Thomas "Scotch Tom" NELSON
Biography

Scotch Tom Nelson's youth and training occurred in England but little is known. At eighteen, he went to Whitehavon Port and made his first voyage to Virginia in 1695, and again in 1698 and 1700. He returns finally in 1705 to Yorktown to stay. His mercantile experience must have been successful, and was working with a power of attorney in the court. In the next few years he had firmly established himself, built building to include a frame house on Lot 52, where the current Nelson House is standing. He built a mercantile business across the street from his home. He married Margaret, daughter to John Reade of York County in 1710. In 1711, the year his first son was born, William, he was sworn in as a justice of the York County Court. In the summer of 1711, he furnished supplies for the fortification of Yorktown. As time went by he purchased more and more Yorktown lots. Between 1711 and 1715 the office of justice was added to his role. He purchased a 215 acre farm near in the spring of 1715 from Benjamin Reade. In January 1716 he operated a ferry with John Roberts, between Yorktown and Tindal's Point. His family continued growing with the birth of Thomas in 1716. In March of 1715 he became of charter member of the Virginia Land Company. In 1716 he was made a trustee of the port and land of Yorktown, which included management and sale of public land. He continues to include purchasing more lots and a 3,270 acre land parcel being the forks of the "Pamunkey River between ye little & Newfound RIvers in New Kent County..." He was also a planter as in one case he acquired 21 indentured servants in Great Britain, possibly from Ireland. By 1719, he was considered one Governor Spottswood's favorites and confidants. Spottswood removal, for obscure reasons, did not help Nelson in trying out politics. Nelson's business success grows and in August, 1719, he and Joseph Walker, purchase Lot 25, where they build "Swan Tavern." As early as 1720, he was involved with the West India trade. In September of 1720, he and John Martin and Thomas Jones fitted out the sloop, "The Martha," load it with pork, Indian corn, and other goods valued at 1200 lbs sterling and sent her to Barbados. In 1722 he sent his son (11), William, to England to complete training. This same year he became sheriff and reappointed the next year. His wife, Margaret dies between 1719 and 1723. He remarries Frances Tucker, wide of Robert Tucker of Norfolk. A daughter, Sarah, is probably born with the next year. He continues to prosper acquiring 600 acres in Charles Parish of York County. In the summer of 1728, he petitioned the Council for permission to build a warehouse and wharf at Yorktown, located directly opposite his Main Street house and store. He also was operating two mills in the county. He broadens his activities again and acquired interest in an iron mine near Fredericksburg along with Governor William Gooch and two others. His son, William, in the spring 1741, was elected to the House of Burgess, representing York County. Son, Thomas Jr, in April, 1743, was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Colony. On August 6, 1745 Thomas Nelson, Sr. filed his will. Two months later on October 7, he died.
(Ref: The Nelson: A Biographic Study of a Virginia Family in the Eighteenth Century, by Emory Gibbo Evans, C-1957).

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