John Peck Chidester was born about 1775, probably in Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut or possibly in New York. His parents were David Chidester and Mary Elizabeth Peck. He met a woman named Mary Ann (Polly) Gifford, and they were married around 10 May 1806 in Pompey, Onodaga, New York. Their first child was born 1 Nov 1806 and was named David Starr Chidester. Their second child came on 22 Jan 1809 and was named John Madison Chidester. All this occurred while still living in Pompey. John Peck was a doctor in the area. Sadly he died soon after John Madison's birth on 10 Jan 1810 when the new baby was only seven months old. It is believed his wife Polly said at the time of his death, "that she could never love another man" because she loved him so much. John's wife would remarry and she and their second son John Madison, would eventually make their way to Utah as Mormon pioneers.

Written on 14 July 2005 by Nicholas Dee Stoddard with information gathered from family records and from "The life and Times of John Madison Chidester' by Dale Eldon Chidester (August 1994)