Lot 28
Lee, Francis Lightfoot & Thomas Nelson, Jr. Lee (1734-97) and Nelson (1738-89) Signers of the Declaration of Independence from Virginia. Partial Document Signed by Francis Lightfoot Lee ("Francis Lee") and Thomas Nelson ("Tho Nelson Jr"), 4½ x 15 in., n.p., n.d. A deed whereby Thomas Nelson, and William Diggers and his wife Elizabeth sell property to David Jameson. Francis Lee signs as a witness to the transaction. Both Francis Lightfoot Lee and Thomas Nelson, Jr. are very rare.
In 1776, Francis and his brother Richard Henry, attended the Second Continental Congress as delegates from Virginia. They were the only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence. Francis signed on August 2, 1776 (Richard would sign on Sept. 4th).
Thomas Nelson was a wealthy Virginia planter. He also represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress in 1775 at Philadelphia but resigned from Congress in 1777 because of ill health. Once his health was restored, he was appointed brigadier general and commander in chief of Virginia's forces at the battle of Yorktown. Cornwallis had made Nelson's home his headquarters and Nelson's artillery was firing over his home in order not to damage it. When Nelson realized this, he offered a reward to the first gunner to hit his home; a cannon ball still lodged in the wall is evidence of the success of that effort. Nelson succeeded Thomas Jefferson as governor in 1781. (See also another Thomas Nelson, Jr. Document Signed in this section.)
Both Lee and Nelson are very rare.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
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| Realized $19,175 |
