Nelson, William, 1711-1772

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William Nelson was the son of Thomas Nelson who arrived in Yorktown, Va., from England in 1705. Thomas was a successful merchant whose business concerns passed to his son William upon his death. William operated a sizeable business both retail and wholesale. His main store was located on Main Street in Yorktown. Others were located on the waterfront. In addition to being a successful merchant, William was a prominent leader in Virginia politics. As President of the Governor's Council, Nelson served as acting governor following the death of Lord Botetourt and until the arrival of Lord Dunmore. He was active in efforts to drain the Great Dismal Swamp. Together with his brother Thomas, he owned a house on Francis Street in Williamsburg. Upon William's death in 1772 the mercantile business passed to his sons Thomas and Hugh. Thomas and Hugh took Augustine Moore into the partnership which became Thomas Nelson, Junr. and Company. Moore had been in the business since 1746 when he apprenticed to William Nelson. The Revolutionary War and Thomas Nelson's involvement, he served in Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence, served as governor of Virginia and led Virginia forces in battle, led to the demise of the company. In 1777, Moore placed an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette announcing the dissolution of the company.

From the description of William Nelson ledger and daybook, 1767-1784. (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation). WorldCat record id: 379066921

Merchant, planter, and Virginia colonial official.

From the description of Papers of William Nelson, 1743-1771. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79454395

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn A Guide to the Dunmore Proclamations, 1771-1772 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Nelson, William, 1711-1772. Correspondence [manuscript], 1771 April 6-June 24. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Waller Family Papers, 1737-1912. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
creatorOf Nelson family. Letter book of William and Thomas Nelson [manuscript], 1766-1775. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Assignment of Bond, 1789 September 1 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Baylor family. Papers of the Baylor family [manuscript], 1662-1867. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Barbour, James, 1775-1842. Walker family papers [manuscript] 1753-1873 (bulk 1816-1853). University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Anderson, Robert,. Papers of the Burwell family [manuscript], 1761-1845. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Dunmore, John Murray, Earl of, 1732-1809. Proclamations, 1771 October 12-1772 February 8. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Francis Jerdone Cargo Wastebook, 1748-1749. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Nelson, William, 1711-1772. Papers of William Nelson, 1743-1771. Library of Congress
referencedIn Waller family. Papers, 1737-1912. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn John Norton & Sons. Papers, 1750-1902, bulk 1763-1798. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Nelson family. Nelson family papers, 1743-1777 (bulk 1775-1860). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Order of Council, 1754 Feb 10. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Nelson, William, 1711-1772. Grant, 1771 February 16. William & Mary Libraries
creatorOf York County (Va.). Papers, 1665-1862. William & Mary Libraries
creatorOf Barbour, James, 1775-1842. Virginia documents, 1770-1913. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Nelson, Hugh, 1750-1800. Assignment of bond, 1789 September 1. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Virginia. Governor's council. Order of Council, 1754 February 10. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Gilpin family. Papers, 1727-1872. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Nelson family. Papers of the Nelson family [manuscript], 1739-1837. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Nelson, William, 1711-1772. William Nelson ledger and daybook, 1767-1784. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Burwell family. Papers of the Burwell family, 1761-1845. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Badeau, Adam. Tucker-Ewell papers, 1770-1893, 1770-1818. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Phripp, Matthew, d. 1780. Receipts and accounts, 1778-1798, for the estate of Matthew Phripp, deceased. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Jerdone, Francis, 1721-1777. Cargo waste book, 1748-1749. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Ambler, Jaquelin, 1742-1798. person
associatedWith Bassett, Burwell, d. 1793. person
associatedWith Baylor family. family
associatedWith Biers, William. person
associatedWith Burwell, Carter, 1716-1756 person
associatedWith Burwell family. family
associatedWith Burwell, Nathaniel, 1750-1814. person
associatedWith Burwell, Robert, 1720-1777. person
associatedWith Byrd, William, 1728-1777. person
associatedWith Charlton, Edward, d. 1792. person
associatedWith Craig, Thomas, fl. 1771. person
associatedWith Davenport, Joseph, d. 1788. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Dismal Swamp Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Dorchester, Guy Carleton, Baron, 1724-1808 person
associatedWith Dunmore, John Murray, Earl of, 1732-1809. person
associatedWith Fauquier, Francis, 1704?-1768 person
associatedWith Gatewood, William. person
associatedWith Gilpin family. family
associatedWith Great Britain. Army corporateBody
associatedWith Grymes, Philip, person
associatedWith Harwood, Humphrey, d. 1788. person
associatedWith Hay, Anthony, d. 1770. person
associatedWith Jerdone, Francis, 1721-1777. person
associatedWith John Norton & Sons. corporateBody
associatedWith Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794. person
associatedWith Lightfoot, William, 1724-1764 person
associatedWith Moody, William. person
associatedWith Moore, Augustine, d. 1788. person
correspondedWith Nelson family. family
associatedWith Nelson family. family
associatedWith Nelson family. family
associatedWith Nelson, Hugh person
associatedWith Nelson, Hugh, 1750-1800. person
associatedWith Nelson, Thomas, 1738-1789. person
associatedWith Nelson, William, 1760-1813. person
associatedWith Nicholas, Robert Carter, 1728-1780. person
associatedWith Norton, John Hatley, 1745-1797. person
associatedWith Phripp, Matthew, d. 1780. person
associatedWith Prentis, John, 1729-1775. person
associatedWith Thomas Nelson, Jun. and Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Thruston, Charles Mynn, 1738-1812. person
associatedWith Virginia. Council. corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia. Governor's council. corporateBody
associatedWith Vobe, Jane. person
associatedWith Waller, Benjamin, 1716-1786. person
associatedWith Waller family. family
associatedWith Waller Family. family
associatedWith Warrington, Thomas, d. 1770. person
associatedWith Wormeley, Ralph, 1744-1806. person
associatedWith Wray, Mary. person
associatedWith York County (Va.) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Amherst County (Va.)
Virginia
Virginia--Amherst County
Virginia--Yorktown
Subject
Land grants
Real property
Occupation
Merchants
Merchants
Plantation owners
Public officials
Activity

Person

Birth 1711

Death 1772-11-19

Information

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SNAC ID: 51177074