The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-06

The following Information just sent
to this column by J. Hay Couigan, the
distinguished English genealogist, WILL
we know, be OF interest to our readers:
An interesting link between the col
ony Of Virginia and the North OF
England. has recently been establish
ed. by the discovery OF a copy OF the
Will Of the Hon. William Nelson, OF
Yorktown. Va. dated October 6. 17T2
1t has been preserved among the trust
deeds OF the Penrith Presbyterian
Church. Cumberland. and appears to
have come into their possession in the
following circumstances; That con-
sregation had worshipped In hired
room at the Town Head since shortly
after the federation act in 1853. On
New Years Day. 1881, the trustees
sent out AN appeal for donations for
new meeting house. Prior to this
date, negotiations had taken place.
probably on their behalf. but possibly
as an individual speculation. between
George Relph. OF Penrith, n trustee.
and Thomas Nelson, the younger. OF
Yorktown, with respect to the ances-
trail home OF the Nelson's In Rocklire
Lane. Penrith. The property had be-
lonSed to the Hon. William Nelson.
and had evidently been left by him In
1772 to his eldest son. Thomas. with
their vast estates and interests In Vlr-
ginia, thc family would naturally have
little regard for the old home at Pen
rith, and apparently. arrangements
were made for its sale.
In November. IT'S, Thomas Nelson.
the younger-evidently SO described to
distinguish him from his uncle. the
Hon. Thomas Nelson-acknowledge
receipt Of f2l1 from George Relph for
the property, together with the family
pew of the Nelson's (No $50 In ST.
Andrews Church. In March. 1854,
three years after the appeal for new
meeting house had been issued. George
Relph, In consideration Of 600, trans
ferred tho property to the trustees or
the congregation. but retained pew 55
for himself. The meeting house erect
cd in that year stil remains. although
1t Is now a printing house.
Rocklifre Lane has suffered in dig
My through the erection of King
Street, and is now narrow back
street, but at the close of the eish-
teenth century was a wide and prom
inent part of the town The Nelson
home Is described in the trust deed
OF 1854 as ''all that messuage tene-
ment or dwelling house standing In
Rockliffe (now Rowclffe) Lane. be-
tween the dwelling house of Richard
Hull on tho south side. and the houses
and gardens heretofore OF John Adder
ton. but now Of Miss Abbots on the
south and west sides thereof. ana
fronting Rocklite Lane. together with
the yard, garden. and the house in the
said yard. which messuage contains
fourteen yards in front ana fourteen
yards In the rear. and tho said yard
about nine yards square. and held un-
der the Duke OF Portland, by payment
Of yearly free rent OF siXpence and
now In the POSSE sson OF Mrs. Ilbra-
hos 10,
by George Relph Of Thomas Nelson,
Esq"
This location OF the English homo
OF the Nelson's of Virginia Is interest
Ing, when we remember tho great part
they have taken in the affairs OF that
colony. In l67S Thomas Nelson. the
son OF Hugh and Sarah Nelson. was
born at Penrith (these transactions"
N. S.. l., p. 1860.
About tho year 1905 he emigrated
to Virginia He probably sailed from
Whitohaven, us this port at that time
was doing large trade with that col
ony. and the rond between i'enrith
and Whitehaven was then. as It is to-
day, IN important one. Thomas Mol
son died In Virginia in 174b Two OF
his sons, the Hon. William and the
Hon. Thomas. became powerful fac
tors in the colony,f while his grand
son was ono of those who signed tho
Declaration of independence. AS these
particulars arc we'll known, we shall
conflne ourselves to the transcription
OF the copy of the Will recently found.
Attached to tho will is paper hear
Ing the signature OF John, Earl OF
Dunmoro, His Majesty's lieutenpt.
Governor General Of thu colony p1d
dominion Of Virginia. vice ad miralE IF
the same. 1t Is n certificate to ne
effect that Thomas Everard who I'D
copied the will. was clerk OF the court
OF York County. Va. and that full
faith and credit ought to be given to
nil things nttested by him. The seal
(about nm inch in diamotor) OF the
colony is appended. On tho reverse
are the arms OF tho British crown.
snd on the diverse Is the figure Of
cflonist, with his hand on tho head OF
agkneeling Indian. and q Latin motto,