John was born at
Augusta Co., Virginia, in 1749. He was the son of
William Chesnut and
(?) unknown. He married
Patience Gum at
Augusta Co., Virginia, circa 1767. John Chesnut was land contract on 4 June 1768 at
Rockingham Co., Virginia; In 1768, June 4th John Chesnut bought 10 acres of land on the War Branch of "a branch" of North River, adjacent to William Chesnut and James Davison in Rockingham Co. His old homestead is described as "being in Rockingham Co., in the Shenandoah Valley where the waters of Mud Creek and Dry River join." Also in 1768 John purchase 232 acres of land in Augusta Co., Virginia on Bullpasture Mountain. He began military service in 1777. He made a will at
Knox Co., Kentucky, on 6 March 1805. John died on 21 March 1805 at
Knox Co., Kentucky.