University of Virginia Library

ROBERT W. NELSON, M. D.

Is a native Virginian of illustrious descent, his great grandfather, Gen.
Thomas Nelson, having served in the Revolutionary war and was one
of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Dr. Nelson was
born in Albemarle county June 27, 1822, and is a son of Judge Hugh
Nelson, of Yorktown, Va., who died in Albemarle county in 1836, a
son of the Gen. Nelson alluded to above as connected with our nation's
history. He was educated first by private tutors, then attended the
high school near Alexandria, and then studied medicine at the University
of Virginia and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating
from the Jefferson College in 1846, and since that time has been
in constant practice, twenty years in Powhatan county before the war,
and since then has practiced in Albemarle county. He belongs to
the Virginia State Medical Society and is a member of the A. F. and
A. M. Dr. Nelson was married in Hanover county, this state, July
26, 1844, to Virginia L. Nelson, of that county, and their union has
been blessed with eight children, three of whom are now deceased,
Dr. H. T. Nelson, Susan P., Robert, William, and Eliza K.; Nancy,
Caroline and Ida are deceased. Dr. Nelson and his wife are members
of the Protestant Episcopal church and have reared their family in
that faith. For further history of the Nelsons of Virginia see general

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