John Dillard

Well, let's talk about the second part of the hypothesis, which was the elimination of other candidates.

So three previous research phases systematically eliminated 13 other Dillard candidates from the 1820 Georgia census, including George W. Dillard, which was disproven by the Mahone Family Bible, Arthur Dillard, eliminated by his will, Edmund Dillard, daughter identified as Lucy Ann, so there wasn't space for another daughter named Cynthia, and and the John Dillard family of Cass County, whose heirs were all documented in deeds, and the family originated in North Carolina, not Virginia.

Also, Elizabeth Dillard of Cass County was eliminated based on her South Carolina origins and distinct migration pattern.

Then, the DNA evidence, as part of the hypothesis, is that the DNA analysis identified Elijah Dillard, who was born about 1814 to 1816 in Georgia, and died in 1886 in Pike County, Alabama, as Cynthia's probable biological brother, through clustered matches that descend from two of Elijah's sons, Josiah and James Monroe Dillard.

It is a charming mountain resort with family style restaurant.

The restaurant is spectacular, but More importantly, I am bringing on board today John Dillard Jr. He's the resort manager and great-grandson of the founder of the Dillard House.

John, welcome to the Traveling Golf Diva podcast.

Thanks, Doris.

It's great to be here.

Well, it all started back in the 1790s, right during the Revolutionary War.

Captain John Dillard came down from Virginia and from Culpeper County and actually fought in the Revolutionary War against some General Cornwallis.

right across the valley here towards Asheville in North Carolina.