Nelson, Thomas, 1738-1789

Thomas Nelson Jr. (December 26, 1738 – January 4, 1789) was an American soldier and statesman from Yorktown, Virginia, and is considered one of the U.S. Founding Fathers. In addition to serving in the Virginia General Assembly for many terms, he twice represented Virginia in the Continental Congress. Fellow Virginia legislators elected him to serve as the commonwealth's governor in 1781. He signed the Declaration of Independence as a member of the Virginia delegation and fought in the militia during the siege of Yorktown.

Born in Yorktown, he was sent to England for his education. He attended Newcome's School before entering Christ's College at Cambridge University in 1758. He graduated in 1760 and returned to Virginia the following year. Upon returning to Virginia, Nelson assisted his father in the operation of his several plantations, which depended on the labor of enslaved African Americans. York County voters elected Nelson to the Virginia House of Burgesses as a young man in 1761; he succeeded Robert Carter Nicholas in this part-time position. He was a member of the Virginia provincial convention in 1775, and there he undertook the creation of the Virginia Militia. He then assumed duty as its first Commander. Shortly thereafter he was elected to the Continental Congress, signing the Declaration of Independence. Nelson began suffering health problems in 1777 and thought best to retire to his native state. He resumed his military service, much to the benefit of both Virginia and his health. He was reelected to Congress in 1779 but his health again declined and he returned to Virginia several months later.

Nelson represented York County in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1777 to 1781, relinquishing his legislative seat upon being elected governor of Virginia in June 1781. Nelson was engaged in the final Siege of Yorktown between September and October 1781. He was again elected to the House of Delegates from York County, servoing from 1782 to 1784 and from 1786 to 1788. Nelson died at his son's home in Hanover County, Virginia, and is buried in the Grace Churchyard at Yorktown.