Both his paternal and maternal ancestors had emigrated from England and become gentry in the Virginia colony (many serving in the House of Burgesses and some including his father since his childhood on the Governor's Advisory Council and others only holding local office) as they also operated plantations using enslaved labor.
Thus, Corbin farmed using enslaved labor, although for much of his life he objected to slavery on moral and economic grounds, and expressed fear that the Union could rupture in the future over the issue.
He was also named to the five member committee to prepare a form of ratification, although he was in the minority in voting to prevent states from limiting the Congress's taxing power.
Nonetheless, in 1791, Corbin worked to ensure the House of Delegate ratified the first ten amendments to the federal Constitution as suggested by anti-Federalist George Mason in that Convention, and later proposed by James Madison.
Notwithstanding, CSA General Stonewall Jackson and the 2nd Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, at the invitation of his grandson James Parke Corbin, overwintered during 1862–1863 on the grounds of Moss Neck Manor, thus now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.