Woollard, James B. (James Ball), 1804-1887.

Bond County, Illinois early settler who farmed near Mulberry Grove, Ill. on land he bought with payment for his service in the Black Hawk War, traveled as a Methodist circuit preacher, served in the Illinois House of Representatives and was Chaplain for the Illiniois 111th Volunteers from the time it was formed until illnes forced his resignation in Dec. 1864. His ancestors had settled in North Carolina before the Revolution but his family moved to Tennessee in 1810. After he married Mary McCurley in 1827, they moved to Illinois. He had a brother in Mississippi whose son fought for the Confederacy. James' son Francis was a newspaper editor and school teacher in southern Illinois prior to and during the Civil War. He also designed and patented the Woolford Poultry Coop. He was appointed Wayne County, Ill. Superintendent of Schools by Governor Beveridge in 1874.

From the description of Papers, 1774-1927. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 51747492

A Methodist Circuit rider who came to Illinois from Tennessee in 1829 and settled in Mulberry Grove, Bond County where he was appointed Postmaster in addition to his license as a preacher. While on the circuit he visited Aaron Todd, accused of killing his cousin for money, and after spending much time with him, Todd recounted the events leading up to and the commission of the crime. Woollard transcribed his confession and it was published in many newspapers throughout the area. Woollard was present for the trial and Todd became very attached to him. He requested Woollard to continue his visits until his sentence was carried out and he did stay for the hanging which was carried out in the town of Carlinville, Macoupin County, Illinois, on the second day of June, 1840.

From the description of Confession of Aaron Todd, 1839-1840. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 51747494