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William Nelson (governor)

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William Nelson
portrait by Robert Feke
Colonial Governor of Virginia
In office
1770–1771
MonarchGeorge III
Preceded byNorborne Berkeley, baron de Botetourt
Succeeded byJohn Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
Personal details
Born1711
Yorktown, Virginia
DiedNovember 19, 1772
Yorktown, Virginia
NationalityAmerican
SpouseElizabeth Burwell
ChildrenThomas Nelson Jr., Reverend Samuel Nelson, Amos Nelson; Mary Nelson, Ebenezer Nelson, Robert Nelson, Dr Nathaniel Nelson, Col. Hugh Nelson, Hon. William Nelson, Jr, Elizabeth Nelson Thompson, James Alexander Nelson and Robert Nelson
ParentThomas "Scotch Tom" Nelson

William Nelson (1711 – November 19, 1772) was an American planter, politician, and colonial leader from Yorktown, Virginia. In the interim between the royal governors Norborne Berkeley and Lord Dunmore, he served as governor of colonial Virginia in 1770 and 1771.[1]

Biography

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Nelson was the son of Thomas "Scotch Tom" Nelson, the immigrant ancestor from Cumbria, who built Nelson House at his plantation in about 1730.[2]

After his father died in 1745, William Nelson became a member of the Governor's Council. He also went on to serve in the Virginia General Assembly and as a judge.[3]

In the years leading up to the American Revolution, Nelson was an active supporter of the Patriot cause. Among his children was his son, Thomas Nelson Jr., who was active in revolutionary politics, one of thirteen representatives who drafted the Articles of Confederation, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a future governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the new United States of America.

His children (in order of age) Reverend Samuel Nelson; Amos Nelson; Mary Nelson; Ebenezer Nelson; Gen. Thomas Nelson, signer of the "Declaration of Independence"; Keranhappuch Nelson Biard; Robert Nelson; Dr Nathaniel Nelson; Col. Hugh Nelson; Hon. William Nelson, Jr; Elizabeth Nelson Thompson; James Alexander Nelson and Robert Nelson remained important in aristocratic society after his death.

References

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  1. ^ Van Horne, John C., ed. (1975). The Correspondence of William Nelson as Acting Governor of Virginia, 1770-1771. Charlottesville: Published for the Virginia Historical Society [by] the University Press of Virginia. ISBN 0813905850.
  2. ^ "Nelson House". National Park Service. August 9, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "The Nelsons of Yorktown". Yorktown Preservation Society. Retrieved December 10, 2023.

"Carter, Charles. "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Enjoying Territorial Possessions Or High Official Rank: But Uninvested with Heritable Honours"". Retrieved 2022-11-01. "Carter, Charles. "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Enjoying Territorial Possessions Or High Official Rank: But Uninvested with Heritable Honours"". Retrieved 2022-11-01.