Thomas Nelson, Jr.
| Thomas Nelson Jr. | |
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Engraving by H.B. Hall
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| 4th Governor of Virginia | |
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In office June 12, 1781 – November 22, 1781 |
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| Preceded by | William Fleming (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Harrison V |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 26, 1738 Yorktown, Colony of Virginia, British North America |
| Died | January 4, 1789 (aged 50) Hanover County, Virginia, United States |
| Resting place | Grace Episcopal Churchyard, Yorktown |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Grymes |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| Profession | Planter, soldier, statesman |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Signature |  |
Thomas Nelson Jr. (December 26, 1738 – January 4, 1789) was an American planter, soldier, and statesman from Yorktown, Virginia. He represented Virginia in the Continental Congress and was its Governor in 1781. He is regarded as one of the U.S. Founding Fathers since he signed the Declaration of Independence as a member of the Virginia delegation.
Nelson was the grandson of Thomas "Scotch Tom" Nelson, an immigrant from Cumberland, England, who was an early pioneer at Yorktown. His parents were Elizabeth (Burwell) and William Nelson, who was also a leader of the colony and briefly served as governor. Thomas was born at Yorktown, and like many Virginians of his time, was educated in England. He attended Newcome's School for six years and was at Eton in 1754, before entering Christ's College at Cambridge University in 1758. He graduated in 1760 and returned home the following year. He helped his father with his farm at this time.
Thomas was first elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1761. The following year he married Lucy Grymes (her maternal uncle was Peyton Randolph, a brother-in-law of Congressman Benjamin Harrison V; her paternal aunt was the mother of "Light Horse Harry" Lee). The couple would have eleven children altogether. Their son Hugh Nelson (1768–1836) would later serve in the U.S. Congress.
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