John T Chidester is the son of Daniel C Chidester and Susannah Poindexter
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Los Angeles Times Calf 7 Mar 1892
The Original Mail Carrier Dead
Camden,(Ark) Mar 6, Col. John T. Chidester, known the country over as the Original overland mail carrier; died at his residence in this city this morning of a complication of diseases abetted by old age. In the anti bellum days, and for a long time after the war, Col. Chidester held Goverment contracts for carrying mail over the greater portion of the Southern States.
Attractions
McCollum-Chidester House Museum - One of the oldest houses in Camden today documents much of the unique history of Camden, Ouachita County, the State of Arkansas, and even the South. This house was constructed by slave labor in 1847; after a land grant was signed by President James K. Polk legal ownership of the property was transferred to Peter McCollum. McCollum had moved into Camden six years earlier to manage a mercantile business that was owned by his brother. Once the construction was completed, he lived in the house for almost sixteen years before it was sold to John T. Chidester in 1862 for the sum of $10,000 which was paid in gold.
Chidester and his wife, the former Leah Minerva Crocker, had furniture for their new home shipped to Camden from New Orleans. They also added two large rooms to the east and west wings of the home to accommodate their needs.
John Chidester subcontracted a part of the Memphis to Fort Smith stage route from John Butterfield in 1858. During that same year he began to operate the Chidester, Reeside, and Company as a four-horse stage line. The following year he established the Chidester, Rapley, and Company to operate stage lines in North Louisiana and South Arkansas. This company offered four-horse coaches capable of carrying nine passengers with connections to Gaines Landing, Washington, and Hot Springs, Arkansas and Trenton and Homer, Louisiana by way of Magnolia, Lewisville, Pine Bluff, Arkadelphia, and Antoine.
During the Civil War the house was used by Confederate General Sterling Price while Camden was the site of a large Southern military presence. Then, during the eleven-day occupation of Camden, Major General Frederick Steele used the house as an outpost during the Battle of Poison Springs.
The Chidester family owned the house until 1963, and during that time, three generations of children were born there. The Ouachita County Historical Society purchased the house in 1963 from Dan and Tom Lawrence Chidester.
Today, the Society operates the house as an historical museum with guided tours, and the house still contains many of the furniture items John Chidester purchased when he moved into it. Also, the McCollum-Chidester House serves the Society in its effort to preserve yesterday for tomorrow.
Approximately 2,500 people visit the McCollum-Chidester House annually.
—-
Los Angeles Times Calf 7 Mar 1892
The Original Mail Carrier Dead
Camden,(Ark) Mar 6, Col. John T. Chidester, known the country over as the Original overland mail carrier; died at his residence in this city this morning of a complication of diseases abetted by old age. In the anti bellum days, and for a long time after the war, Col. Chidester held Goverment contracts for carrying mail over the greater portion of the Southern States.
Attractions
McCollum-Chidester House Museum - One of the oldest houses in Camden today documents much of the unique history of Camden, Ouachita County, the State of Arkansas, and even the South. This house was constructed by slave labor in 1847; after a land grant was signed by President James K. Polk legal ownership of the property was transferred to Peter McCollum. McCollum had moved into Camden six years earlier to manage a mercantile business that was owned by his brother. Once the construction was completed, he lived in the house for almost sixteen years before it was sold to John T. Chidester in 1862 for the sum of $10,000 which was paid in gold.
Chidester and his wife, the former Leah Minerva Crocker, had furniture for their new home shipped to Camden from New Orleans. They also added two large rooms to the east and west wings of the home to accommodate their needs.
John Chidester subcontracted a part of the Memphis to Fort Smith stage route from John Butterfield in 1858. During that same year he began to operate the Chidester, Reeside, and Company as a four-horse stage line. The following year he established the Chidester, Rapley, and Company to operate stage lines in North Louisiana and South Arkansas. This company offered four-horse coaches capable of carrying nine passengers with connections to Gaines Landing, Washington, and Hot Springs, Arkansas and Trenton and Homer, Louisiana by way of Magnolia, Lewisville, Pine Bluff, Arkadelphia, and Antoine.
During the Civil War the house was used by Confederate General Sterling Price while Camden was the site of a large Southern military presence. Then, during the eleven-day occupation of Camden, Major General Frederick Steele used the house as an outpost during the Battle of Poison Springs.
The Chidester family owned the house until 1963, and during that time, three generations of children were born there. The Ouachita County Historical Society purchased the house in 1963 from Dan and Tom Lawrence Chidester.
Today, the Society operates the house as an historical museum with guided tours, and the house still contains many of the furniture items John Chidester purchased when he moved into it. Also, the McCollum-Chidester House serves the Society in its effort to preserve yesterday for tomorrow.
Approximately 2,500 people visit the McCollum-Chidester House annually.
John T Chidester is the son of Daniel C Chidester and Susannah Poindexter
—-
Los Angeles Times Calf 7 Mar 1892
The Original Mail Carrier Dead
Camden,(Ark) Mar 6, Col. John T. Chidester, known the country over as the Original overland mail carrier; died at his residence in this city this morning of a complication of diseases abetted by old age. In the anti bellum days, and for a long time after the war, Col. Chidester held Goverment contracts for carrying mail over the greater portion of the Southern States.
Attractions
McCollum-Chidester House Museum - One of the oldest houses in Camden today documents much of the unique history of Camden, Ouachita County, the State of Arkansas, and even the South. This house was constructed by slave labor in 1847; after a land grant was signed by President James K. Polk legal ownership of the property was transferred to Peter McCollum. McCollum had moved into Camden six years earlier to manage a mercantile business that was owned by his brother. Once the construction was completed, he lived in the house for almost sixteen years before it was sold to John T. Chidester in 1862 for the sum of $10,000 which was paid in gold.
Chidester and his wife, the former Leah Minerva Crocker, had furniture for their new home shipped to Camden from New Orleans. They also added two large rooms to the east and west wings of the home to accommodate their needs.
John Chidester subcontracted a part of the Memphis to Fort Smith stage route from John Butterfield in 1858. During that same year he began to operate the Chidester, Reeside, and Company as a four-horse stage line. The following year he established the Chidester, Rapley, and Company to operate stage lines in North Louisiana and South Arkansas. This company offered four-horse coaches capable of carrying nine passengers with connections to Gaines Landing, Washington, and Hot Springs, Arkansas and Trenton and Homer, Louisiana by way of Magnolia, Lewisville, Pine Bluff, Arkadelphia, and Antoine.
During the Civil War the house was used by Confederate General Sterling Price while Camden was the site of a large Southern military presence. Then, during the eleven-day occupation of Camden, Major General Frederick Steele used the house as an outpost during the Battle of Poison Springs.
The Chidester family owned the house until 1963, and during that time, three generations of children were born there. The Ouachita County Historical Society purchased the house in 1963 from Dan and Tom Lawrence Chidester.
Today, the Society operates the house as an historical museum with guided tours, and the house still contains many of the furniture items John Chidester purchased when he moved into it. Also, the McCollum-Chidester House serves the Society in its effort to preserve yesterday for tomorrow.
Approximately 2,500 people visit the McCollum-Chidester House annually.
—-
Los Angeles Times Calf 7 Mar 1892
The Original Mail Carrier Dead
Camden,(Ark) Mar 6, Col. John T. Chidester, known the country over as the Original overland mail carrier; died at his residence in this city this morning of a complication of diseases abetted by old age. In the anti bellum days, and for a long time after the war, Col. Chidester held Goverment contracts for carrying mail over the greater portion of the Southern States.
Attractions
McCollum-Chidester House Museum - One of the oldest houses in Camden today documents much of the unique history of Camden, Ouachita County, the State of Arkansas, and even the South. This house was constructed by slave labor in 1847; after a land grant was signed by President James K. Polk legal ownership of the property was transferred to Peter McCollum. McCollum had moved into Camden six years earlier to manage a mercantile business that was owned by his brother. Once the construction was completed, he lived in the house for almost sixteen years before it was sold to John T. Chidester in 1862 for the sum of $10,000 which was paid in gold.
Chidester and his wife, the former Leah Minerva Crocker, had furniture for their new home shipped to Camden from New Orleans. They also added two large rooms to the east and west wings of the home to accommodate their needs.
John Chidester subcontracted a part of the Memphis to Fort Smith stage route from John Butterfield in 1858. During that same year he began to operate the Chidester, Reeside, and Company as a four-horse stage line. The following year he established the Chidester, Rapley, and Company to operate stage lines in North Louisiana and South Arkansas. This company offered four-horse coaches capable of carrying nine passengers with connections to Gaines Landing, Washington, and Hot Springs, Arkansas and Trenton and Homer, Louisiana by way of Magnolia, Lewisville, Pine Bluff, Arkadelphia, and Antoine.
During the Civil War the house was used by Confederate General Sterling Price while Camden was the site of a large Southern military presence. Then, during the eleven-day occupation of Camden, Major General Frederick Steele used the house as an outpost during the Battle of Poison Springs.
The Chidester family owned the house until 1963, and during that time, three generations of children were born there. The Ouachita County Historical Society purchased the house in 1963 from Dan and Tom Lawrence Chidester.
Today, the Society operates the house as an historical museum with guided tours, and the house still contains many of the furniture items John Chidester purchased when he moved into it. Also, the McCollum-Chidester House serves the Society in its effort to preserve yesterday for tomorrow.
Approximately 2,500 people visit the McCollum-Chidester House annually.
Gravesite Details
Confederate officer. Founder of the Chidester, Rapley & Sons Stage Coach Line.
Family Members
Siblings
Half Siblings
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