[5] The family biographer explains that the latter appointment was as Comptroller of the Port of the Rappahannock River, which the son carried with him when returning from his British education, but was not allowed to hold, since the absence of a "junior" annotation meant the father (this man) was the actual appointee.

Governor Fauquier in 1766 wrote the Board of Trade concerning the matter, indicating this man's desire to relinquish the office in favor of his son, who was a schoolmate of prominent Whig Charles James Fox, who had influenced Lord Grenville concerning the appointment[6] During the American Revolutionary War, local patriots presumed he sided with Britain, although he remained in Middlesex County.

Nonetheless, in 1781 a British privateer looted Rosegill and other plantations, prompting both Ralph Wormeleys to petition for compensation, particularly since when the more than 30 slaves were recovered, they had smallpox.

[11] Sarah, the daughter of Edmund Berkeley of "Barn Elms" plantation in Middlesex County married this Ralph Wormeley on November 4, 1736.

While an old biographical sketch argues that Ralph Wormeley V was seated on the Virginia Governor's Council before the American Revolutionary War instead of this man, usually such appointments went to seasoned men such as this grandee who had already served two decades as burgess.

However, James ultimately resettled in England and accepted a British army officer's commission, whereas John settled in the Shenandoah Valley.

[13] This Ralph Wormeley wrote a will on April 7, 1787, which was admitted to probate in Middlesex County on May 3, 1789, although a family prayer book lists his death date as August 19, 1790.