William Cabell, American planter, public official. member Virginia House of Burgesses, 1757-1775; member Virginia Committee of Safety; member Virginia Senate, 1776-1781, Virginia House of Representatives, 1781-1783, 87-88.
Background
Cabell was born in Licking Hole, Goochland County, Virginia. He was the eldest son of physician and surveyor William Cabell (1699–1774) and Elizabeth Burks Cabell (1705–1756). Home schooled, Cabell joined his father as a vestryman of St. Anne's Parish, Albemarle County, Virginia in 1751, and two years later was officially appointed a surveyor in his own right.
Career
Early Cabell married Margaret Jordan in 1756, the same year he began his political career as a delegate in the House of Burgesses. He continuously served in successive assemblies until Lord Dunmore suppressed that legislative body just before the American Revolutionary War. Cabell joined the Albermarle County militia in 1756 and two years later became a commissioner for arranging military claims concerning the French and Indian War, hence his honorific, Colonel.
In 1761, the House of Burgesses created Amherst County from part of Albermarle County. The following year, William Cabell received 1,785 acres of his inheritance early, and began establishing what would become his "Union Hill" plantation. Beginning in 1765, Amherst County voters then elected Cabell as their delegate to all legislative assemblies until 1789, including serving on the local Committee of Safety during the revolutionary struggle.
William Cabell served as the presiding justice for Amherst County beginning in 1777, and became the first state senator for what was then the 8th district. William died in 1798 and was buried at Union Hill. By the time of his death, he had distributed estates to various family members, who received an additional 30,000 acres in his will.
Their two other sons included Landon Cabell(1765–1834) and Hector Cabell (1768–1807). Their three daughters all married well. Paulina (1763–1845) married Maj.
Edmund Read and after his death c. 1808 Rev. Nash LeGrand.
Membership
Member Virginia House of Burgesses, 1757-1775. Member Virginia Committee of Safety. Member Virginia Senate, 1776-1781, Virginia House of Representatives, 1781-1783, 87-88.
Connections
Married Margaret Jordan, 1756, 7 children including Samuel Jordan.