From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

Lillard was born a slave in Anderson County about 1841. His early life was spent on the Thomas Gaines farm near Lawrenceburg, but when Mr. Gaines passed away in 1853, ownership of David and his brother Walker was passed to his daughter, Mrs. Rachael Tinsley of Audrain County, Missouri.

For the next decade David remained under the bounds of slavery. Although the Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves in states that were in open rebellion against the Union, Missouri remained loyal, and slaves in that state remained in bondage. Late in the war, however, Missouri was authorized to enlist regiments of black men, and all who enlisted were granted immediate freedom.

The Lillard brothers therefore volunteered in  Mexico, Missouri on March 21, 1864, and sixteen days later were mustered into Federal service at Benton Barracks as privates in Company H of the 68th Regiment of the Colored U.S. Colored Infantry. At the time of his enlistment, David was described as a 23-year old farm laborer with black hair and eyes and a dark complexion, 6'2" in height.

According to regimental history, the 68th was on duty at St. Louis until the end of April, then ordered to Memphis, Tennessee. From July 5-21, 1864, the 68th took part in Smith's Expedition into Mississippi and fought in a major battle in Tupelo on July 14-15.

After that expedition, the regiment returned to Memphis, where it remained on duty occupying the defenses there until February 1865. During that time, David was promoted to the rank of corporal. The regiment was later ordered to New Orleans and from there on to duty in Florida.

In the early spring of 1865 the regiment was detailed for a campaign into Alabama and took part in the siege, assaults, and capture of Fort Blakely, April 2-9, 1865, then moved on to occupy the cities of Mobile and Montgomery.

Later the regiment was moved to Texas, where it served along the Rio Grande River and other points across the state, remaining  on duty until February 5, 1866, when it was mustered from Federal service at Camp Parapet, Louisiana.

After the war, David returned to Mexico and on December 24, 1866 married Easter Surber; they were the parents of George, Margaret, Permelia, Carolina, Kate, Colonel Hayes, Melissa E., Ada B., Benjamin Harrison, Willie, and Matilda Florence, and perhaps two more. David remained a resident of the town of Mexico for the remainder of his life, supporting his family as a plasterer and carpenter, although, due to failing health, he applied for and received a pension for military service, which he began receiving  in 1893.

David Lillard died March 10, 1899 in St. Louis, and he is buried in an unmarked grave within the boundaries of Block E of Elmwood Cemetery in Mexico, Missouri. Later efforts, however, were made to locate his final resting place, and it has since been marked by a Veterans Administration marker.

After David's death, his wife petitioned for and received a widow's pension of $8.00 per month plus $2.00 for each child under the age of sixteen.