Thomas Nelson Chapter, NSDAR
Our Chapter History
The
Thomas Nelson Chapter, National
Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized on June 18, 1928.
The organizing members chose the name, Thomas Nelson, as a tribute to the signer
of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Virginia.
We are the proud descendants of those spirited men and women who aided in the fight for American Independence. We believe in patriotic, historic, and educational ideals as embodied in the motto, "God, Home, and Country."
Who
was Thomas Nelson?
General Thomas Nelson, Jr., was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and a member of the Continental Congress. He was born December 26, 1738, at Yorktown, Virginia. He married Lucy Grymes on July 29, 1762, and they had eleven children. Thomas Nelson died January 4, 1789, at "Offley," Hanover County, Virginia, and was buried in the cemetery of Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown.
He entered Eton College in England when he was fourteen years old and was subsequently graduated from Cambridge. He was an active member of the State Constitutional Convention and was elected Governor of Virginia in 1781. At the siege of Yorktown, he commanded the Virginia Militia. According to family legend, General Nelson directed fire against his own house because he believed it served as headquarters of General Cornwallis. It was there on October 19, 1781, that General Cornwallis surrendered.
The following is the inscription on his tomb:Gen. Thomas Nelson, Jr.
1738-1789
Patriot, Soldier, Christian Gentleman
Mover of the Resolution of May 15, 1776 in the
Virginia Convention, Instructing her Delegates in
Congress to move that body to Declare the Colonies
Free and Independent States. Signer of the
Declaration of Independence, was Governor of
Virginia, Commander of Virginia Forces.
He gave all for Liberty.
Virginia has honored Thomas Nelson, Jr., by placing his statue with those of five other patriots on the Washington monument in Richmond, Virginia.
Today we, the members of the Thomas Nelson Chapter, NSDAR, are honored to remember the strength of character and sense of patriotism of this special person.
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Webmaster: M.E.Campbell
Last updated May 20, 2007
