Born 1748 in Whiteleysburg , Kent County, Delaware to John Dill (b. 1725) and Mary Ann Edwards Barrett (b. 1728). It is believed that his father, John Dill, was Mary Ann's second husband. Some researchers have Archibald's name as Archibald C. (Clifton) Dill while he had sometimes referred to himself as "Arthur" in early records. Regardless, he remains the Sr. patriot in the lineage. Although some original research and family records are rather sketchy with this man, his pension statement and Last Will & Testament do reveal many undisputed facts.

It is widely believed (though not proven) that around 1769 Archibald Dill had married a Rebeckah Loftis in Greenville, South Carolina (possibly his second wife). She was born c. 1750 in Kent County Delaware (daughter of Irish born John Loftis Sr. and Sarah Ann Scully Loftis).

Archibald Dill was a Revolutionary War soldier (Claim # S-3285/May 14, 1833), entering military service around age 30 in 1779 in the North Carolina Militia with brothers, Richard, Runnels, and John Jr. (see his attached transcribed pension statement). As a Revolutionary War soldier, he had been awarded a land grant in Upper Middle Tennessee near present day Gainsboro. Around 1805, Archibald Dill and his son's families migrated west from the Tyger River area of South Carolina, crossing southern Appalachia and the Cumberland Plateau to Wilson, White, and Smith counties in Tennessee, ultimately arriving in Jackson County. Traveling by wagon train with the family of Laban and Elizabeth Loftis, these two pioneer families settled at the mouth of the Roaring River on Morrison's Creek near present day Gainsboro, Tennessee. Sons: Arthur, Stephen, and Elijah appeared later on the 1820 and 1830 Jackson and White County census schedules in middle Tennessee, while (Elijah and William Arlin) would eventually move to Arkansas and Alabama. His two older sons, Arthur Dill and Archibald Jr. remained in Tennessee and are believed to be buried in Jackson County. All in all, the Dills were a most nomadic family. Archibald and Rebeckah did live in middle Tennessee for several years. Sometime after 1830, his son Stephen had moved his family up to northwestern Illinois near Flint Hills, Iowa (now Burlington).

As an elderly man (sometimes going by the name of "Arthur" as written in early documents), Archibald Dill's annual allowance from his war pension was $53.33, commencing in 1833 at age 85. Around 1837, Archibald Dill moved from Jackson County, Tennessee up to northwestern Illinois - near his son (Stephen C. Dill and wife Catherine Harris Dill) who had previously been awarded land tracts in exchange for military service in the War of 1812. It was in McDonough County, Illinois that Archibald Dill wrote his Will on January 13th, 1838. This coincided with the great Mormon emigration to Nauvoo and neighboring Hancock County at the bend of the Mississippi.

It is believed that Archibald died two years later in adjacent McDonough County in the summer of 1840 at the age of 91, while some historians believe that he may have died around 1839. His presumed wife Rebeckah died several years later around 1847. It is believed that Archibald and Rebeckah are most likely buried in unmarked graves in McDonough County, Illinois or in adjacent Hancock County. However, there are some plausible arguments that both Archibald and Rebeckah could be buried in Jackson County, Tennessee - possibly in the old Matt Loftis Family Cemetery. Unfortunately their burial records do not exist. Should anyone discover any recorded evidence of their burials, please contact the maintainer of this memorial.

Parents of (16) known children:

Archibald Jr., b. about 1764; d. 1849, Jackson County, TN. Achilbald Jr.'s daughter, Ermilla "Millie" (born abt. 1800; d. 1884) had married John Laban "Jack" Loftis in 1818 - thus the Loftis/Dill connection and co-migration to Jackson County, TN.

Milly, b. 1770 (possibly a first born daughter?)

Arthur, b. 1771, Orange County NC; d. 1847, Jackson County TN

Solomon, b. 1772, N. or S. Carolina; d. 1854, Greenville County SC

William Arlin, b. 1774, N Carolina; d. 1854, Townly, Walker County AL

David Archibald, b. 1776, Orange County NC; d. 1845, Jackson, Madison, TN

Lydia Dill, b. 1780

Mary Ann (Polly) Rutledge b. 1782, Long Island/Sullivan County, TN; d. October 8, 1855, Jackson, TN

Stephen C., b. 1784, Caswell N Carolina; d. 1859, McDonough County, IL

Elijah Alfred, b. circa 1785, Greenville County SC; d. 1879 in Washington County, AR

Margaret Nancy (Peggy) Sommers, b. 1786 in Greenville, SC; d. Jackson County TN, 1859

Elizabeth Sarah J. Sutton, b. 1787 in Orange County NC; d. 1859, Bellefonte, Jackson, AL

George Dill, b. 1787, Greenville SC; d 1879, Jackson County Alabama

F. Dill, b. 1790

Anna Dill, b. about 1794; d. 1840 (written in her Father's Will of 1838 as the main benefactor)

Serena Elizabeth, b. 1807; d. 1882

NOTE: A "Rachel" (maiden name: Cantrell) is the spouse of this Archibald Dill's grandson: "Archibald C. Dill" (a son of Arthur - see Memorial 215433441) and listed in the 1850 Jackson County TN /District 9 Census.

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* His first name "Archibald" was a most common name found in early Dill family records. The name was prolifically used in successive Dill generations:

- Archibald C. Dill named his first born son "Archibald" Dill Jr. (b. 1764). One land/deed transaction was signed: "Arch" C.

- Another son of Archibald C. Dill was named David "Archibald" Dill (b. 1776)

- Another son of Archibald C. Dill was William Arlin Dill - naming a son "Archibald" (b. 1820; 1 of 13 siblings)

- Another son was Arthur Dill (b. 1771) - naming his son "Archibald" (b. 1801) - who named his first born "Archibald" Overton Dill (b. 1830)

- Arthur Dill's great-grandson was named "Archie" (a son of Henry C. Dill, b. 1891)

- Another son of Archibald C. Dill was Elijah Alfred Dill (b. 1786) - naming his oldest son "Archibald" Dill (b. 1818) - whose grandson was William "Archibald" Dill (b. 1893)

*An Old German name, Archibald is made up of the elements erchan, meaning "genuine," and bald, which means "bold," giving the name its modern meaning of "genuine" and "bold, brave."