Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Secretary Nelson’s House

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Secretary Nelson’s House Marker

Inscription. Thomas, a son of "Scotch Tom," who established the Nelson family in Yorktown, was for many years Secretary for the Colony of Virginia. This comfortable and spacious home attracted Lord Cornwallis who needed a headquarters near his main defenses on the east side of town. The British commander remained here through much of the siege — until Allied gunners made the house untenable. Its foundations are to your left.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.

Location. 37° 13.895′ N, 76° 30.361′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It is on Zweybrucken Road 0.1 miles south of Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 Zweybrucken Rd, Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is

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in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yorktown (here, next to this marker); Home of Thomas Nelson (a few steps from this marker); Cornwallis Headquarters (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Yorktown (about 500 feet away); British Inner Defense Line (about 500 feet away); Victory Monument (about 600 feet away); The Hornwork (about 600 feet away); Yorktown Victory Monument (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Also see . . . Secretary Nelson’s Property. Yorktown Preservation Society (Submitted on February 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Secretary Nelson’s House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.