Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/298

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

entered a great deal of land, and on Septem- ber 12, 1738, received from Governor Gooch a patent of forty-eight hundred acres, and ten days later four hundred and forty acres additional. The completing of this patent was managed by his wife during his absence in England. His father died in 1730, and be- cause of his extensive interests in England he was obliged to return to that country, whither he went in 1735 and remained to 1741. His mother died in 1737 and other relatives about the same time, and he was thus detained five years in England to set- tle up his affairs. Soon after his return he received a patent of seven thousand nine hundred and fifty-two acres, and in 1743 an additional twelve hundred acres, and settled at the mouth of Swan creek, where he built a house, mill and warehouse, and established a settlement which he called Warminster, in honor of his native place in England. He was one of the first justices of Albemarle county, and a member of St. Ann's Parish, which was founded in 1744, where he was very active, serving as vestryman and church warden. In June, 1751, he laid out Beverley Town, at Westham. about seven miles above Richmond, and in that year renewed his bond as assistant surveyor, at the same time going on the bond of James Daniel, sheriff. About this time he secured possession of twenty-six thousand acres of land, and soon retired from surveying, and engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. His serv- ices were in demand over a wide extent of country, and many of his remedies were prepared by himself from herbs and plants. He brought many settlers to Virginia ; had an extensive library, including not only med- ical works, but others on theology and gen- eral literature. He died April 12, 1774. He married (first) about 1726, Elizabeth Burks, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Davis) I'.urks. who died September 21, 1756. He married (second) September 30, 1762, Mar- garet, widow of Samuel Meridith. of Han- over, who died February 26, 1768. Children: Mary, William. Joseph, John. George, Nich- olas, all born of the first marriage.

Nicholas Cabell, youngest son of Dr. Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Burks) Cabell, was born October 29, 1750, and baptized Decem- ber 15 following. He was kept at school from the age of four years and three months, finishing his studies at William and Mary College. He resided with his father until the latter's death, and owned a plantation

below the paternal property, extending five miles along the James river, now known as Liberty Hall. He was a captain of militia in the revolutionary service in 1776, and on June 25, 1778, was commissioned lieutenant- colonel. He was appointed colonel of Am- herst county militia in 1780, and saw service in 1781. He was one of the first vestrymen of the parish in 1779, and was a member of the Virginia Society of the Cincinnati. He was justice of the peace of Amherst county, and representative in the state legislature in 1783-84-85. In 1785 he was elected to the state senate, and continued a member of that body until his death in 1803, affiliating with what was then known as the Republican party. He was a trustee of the College of Washington, of Virginia, in 1796-97 ; was active in establishing George Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and prominent in the Grand Lodge of Free Masons, in which he held various offfces. Like his father, he was fond of fine horses, and possessed some first- class specimens ; was a progressive and suc- cessful farmer, and died August 18, 1803. He married, April 16, 1772, Hannah, daughter of George and Anne (Mayo) Carrington, born March 28, 1751, died August 7. 1817. Children: William George, Elizabeth, Jo- seph C. Nicholas, Mary Anne, Mayo Car- rington, Hannah, Henningham, Paul C.

Nicholas (2) Cabell, son of Nicholas (i) and Hannah (Carrington) Cabell, was born December 24. 1780; was educated by pri- vate tutors at Hampden-Sidney College, and William and Mary College. He took charge of his father's estate sometime previous to the latter's death, and by his skillful man- agement removed every encumbrance there- on, and was a successful planter. He in- herited Liberty Hall, where he resided, and was commissioned captain of militia, July 22. 1805. and justice of the county, June 21, 7 80S. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. His death, caused by consumjition, occurred June 25, 1809. He married, Octo- ber 20, 1802, Mary Reid Venable, born May II. 1782, survived him nearly half a cen- tury, dying May 31, 1857. daughter of Sam- uel Woodson and Mary (Carrington) Vena- l)le, of Prince Edward countv. She was, like her husband, a member of the Presby- terian church. Children : Elizabeth, born August 20, 1803, died 1822, unmarried : Na- thaniel Francis.

Nathaniel Francis Cabell, only son of Nicholas (2) and Mary R. (Venable) Cabell,