Francis Nash
Brigadier General, Continental Army

Francis Nash was born in 1742 in Prince Edward County, VA.

At an early age he became prominent as a North Carolina merchant, attorney, and justice of the peace; experiences which eventually led to a seat in the North Carolina House of Commons. His brother was Abner Nash.

During the War of the Regulation (1764-71), Nash was a lawyer working in Hillsborough, NC, and was, along with Edmund Fanning, charged and found guilty of extorting money from the local residents. He served as a Captain in the Orange County Militia, and participated in the Battle of Alamance, fighting against the Regulators.

In 1775, the Provincial Congress elected Nash Lieutenant Colonel of the First North Carolina Regiment, Continental Army. After taking part in the expedition to aid Charleston in 1776 and 1777, Nash (now in command of the North Carolina Brigade) marched north to join General George Washington's Army and commanded the 1st North Carolina Regiment at the Battle of Brandywine.

He was mortally wounded while leading his Brigade in the Battle of Germantown on 4 October 1777 and died on 7 October.

Nash was regarded by Washington as a brave and valuable soldier. The governor of North Carolina described him as "the ablest North Carolina officer in the field" and at his death was described as "one of the most enlightened, liberal, and magnanimous gentlemen that ever sacrificed his life for his country."

Honors

The cities of Nashville, TN; Nashville, NC; and Nashville, GA, were named in his honor.

Nash County, NC, and General Nash Elementary School in Towamencin Township, PA, were named in his honor.

Death and Burial

Brigadier General Francis Nash was mortally wounded in action on 4 October and died on 7 October 1777. He is buried at Towamencin Mennonite Churchyard in Kulpsville, PA.