Born in Botetourt County, Virginia, Crabb attended the public schools.

Crabb was elected assistant secretary of the State senate and comptroller of public accounts in 1829.

He served in the Florida Indian War of 1836 and was lieutenant colonel of the Alabama Volunteers.

Crabb was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joab Lawler.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress