By William "Bennett" White, Spring 2023  

Joseph Nelson was born about 1845. He was most likely born into slavery in Suffolk, Virginia and came to Norfolk, VA to enlist. 

 According to the 1870 US Census, Nelson returned to Norfolk after the war and was employed as a driver (most likely a stagecoach driver) and was married to Margaret Nelson. By 1880, Nelson was listed as a laborer and still married to Margaret Nelson. They had five children: Robert, Frank, Joseph, Edward, and Sarah Nelson. By 1900, Nelson was living in Ward 1 in Norfolk and working as an undertaker. He continued working as an undertaker until his death in 1912.

Sources:

Full Name: Joseph Nelson

Also Known as:

Birth Date: Abt. 1845

Birthplace: Suffolk, Virginia

Parents: Toney and Sallie Nelson

Ethnicity:

Race: African American

Spouse: Mary (Margaret) Nelson

Children: Robert, Frank, Joseph, Edward, and Sarah Nelson

Marriage Date:

Marriage Place:

Death Date: January 21, 1912

Death Place: Norfolk, VA

Burial Date:

Burial Place: West Point Cemetery, Norfolk, VA

Major Keywords/Search Terms:

Joseph Nelson | Norfolk, VA | United States Colored Troops | 43rd Regiment, United States Colored Infantry |

Sources:

1. Primary Sources:

1. 1. Books and Pamphlets:

City Directories:

1. 2. Documents/Collections:

"Nelson, Joseph - Age 20, Year: 1863 - 1st US Colored Cavalry"

Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office; Series: Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the American Civil War https://catalog.archives.gov/id/38804267  

Year: 1870; Census Place: Norfolk Ward 4, Norfolk, Virginia; Roll: M593_1666; Page: 231A

Year: 1880; Census Place: Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia; Roll: 1381; Page: 402B; Enumeration District: 071

Year: 1900; Census Place: Norfolk Ward 1, Norfolk City, Virginia; Roll: 1735; Page: 10; Enumeration District: 0086; FHL microfilm: 1241735

Year: 1910; Census Place: Norfolk Ward 2, Norfolk (Independent City), Virginia; Roll: T624_1637; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0028; FHL microfilm: 1375650

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1. 8. Websites:

• • • National Park Service, “The Civil War: Battle Unit Details,” Last modified (n. d.), Accessed on March 17, 2023, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UUS0043RI00C 

    • https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73481157/joseph-nelson 

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1. Secondary Sources:

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