"David Chenault (30 Sep 1771 - 9 May 1851) was a pastor of Unity Church. His father, William Chenault, was of French extraction, but was born in Virginia. He was a soldier under Washington during the American Revolution. He moved to Kentucky in the fall of 1786, and settled near Richmond, in Madison County, where he died of the "cold plague," in the spring of 1813. Many of his descendants have been and are among the most valuable citizens and church members in Madison County. David Chenault was born of Baptist parents in Albemarle county, Virginia, September 30, 1771, and he came with his parents to Kentucky in 1786. He was married to Nancy Tribble, (6 Nov 1778 - 2 Aug 1862) daughter of Elder Andrew Tribble, in 1793."

The children of David and Nancy Tribble Chenault were:

1. Cabell Chenault (25 Jul 1795 - 10 Jul 1878) married Emily Mitchell (28 Nov 1805 - 1 May 1883) on 11 Sep 1823.

2. Joyce Chenault (5 Dec 1797 - 18 Jul 1858) married James Munday (5 Dec 1792 - 18 Jun 1858) on 9 Sep 1813.

3. David Chenault (15 Feb 1800 - 2 Dec 1883) married Louisa Quisenberry (29 Sep 1811 - 30 Apr 1887) on 25 Oct 1827.

4. Hervey Chenault (29 Sep 1802 - 18 Sep 1843) married Anne Douglass (24 Jul 1810 - 25 Oct 1891) on 30 Mar 1826. After Hervey's death Anne married William Letcher.

5. Sally Chenault (13 Nov 1805 - 4 Aug 1824) married Duke W. Simpson on February 13, 1822.

6. William Tandy Chenault (17 Feb 1807 - 27 Jun 1862) married Virginia Quisenberry (13 Nov 1828 - 20 Jan 1894) on 13 Nov 1828.

7. Waller C. Chenault (21 Apr 1809 - 25 Aug 1843) married Lydia McRoberts (4 Aug 1818 - 8 May 1843) on 17 Nov 1835.

8. Anderson Chenault (8 Feb 1812 - 18 Jul 1884) married Margaret Kavanaugh Oldham (25 Oct 1829 - 22 Jun 1919) on 30 Sep 1852.

9. John Chenault (16 Dec 1815 - 18 Oct 1843)

10. Nancy Chenault (27 Jul 1819 - 16 Jan 1893) married Alexander Tribble (5 Apr 1810 - 13 May 1888) on 26 Oct 1843.

"He joined the church at Mt. Nebo about the year 1795, and was baptized by Peter Woods. His ministry commenced during the great revival of 1800-3. He possessed only a common school education; but he had a strong intellect and sound practical judgment. He was an extensive farmer, and held the office of Justice of the Peace about twenty years. He was a successful business man and accumulated a fortune of not less than $100,000; and was inclined to be penurious, rather than liberal. He was, however, an active pastor, usually serving four churches for a period of nearly fifty years. Besides this, he preached a great deal in the mountains of Kentucky, even down to old age. Among the churches he preached to besides Unity, were Cane Spring, Lulbegrud, Log-lick, White Oak Pond, Mt. Tabor, Stoners Branch and Union."

"He was a Hyper-Calvinist in doctrine, and very uneven in his religious ministrations. Some times his zeal amounted to a burning enthusiasm, at others he was dull and chillingly frigid. But he swerved from the path of conscientious rectitude. At a ripe old age he fell asleep in Jesus, May 9, 1851."

From the book History of Kentucky Baptists, 1886. By J.H. Spencer. Special Collections call number BX6248.K4 S7 V.1.