"William Nelson, of Yorktown, York County, Virginia, President of the Dominion of Virginia, and known as President Nelson, eldest son and child of Thomas Nelson, known as Scotch Tom, of England, and the same place, progenitor of the Nelson Family in Virginia, and Margaret Reid, his first wife, was born there in 1711, and died there 19th November, 1882, aged 61 years. He was buried in the Episcopal churchyard, at Yorktown, Virginia."
"From the above epitaph (see below) it appears that he was President of the Council a short time before, or at the time of, his death. He had also been President of the Dominion. According to Bishop Meade, Vol.I, op, cit., p. 205, he was "called President Nelson, because so often President of the Council, and at one time President of the Colony." His "Majesty's Council" in the inscription, refers, of course, to the Colonial Council of His Majesty, George II. or George III."
"The correspondent of the New York Herald, writing from Yorktown 19th September, 1881, says, in regard to the inscription of President Nelson's tombstone: "The epitaph of William Nelson, the father of the Revolutionary patriot Gov. Nelson), is lengthy, and, in its terms, superlative enough to fit a George Washington.""
"His portrait, three-quarter length, is in the Nelson House, at Yorktown Virginia." (Note, now removed to Williamsburg)
"William Nelson, of Yorktown, York County, Virginia, President of the Dominion of Virginia, and known as President Nelson, eldest son and child of Thomas Nelson, known as Scotch Tom, of England, and the same place, progenitor of the Nelson Family in Virginia, and Margaret Reid, his first wife, was born there in 1711, and died there 19th November, 1882, aged 61 years. He was buried in the Episcopal churchyard, at Yorktown, Virginia."
"From the above epitaph (see below) it appears that he was President of the Council a short time before, or at the time of, his death. He had also been President of the Dominion. According to Bishop Meade, Vol.I, op, cit., p. 205, he was "called President Nelson, because so often President of the Council, and at one time President of the Colony." His "Majesty's Council" in the inscription, refers, of course, to the Colonial Council of His Majesty, George II. or George III."
"The correspondent of the New York Herald, writing from Yorktown 19th September, 1881, says, in regard to the inscription of President Nelson's tombstone: "The epitaph of William Nelson, the father of the Revolutionary patriot Gov. Nelson), is lengthy, and, in its terms, superlative enough to fit a George Washington.""
"His portrait, three-quarter length, is in the Nelson House, at Yorktown Virginia." (Note, now removed to Williamsburg)
Inscription
Here lies the body of the Honourable WILLIAM NELSON Esquire late President of His Majesty's Council in this Dominion. In whom the love of man and the love of God so restrained and enfored each other and so invigorate the mental powers in general as not only to defense him from the vices of follies of his country but also to renter it a mater of difficult decisions in what part of laudable conduct be most excelled. Whether in the tender and endearing accomplishments of domestic life or in the more active duties of a wider curcuit As a neighbor, a gentleman or a magistrate whether in the graces of hospitality, or in the possession of piety. Reader if you feel the spirit of that excellent ardour which aspires to the felicity of conscious virtue animated by those consolations and devine admonitions, perform the task and expect the distinction of the righteous man. He died the 19th of November, Anno Domini 1772. Aged 61.
