After taking over that business, with prominent planter Robert Rives as his partner, he married Rives' daughter Lucy Shands Rives, won several elections to represent Nelson County in the Virginia House of Delegates, served many years as the chief judge in Nelson County, and rose to the rank of General in the local militia. This grandfather Alexander Cabell owned 27 enslaved persons in Nelson County in 1850.
After taking over a business with Robert Rives, his partner, he married Rives' daughter Lucy Shands Rives, won elections to represent Nelson County in the Virginia House of Delegates, served as chief judge for many years in Nelson County, and rose to the rank of General in the local militia. This grandfather, Alexander Cabell, owned 27 enslaved people in Nelson County in 1850.