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. ...
