How did the Chestnuts come to have such a fine estate?

The Chestnuts were able to build a lovely home and improve the grounds with the money they received from several sources. First, people donated to them because they were survivors of the Camp Patience massacre. Then, Southerners started asking them to protect their money for them by keeping the money close to The Miracle Boy and the place that God watches over. Sarat became like a banker, taking cuts for protecting their money.