Capt of state militia for many years, a magistrate for 16 yrs, a commissioner of revenue for 6 0r 7, a county coroner and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1788 which ratified the Constitution of the US. He voted for ratification. Was a devoted member of Bruington Baptist Church. He was elected a deacon in 1804, became clerk in 1812, treasurer a few years later, and again clerk until four years before his death. He was one of the 21 founders of the Va. Bapt. Association 1823.

Bought Goshen in K&Q from Spenser Roane. Over the years acquired 1600 acres. Gave or left a farm to each of his sons, including Fleetwood to Christopher and Melville to Alexander. In 1819 the K&Q Tax Books reported that he owned 1568 acres.