Thomas Nelson Jr., a member of Virginia's aristocratic society, received a degree from Cambridge after a private education in England. He served his colony and country after returning to Virginia, and was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1774. In 1775, he helped create the Virginia Militia and was elected to the Continental Congress, but retired due to health problems in 1777. After returning to military service, he was reelected to Congress in 1779 but retired again due to declining health. In 1781, he became Civil Governor and Commander in Chief of the Virginia Militia, succeeding Thomas Jefferson. General Nelson retired from public service in October of 1781 and died at one of his estates in Hanover County in 1789 at the age of 50.
