Nelson, Thomas, Jr. Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Virginia. Document Signed, one page, 11¼ x 15¾ in., York County, Virginia, March 18 1784. Indenture by which Nelson and his wife sell to Nathaniel Nelson for five shillings Virginia Money "all that Lott of Land lying and being in the Town and County of York and known by Numbers…as appears in the plan of the said Town…." Folds expertly reinforced on verso with paper strips; some uneven toning, otherwise, a choice specimen. Accompanied by a transcript.
Thomas Nelson was a wealthy Virginia planter. He represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress in 1775 at Philadelphia but resigned from Congress in 1777 because of ill health. Once his health was restored, he was appointed brigadier general and commander in chief of Virginia's forces at the battle of Yorktown. Cornwallis had made Nelson's home his headquarters and Nelson's artillery was firing over his home in order not to damage it. Nelson offered a reward to the first gunner to hit his home; a cannon ball still lodged in the wall is evidence of the success of that effort. Nelson succeeded Thomas Jefferson as governor in 1781.
(See also in this section the Francis Lightfoot Lee Document Signed, which is also signed by Nelson.) Nelson is very rare.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000.
Purchased from Paul Richards in 1981.
Signers of The Declaration of Independence
