Bates Family

Little of our early Bates history has been documented. What we do know comes to us in the form of family tradition, handed down primarily by Mary Belle (Bates) Jones (1877-1966), Josephine Lamoine "Jo" (Bates) Tackett (1897-1984) and Madge (McCulloch) Rose (1906-1999). According to tradition, our Bates family came from England around the time of the American Revolutionary War. Our emigrant ancestor is thought to have been the grandfather of James Isaah Bates. According to family legend, James’ father purchased a large plantation in Mississippi in the early days of the State. James’ mother died when he was a young man and his father remarried. James, who was born between 1800 and 1810, did not like his stepmother so he left home, never to return and loosing all contact with his family. He made his way to Tennessee where he worked as a laborer until he was able to be out on his own. Like his father, James was married twice. He had at least ten children. James’ first wife was a beautiful Irish girl named Sallie Barnhill who bore James seven children. After Sallie’s death, James re-married. His second wife was Sue Stubblefield. They had three children.

During the winter of 1850-1851 James and his family moved from Bedford County, Tennessee to Bell County, Texas. They were part of a large wagon train consisting of Bighams, Coops, Morrises, Allens and others. James and his family settled in Bell County for a short time. Conditions in the newly formed county were very harsh at that time. James and his family returned to Tennessee where it is said that he later died while sitting in his chair.

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