Edward Nelson, son of James Nelson, of Essex, near London, England, was born 1690. His parents dying while he was young, he was cared for by an uncle, who had among his acquaintances a sea captain. The pictures of adventure so dazzled the imagination of Edward that when he was only 14 years old he ran away from home to sail with this captain. He followed the sea for fourteen years, becoming captain of a vessel. He oame to Virginia and settled on Little River, Hanover County, about 1718. He married Mary, daughter of Edward and Jane (Jennings) Garland in 1719

Edward Nelson, son of James Nelson, of Essex County, England, was born A. D. 1690. He had one sister, Elizabeth, older than himself, their parents dying when they were very young. They resided with an uncle who lived in a small village near London. Edward Nelson in boyhood was of an erratic disposition and in consequence of the harshness of his uncle and guardian became tired of school. Making the acquaintance of the captain of an English merchantman, he became quite fond of him, and the captain returned this affection. On one occasion, when the vessel lay in port, and whilst young Edward was allowed a vacation from studies, the captain, by glowing accounts of the pleasures of a sailor's life, so fired the imagination of his youthful friend that Edward determined to accompany him on his next voyage. Having preconcerted an arrangement with the captain, he, one Sunday morning, feigned sickness in order to remain at home whilst his uncle and family attended church. In their absence he made up a small bundle of clothing, and avoiding the observation of the servants, succeeded in getting on board the vessel which sailed a few hours afterwards. At that period he was only fourteen years of age. After an adventurous life of fourteen years upon the ocean, during which he visited almost every port of the then known world, he landed in Virginia and settled on Little River, in the county of Hanover, then called New Kent. During his voyage he had the misfortune to lose one of his eyes. The year after landing in Virginia he married Mary Garland, the second daughter of Edward and Jane Garland, who had settled in that county many years prior to that time. Issue, among others, James Nelson, who married in 1750 Keziah Harris. Issue, among others, Peter Carr Nelson, who married, December 4, 1789, Nancy Lawrence. Issue, among others, James Henry Nelson, who moved to Holly Springs, Miss., and married, November 26, 1840, Maria Courtney Goodrich (James). Issue, among others, William Cowper Nelson, who married, March 26, 1867, at Centenary Church, Richmond, Va. Mary Louisa Armistead, Daughter of Robert A. Armistead and Martha Anne Savage, of Hampton, Va. Issue: Martha Armistead Nelson; Maria Courtney Nelson, died June 17, 1871, Richmond, Va.; James Henry Nelson, died September 4, 1872, Nashville, Tenn.; William Clarence Nelson, died May 14, 1876, Nashville, Tenn.; Mary Louise Nelson; Robert Armistead Nelson; Virginia Garber Nelson; Kinlock Falconer Nelson, died July 9, 1885, Nashville, Tenn.; Wilbur Armistead Nelson.