Robert Rives (1764-1845)

He was described as, "a small man, about 5 feet 9 inches high, well set; very seat in dress; very inquisitive and talkative; very polite; very hospitable; very much respected by all who knew him; and very much beloved by his slaves, of whom he owned a large number". He went into business with James Brown establishing Brown, Rives & Co., one of the foremost commission houses in Virginia. They owned ships and traded in tobacco, cotton, corn, rice, etc., both nationally and internationally (the West Indies, England, Scotland and Spain). He owned a large estate in Albemarle and between 10-15,000-acres in Nelson County where he was the presiding Judge.