Nelson Family of Virginia
Nelson Family of Virginia
NELSON FAMILY OF VIRGINIA. "Scotch Tom" Nelson (1677–1745) came to Virginia from Penrith, a town on the English side of the Scottish border that then was part of Scotland. Around 1700 he settled at Yorktown, Virginia, and became a wealthy merchant, slave trader, and landholder. His son Thomas (c. 1716–1782) was defeated by Patrick Henry in the first election for governor under the new constitution of Virginia (29 June 1776). Known as "Secretary Nelson," being secretary of the governor's council for thirty years, his elder brother was "President" William Nelson (1711–1772), who was in the Virginia Council from 1744 until his death, president of that body for many years, and ex officio acting governor from the death of Botetourt to the arrival of Dunmore (October 1770–August 1771). Between them, these two brothers dominated the government of pre-Revolutionary Virginia. William's eldest son, Thomas Nelson Jr., was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Two others, Robert and William Nelson Jr. also achieved some eminence.
SEE ALSO Nelson, Thomas; Nelson, William, Jr.
revised by Michael Bellesiles