William H. Cabell
Encyclopedia
William H. Cabell was a Virginia politician and Democratic-Republican. He served as Member of the Assembly, as Governor of Virginia, and as judge. He adopted his middle initial, which does not stand for anything, in 1795, to distinguish himself from other William Cabells, including his uncle (and father-in-law) and his first cousin.
Cabell was born at “Boston Hill” in what is now Cumberland County, Virginia
on December 16, 1772. He was the son of Colonel Nicholas Cabell and Hannah Carrington Cabell. He studied under private teachers and later attended Hampden-Sydney College
and the College of William and Mary
, graduating from W&M in July 1793. He then came to Richmond to complete the study of law and was licensed there on June 13, 1794. He began practice in July 1794. He started his career as a lawyer and entered the politics. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
and a Presidential elector. He was the 14th Governor of Virginia
from 1805 to 1808. In December 1808, he was elected as a judge of the general court. After being on that court for two years he was elected to the Court of Appeals
on March 21, 1811. Serving continuously until the reorganization of the court in 1831, he was again elected to the new court, where he became president on January 18, 1842. He remained in this position until 1851 but during his last year was frequently unable to be present because of ill health. Judge Cabell was on the Court of Appeals for forty-one years. He died on January 12, 1853 in Richmond, Virginia
and was there interred in Shockoe Hill Cemetery
.
Cabell County, West Virginia
was named in his honor.
Cabell was born at “Boston Hill” in what is now Cumberland County, Virginia
Cumberland County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,017 people, 3,528 households, and 2,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 4,085 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile...
on December 16, 1772. He was the son of Colonel Nicholas Cabell and Hannah Carrington Cabell. He studied under private teachers and later attended Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden–Sydney College is a liberal arts college for men located in Hampden Sydney, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1775, Hampden–Sydney is the oldest private charter college in the Southern U.S., the last college founded before the American Revolution, and one of only three four-year,...
and the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
, graduating from W&M in July 1793. He then came to Richmond to complete the study of law and was licensed there on June 13, 1794. He began practice in July 1794. He started his career as a lawyer and entered the politics. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
and a Presidential elector. He was the 14th Governor of Virginia
Governor of Virginia
The governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term. The position is currently held by Republican Bob McDonnell, who was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, as the 71st governor of Virginia....
from 1805 to 1808. In December 1808, he was elected as a judge of the general court. After being on that court for two years he was elected to the Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Virginia
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears appeals from the trial-level city and county Circuit Courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that go through the Court of Appeals of Virginia. It is one of...
on March 21, 1811. Serving continuously until the reorganization of the court in 1831, he was again elected to the new court, where he became president on January 18, 1842. He remained in this position until 1851 but during his last year was frequently unable to be present because of ill health. Judge Cabell was on the Court of Appeals for forty-one years. He died on January 12, 1853 in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
and was there interred in Shockoe Hill Cemetery
Shockoe Hill Cemetery
The Shockoe Hill Cemetery is a historic cemetery located on Shockoe Hill in Richmond, Virginia.-History:Established in 1820, with the initial burial in 1822, Shockoe Hill Cemetery was the first city-owned municipal burial ground in Richmond. The cemetery expanded in 1833, 1850, and 1870, but now is...
.
Cabell County, West Virginia
Cabell County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 96,784 people, 41,180 households, and 25,490 families residing in the county. The population density was 344 people per square mile . There were 45,615 housing units at an average density of 162 per square mile...
was named in his honor.