On July 4, 1816, Representative Thomas Gholson, Jr. (DR) of died in office. A special election was held to fill the resulting vacancy on October 10, 21âÂÂ23, and 28, 1816 (each of the three districts within the 18th district held their election on a different day).
Nelson took his seat on December 4, 1816, at the start of the 2nd session of the 14th Congress.