[4][5] Her father was a naval officer who gained national renown in 1857 when he went down with his ship, the mail steamer SS Central America, along with more than 400 passengers and crew.

[6] Herndon had safely evacuated 152 women and children to another vessel during the severe hurricane off Cape Hatteras, but his ship could not be saved.

[6] A talented contralto, when she lived in Washington, Herndon's singing ability resulted in an invitation to join the choir at St. John's Episcopal Church, which she accepted.

The Arthurs appeared to have a strong marriage, but it was strained by both Chester's political activities, which took much of his time, and their divided loyalties on the Civil War.

[8] While Arthur was serving in the New York militia during the conflict, his wife privately sympathized with the Confederacy, for which many of her Virginia kinfolk were fighting.

The Arthurs had two sons, one of whom died young, and a daughter: Nell's social network among the élite families of New York widened Chester's political contacts.

Her mother's wealth allowed them luxuries such as the three-story Lexington Avenue brownstone townhouse with expensive furnishings from Tiffany’s, which Arthur could not have afforded by himself.