John Hill was born in Halifax County, North Carolina on February 4, 1749. He may have served as a private in the 10th North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army from March 1776 to February 1780. Shortly after that period, he moved to Anson County, where he married Huldah Jackson. After their marriage, General Horatio Gates and the Patriot forces under his command suffered a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Camden in nearby South Carolina, so John Hill escorted his wife to Halifax for her safety. He then returned to Anson County, where he became a private in the Anson County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia. His captain was his brother-in-law Jonathan Jackson and his colonel was his father-in-law John Jackson. He saw combat at the Battle of Beatti's Bridge in August 1781. While trying to flee from the battle, he was hit several times on the head with a sword and taken prisoner. He obtained a parole on account of his wounds and eventually recovered. John and Huldah Hill had at least eleven children together and after the war John became a local Methodist preacher. He died in Anson County on August 14, 1817.