John Freeman Hillyer was the eldest son of Petersburg merchant Shaler Hillyer and his wife, Rebecca Freeman Hillyer. An alumni of the University of Georgia, he became a Baptist preacher and educator who moved from Georgia to Texas in 1847 and resided there until his death in 1894. During his time in Texas he was Chaplain of the House of Representatives, Texas legislature and President of Gonzales College. He married (1) Mary Briscoe, and (2) Mrs. Dora Storey.
From the description of Hillyer, Mrs. John Freeman account of a trip to Texas, 1848-1849. (University of Georgia). WorldCat record id: 274184306