Thomas Nelson (secretary)
Thomas Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia Governor's Council | |
| In office 1745-1775 | |
| Succeeded by | position abolished |
| Member of the House of Burgesses representing York County | |
| In office 1742–1745 Serving with Edward Digges | |
| Preceded by | William Nelson |
| Succeeded by | John Norton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1716 |
| Died | 1782 (aged 65–66) Yorktown, Virginia |
| Spouse | Lucy Armistead |
| Parent(s) | Thomas "Scotch Tom" Nelson, Margaret Reade |
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Thomas Nelson (1716 – 1782) was an American merchant, planter and politician from Yorktown, Virginia, who served in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly during the colonial period, as well as the colony's deputy secretary (responsible for land records). He advocated for the colony's interests against British policies under the last colonial governor, and served as the last president of the Governor's Council. Although he refused to sit on its successor and retired from public life citing his age and infirmities, Nelson's sons served in the patriot armies and he witnessed the destruction of his house (which had become British General Cornwallis' headquarters) during the final Battle of Yorktown.