Present day Nelson County was a part of Henrico County, one of the eight original shires or counties formed in Virginia in 1634. In 1728, Goochland County was formed from Henrico and in 1744 Albemarle County was formed from Goochland. In 1761, Amherst and Buckingham counties broke away from Albemarle. The capital of Amherst County at that time was located in Cabellsville (near present day Colleen). On 1 Jun 1808, Nelson was formed from Amherst County.
The county was named for Thomas Nelson, Jr., the third Governor of Virginia and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. During the 19th century in the heyday of the river economy, Nelson County flourished with its apple crop, logging mills, and chestnut wood. The turn of the 20th century was the economic high point for Nelson County, after which the economy fell drastically. The widespread use of the automobile and the building of roads decimated the river business.
Famous and historic sons of Nelson County
Click on the following links- A few are not links but Historical Information
- Earl Hamner (1923-2016) - Creator of The Waltons
- Jimmy Fortune (1955 - ) - Country music entertainer
- Dr. William Cabell (1699-1774) - Emigrant and early settler of present-day Nelson County at Warminster
- Major Thomas Massie (1747-1834)- Revolutionary war officer; founder of Nelson County Massie family
- Reverend Robert Rose (1704-1751) - Minister of St. Anne's Parish, Albemarle County; planter, surveyor, doctor, and lawyer
- Othello Wilson (1904-1988) - Nelson County music teacher/principal; performed on CBS radio network
- W.A.R. Goodwin (1869-1939) - Father of Colonial Williamsburg
- Thomas Fortune Ryan (1831-1928) - Owner of Oak Ridge estate; tobacco, insurance, and transportation magnate
- Robert Whitehead (1897-1960) - Member of House of Delegates representing Nelson County
- Wlliam H. Crawford (1772-1834)- U.S. Senator, Candidate for President in 1824
- Peter Cartwright (1785-1872) - Methodist circuit rider; member Illinois General Assembly
- William Cabell Rives (1792-1868) - U.S. Senator, member of Peace Convention of 1861 and Confederate Congress
- Colonel John S. Mosby (1833-1916) - Known as Gray Ghost during Civil War; U.S. consul to Hong Kong
Information related to historic events/occurrences
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- Hurricane Camille
- Ginger Gold apple
- The Civil War and Sheridan's raid
- Jefferson's retreat through Nelson County
- Blue Ridge Railway was the little railroad that could
- Secrets of the BlueRidge: Afton House: A New House of Summer Resort
- It Happened Here: Ole Washington, one of Yakima Valley's Earliest Black Pioneers
Google Earth Virtual Tours