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Edward and
Susanna's Early Lives in England:
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Edward BATE[S] was probably born
shortly before his christening on 23 November 1606, in Aston Clinton,
Buckinghamshire, England. Nothing else is known about him until his
marriage to Susanna PUTNAM on 26 January 1631/32 in Drayton
Beauchamp, Buckinghamshire.
The young family
probably lived in or near Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire,
for two of their first three children were baptized in the
church there. Their first child was buried in
nearby Drayton Beauchamp. Around 1637, Edward
BATE[S], his wife, Susanna, their daughter Susanna,
and their son John immigrated to Massachusetts
aboard an unknown ship. In his article "The
English Origin of Macuth1 (or Matthew) Pratt and Edward1
Bates of Weymouth, Massachusetts" (TAG
65 (1990), Frederick J. Nicholson
suggests that Edward and his family came to Massachusetts about
1637 and possibly traveled along with the Macuth Pratt and his
family.
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Details of
Edward's Life in Weymouth, MA:
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Edward took an active roll in town and church affairs
in Weymouth. He was made a "freeman" of the
Massachusetts Bay Colony on 13 March 1639 in
Weymouth. On May 22nd, 1639, he was one of the
deputies of the General Court, sitting in Boston, a
position he held for three more years. On 06 June
1639, he was also appointed chairman of a board to end
small business in Weymouth and was reappointed to the same
office on May 10th, 1643. On 13 May 1640, Edward
was one of the men chosen to be a member of the Court to
make a levy or tax upon several towns in the Massachusetts
Colony. On 28 January 1640/41, he along with two
others, was appointed to determine a dispute between Henry
Waltham, merchant and Wealthia Richards, wife
of Thomas, deceased.
On June 2nd, 1641, Edward was
appointed Commissioner to see people joined in marriage and to keep a
record of it. On December 10th, 1641, he and two others, were
appointed to view the way at Braintree and "certify to the next
General Court." At that time he was called "Goodman
Bates." He was reappointed on June 14th, 1642 to view the
same way, which is now called Commercial Street in Weymouth. He
held the office of "Townsman." in 1643.
He was also an Elder in the Church at Weymouth for more
than thirty years. The exact date Edward was
elected to that office is unknown, however, he was called
by this title first in February 1651/52.
Edward was also a large land-holder
in Weymouth, his residence being in what is now East Weymouth, near the
Hingham line. At the time of his death he also held a half
interest in the corn mill and one-fourth interest in the sawmill. He made his will on October 22nd,
1683 and it was probated on July 22nd, 1686.
His son Increase inherited the southern portion of the family
estate, and most of his descendants remained in Weymouth for several
generations. The second son, Edward, inherited the northern
portion of the estate and he remained in Weymouth. Many of his
descendants however settled in Abington, Cummington and Vermont.
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Burial Information:
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Edward Bates died on March 25th,
1686 and was buried at Burying Hill in Weymouth, MA. His tombstone
is still standing, although it's current condition is unknown by
me. The original inscription read: "Here Lyeth Buried ye body
of Elder Edward Bate aged 81 years departed this life ye 25 day of March
1686."
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Picture of the Grave of Edward
Bates of Weymouth.
From the Bates Bulletin, April 1910 (Vol. III, No. 2, pg. 1)
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This Page last Updated:
05 December, 2000
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