Thomas Nelson Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Nelson Jr.
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Engraving by Henry Bryan Hall
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| 4th Governor of Virginia | |
| In office June 12, 1781 – November 22, 1781 |
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| Preceded by | William Fleming (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Harrison V |
| Virginia House of Burgesses representing York County | |
| In office 1761–1775 Serving with Dudley Digges
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| Preceded by | Robert Carter Nicholas |
| Succeeded by | Corbin Griffin |
| Virginia Ratification Conventions representing York County | |
| In office 1775–1777 Serving with Dudley Digges
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| Virginia Representative to the Continental Congress | |
| In office 1775–1777 Serving with Carter Braxton, Thomas Jefferson, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, George Wythe
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| Preceded by | Patrick Henry |
| Succeeded by | John Banister |
| Virginia Representative to the Continental Congress | |
| In office 1779–1780 Serving with William Fitzhugh, Thomas Adams, Cyrus Griffin, John Harvie, Arthur Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard Henry Lee, James Mercer, Edmund Jennings Randolph, Meriwether Smith
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| Preceded by | John Banister |
| Succeeded by | James Henry |
| Virginia House of Delegates representing York County | |
| In office May 5, 1777 – June 1781 Serving with Joseph Prentis, William Reynolds
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| Preceded by | William Digges |
| Succeeded by | unclear |
| Virginia House of Delegates representing York County | |
| In office May 1782 – May 2, 1784 Serving with Joseph Prentis
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| Preceded by | unclear |
| Succeeded by | Nathaniel Nelson |
| Virginia House of Delegates representing York County | |
| In office October 16, 1786 – June 22, 1788 Serving with Joseph Prentis
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| Preceded by | Nathaniel Nelson |
| Succeeded by | William Nelson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 26, 1738 Yorktown, Colony of Virginia, British America |
| Died | January 4, 1789 (aged 50) Hanover County, Virginia, United States |
| Resting place | Grace Episcopal Churchyard, Yorktown |
| Spouse | Lucy Grymes |
| Relations | Thomas "Scotch Tom" Nelson (grandfather) Robert Carter I (great-grandfather) |
| Children | Hugh Nelson |
| Parents | William Nelson Elizabeth Burwell |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| Profession | Planter, soldier, statesman |
| Signature |  |
Thomas Nelson Jr. (born December 26, 1738 – died January 4, 1789) was an important American soldier and leader from Yorktown, Virginia. He is known as one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S.
He served in the Virginia government for many years. He also represented Virginia twice in the Continental Congress. In 1781, other Virginia lawmakers chose him to be the state's governor.
Thomas Nelson Jr. signed the Declaration of Independence. He also fought as a soldier during the important Siege of Yorktown.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Thomas Nelson Jr. was born in Yorktown in 1738. His grandfather, Thomas "Scotch Tom" Nelson, came from England and was one of the first settlers in Yorktown.
His parents were Elizabeth Carter Burwell and William Nelson. His father was a leader in the colony and even served as governor for a short time.
Like many young men from wealthy families in Virginia, Thomas Nelson Jr. went to England for his education. He studied at Newcome's School and then at Christ's College at Cambridge University. He finished his studies in 1760 and returned to Virginia the next year.
Managing Plantations
When he came back to Virginia, Thomas Nelson Jr. helped his father manage their family's large farms, called plantations. These farms relied on the work of people who were not free.
After he married Lucy Grymes Burwell, he also helped manage the properties she had from her first marriage.
Political Career and Public Service
York County voters chose Thomas Nelson Jr. to join the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1761. This was a part-time job. He served with another experienced leader, Dudley Digges, for his first six terms.
Virginia Conventions
As people in Virginia became unhappy with British rule, Thomas Nelson Jr. and Dudley Digges were chosen to represent York County. They attended five important meetings, called conventions, before Virginia became a state. These meetings helped plan for Virginia's independence.
Thomas Nelson Jr. had to leave the last convention early. He went to attend the Continental Congress.
Serving in the Continental Congress
Thomas Nelson Jr. served in the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776. He had to leave for a while because he became ill. After he got better, he was elected again and served another year.
During his time in Congress, he also helped Virginia create its own constitution in 1776. He returned to Congress just in time to sign the Declaration of Independence that summer.
On June 12, 1776, Thomas Nelson Jr. was one of 13 people chosen in the Continental Congress. Their job was to "prepare and digest the form of confederation." They helped write the Articles of Confederation, which was the first plan for how the states would work together.
Military Leadership and Governor
Thomas Nelson Jr. became a brigadier general in the Lower Virginia Militia. He then became the governor of Virginia in June 1781, taking over from Thomas Jefferson.
He played a key role in the final Siege of Yorktown. This was a very important battle that helped America win the Revolutionary War.
There's a famous story that he told General George Washington to fire cannons at his own home, the Nelson House. This was because General Cornwallis had set up his headquarters there. Thomas Nelson Jr. supposedly offered money to the first soldier who hit his house.
After being governor, Thomas Nelson Jr. was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates again. He continued to serve his state in various roles until 1788.
Death and Legacy
Thomas Nelson Jr. passed away on January 4, 1789, at his son's home in Hanover County, Virginia. He is buried in the Grace Churchyard in Yorktown. He was a member of Grace Church.
Colonel Innes, a friend, spoke highly of him after his death. He said that Thomas Nelson Jr. was a great and good man. He was a true patriot who loved freedom and worked hard to defeat British rule. He was brave and determined, especially during the difficult year of 1781 when he led Virginia as governor and helped save the country.
Honors and Memorials
- Nelson County, Virginia, and Nelson County, Kentucky, are named after him.
- A college, Thomas Nelson Community College, was named in his honor in 1967. However, its name was changed in 2022.
- Thomas Nelson High School opened in 2012 in Nelson County, Kentucky.
- The Nelson House in Yorktown, Virginia, was built by his grandfather, "Scotch Tom" Nelson. Thomas Nelson Jr. lived there during the Revolutionary War. It is now a National Historical Landmark and part of the Colonial National Historical Park.
See also
