James B. Woods

James B. Woods, the third representative of the Municipality of Liberty to sign

the Texas Declaration of Independence, was born on January 21, 1802 in

Kentucky. He arrived in Texas in 1830 and settled in the Atascosito Libertad

area of Mexico (now Liberty, Texas). Woods was among the earliest lawyers to

practice in the Liberty District and was known as a brilliant lawyer and

speaker. On January 25, 1831, Woods was granted a half a league at this site.

Due to his education, background and profession, Woods easily became involved

in politics and, in 1834, was elected Alcalde (Mayor) of the Liberty District.

He represented the District at the Consultations of 1835 and, in March 1836,

was one of five delegates representing Liberty at the Washington-on-the-Brazos

Convention. On March 11, 1836, 34-year-old James B. Woods was one of the men

who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. In addition to his civic

duties, Woods also served in the Texas Army, Franklin Hardin Company from July

7 to October 7, 1836. He then returned to Liberty and his family to resume his

law practice.

In 1838, Woods ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress against his

brother-in-law, Hugh B. Johnston. That same year, he married Mary Ann White

(b.1822), daughter of former Mayor Matthew G. White. James and Mary Ann had

three children. In 1851, James Woods killed Alexander Buxton over an election

quarrel, and was said to have been remorseful. Tradition states that he was

killed or took his own life. He was buried in the White Family Cemetery, three

miles southeast of Liberty, with members of his family and neighbors. (2013)