Chesnut, John, 1743-1818

Camden District, S.C. merchant, plantation owner, and South Carolina state legislator. A native of Virginia, he married Sarah Cantey (d. 1786). With his partners Joseph and Ely Kershaw, William Ancrum, and Aaron Loocock, Chesnut operated a large mercantile business from 1764 to 1774. After their partnership was dissolved he continued as a merchant in the Camden (S.C.) area. Chesnut owned large tracts of land in the vicinity of the Wateree River.

From the description of John Chesnut papers, 1741-1814. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36794038

John Chesnut was a colonel in Revolutionary War who resided in Camden, S.C. James was a son who inherited property and was a U.S. Senator before the Civil War.

John's business activities included land acquisitions and management, and partnerships in Kershaw's, Chesnut & Co., Chesnut & Boykin. Became owner of Mulberry Plantation, which was passed down to James. James resigned from the Senate at the beginning of the Civil War. Served as aide to Jefferson Davis and then Brigadier General in the Confederacy. His wife, Mary Boykin Chesnut, was daughter of Gov. Stephen D. Miller. She kept a diary during the war, which was published as "A Diary from Dixie" in 1905 and 1949.

From the description of Chesnut papers. 1760-1822. (The Henry Ford). WorldCat record id: 18809447