[1] Dillard was born in Culpeper County, Virginia and served in the American Revolution, achieving the rank of lieutenant.

In 1780, the General Assembly of North Carolina enacted a statute granting 3,000 acres (12 km2) of vacant land "not fit for cultivation" for iron works as a bounty from the State to any persons who "would build and carry on the same".

At the April, 1792 term of court it was ordered that a jury consisting of John Dillard and others view and lay off a road from the Wagon Ford of Rims Creek to join the road from the Turkey Cove to Robert Hunters on Lindsay Creek of Cane River, the most advantageous and best according to law, "which jury is to meet the fourth Monday of May at John Dillard's; William Brittain (who was an adjoining property owner of John Dillard) to attend and qualify said jury who are to report to July court."

John Dillard accompanied his son in settling in the area, becoming one of the earliest settlers in that part of Georgia.

One branch of his descendants still operates the Dillard House, a well known southern family style restaurant and conference center.