Nelson, William, president of the council and acting governor (1770-1771), was born in Yorktown, Virginia, in 1711, son of Thomas Nelson (1667-1745), who came to America from Penrith in England, on the borders of Scotland, about 1690, and hence was called "Scotch Tom." This Thomas Nelson settled at Yorktown about 1705, where he became the leading merchant. He married Margaret Reade, daughter of Robert Reade, son of Colonel George Reade, who in 1660 owned the site of the place. Thomas Nelson, a son, became secretary of state. William Nelson, another son and subject of this sketch, inherited a great deal of wealth, which he managed largely to increase by his extensive business as a merchant at Yorktown. He married Elizabeth Burwell, daughter of major Nathaniel Burwell. He represented the county of York in the house of burgesses in 1742-44, and in 1745 was promoted to the council of state. He supported the cause of the colony against the stamp act and the revenue act, and as president of the council acted as governor of the colony from the death of Lord Botetourt, October 15, 1770, to the coming of the Earl of Dunmore in August, 1771. During this interval the opposition to the revenue taxes, which had been shorn down to a slight duty on tea, very sensibly declined, and the agitation in the colonies might have died out altogether had not the British ministry raised new issues. Nelson died at Yorktown, November 19, 1772. He was father of General Thomas Nelson, who distinguished himself in the war of the Revolution and was also governor of the State.
