In March 1784, John Dix signed a petition for the building of a road. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 2, item 2-H-10.]

John was mentioned in the 4 September 1784 will of his father, Thomas Dix, proved 16 February 1789. “I give to my three youngest Sons, John, James, and Lewis all my Lands plantations & appurtenances thereto belonging to be equally divided between them & to their heirs for ever, but if either of my said Sons should die leaving no child lawfully begotten, then & in that case I desire that his part of my Lands plantations & appurtenances shall be equally divided among all my surviving Sons & their heirs, to them & their heirs forever ... I give to my Son John a Negro boy Godfrey & to his heirs & assigns forever” He was also entitled to a share of the remainder of the estate. He was named co-executor with his brothers Gabriel and Thomas. A codicil to the will, written 30 December 1788, states (possibly indicating that John had died), "my Will and desire is that the Negro Boy Godfrey, devised to my Son John, be considered as a residue of my Estate, & after the death of my beloved wife, be equally divided among all my Children..." [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 14, pages 137–140.]