Nelson Tombs

“The Nelson Tombs. This view is from the burial-ground looking down the York River toward Chesapeake Bay. The inscription upon the first monument is in Latin; the following is a translation of it: ‘Here lies, in certain hope of a resurrection in Christ, Thomas Nelson, gentleman, son of Hugo and Sarah Nelson, of Penrith, in the county of Cumberland; born February 20th, A. D. 1677, died October 7th, 1745, aged sixty-eight years.’ The inscription upon the second monument is much longer, and quite eulogistic. William Nelson was president of his majesty’s council in Virginia, and died on the nineteenth of November, 1772, at the age of sixty-one years. No epitaph tells of the many virtues and heroic deeds of him who lies in the obscure vault beyond. History has written them upon the enduring pages of the chronicles of our republic; and in this work his biography and portrait may be found among those of the signers of the Delcaration of Independence."—Lossing, 1851

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