The future Governor of Virginia was born at Yorktown in 1738, 43 years before his greatest achievement, his return to his home county to defeat the British in 1781 which put an end to the fighting of the American Revolution.

Nelson was born in York County where he was tutored and raised to assume a place at the top of Virginia society. He was later to own extensive plantations and over 400 slaves.

Nelson’s education continued in England where he graduated from Cambridge University. His life upon his return was that of a successful mercantile trader and plantation owner. He married and produced 11 children. Nelson’s social standing also positioned him to hold elective office. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1764 to 1774 and for a time as local Justice of the Peace. Among his public duties, Nelson also found time to serve as a colonel in the Virginia militia.

Like many of his contemporaries who were highly placed in society, Nelson took an active role in military affairs. Not only did he personally serve, but he also raised money and offered guarantees of cash to outfit Virginia units. It is difficult to find contemporary social elites who actively serve in the military or place their children in such situations. One exception may be the Virginian, George S. Patton who came from a wealthy family, but chose to participate in active service during the second world war.

Nelson continued to serve Virginia when the House of Burgesses was dissolved by being active in various conventions that substituted for British representative government. Indeed, Nelson was outspoken in opposition to Britain and introduced the resolution that recommended independence from the mother country. The bill passed and a draft for independence was written by Edmund Pendleton (Caroline County native). Nelson carried the resolution to Philadelphia and the Continental Congress where Richard Henry Lee introduced the bill. It was the touchstone for American independence.

Nelson was a delegate in the national assembly, but recurring illness limited his work and forced him to return to Virginia in 1777. Even though not in the best of health, Nelson served in the lower house of the legislature, raised a cavalry unit mostly at his own expense and served as brigadier general.

By 1781 the civilian government was in disarray due to a British invasion of Virginia. The legislature voted to make Nelson governor with almost dictatorial powers to fight the invaders. Hampered by ill health, Nelson nonetheless reorganized Virginia government and strengthened the Commonwealth’s defenses.

Nelson was on home ground when the war came to Yorktown. The French and American forces placed the British army under siege and Nelson lead the Virginia units in the operation. When learning that British commanders were using his own home—behind enemy lines—as a headquarters, Nelson ordered that the structure be shelled. The successful Yorktown siege and battles ended the fighting in Virginia and brought the revolution to a successful end.

Nelson retired soon after Yorktown and went to live at Offley Hoo, a family home in Hanover County. There he tried to restore some of his personal finances which had been wrecked by his service and sacrifice during the revolution. Nelson died in 1789, 50 years old, a hero of the revolution and a dedicated public servant.

Those wishing to honor the Virginia hero may do so by visiting his grave in Yorktown at Grace Episcopal Church.