William was born at
Co. Antrim, Ireland, circa 1712. He was the son of
Alexander Chesnut and
Mary O'Draine. He married
(?) unknown before 1742. William Chesnut was land contract in 1762 at
Virgina; In 1762 Nicholas Green of Culpepper sold to William Chesnut 400 acres.
He married
Catherine Callahan at
Augusta Co., Virginia, on 28 July 1762. He married
Mary Sophia Wade after 1779. William Chesnut was tax roll in 1782; The 1782 tax list named William Chesnut with 130 acres of land and a William, Jr. with 60 acres. An "alterations" book for May 1784 showed 130 acres of William Chesnut being conveyed to William Blain. The 1783 tax list showed William Blain as Executor for William Chesnut, deceased. William died before February 1783 at
Rockingham Co., Virginia. He left a will on 27 February 1783; Will proved on 27 Feb 1783.