THE FAMILY HISTORIES

OF JUDGE WILLIAM STOWT BATES

WRITTEN IN 1920 AND 1923

With Foreword by Paula Bryant Bonilla and

Comments by Jerry L. Brooks

January 11, 2017

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Photograph of Judge William Stowt Bates Page 3

2. Foreword by Paula Bryant Bonilla Pages 4-6

3. Introduction and Comments by Jerry L. Brooks Pages 7-8

4. 1920 Version of the Family History Written by Judge Wm. Stowt Bates Pages 9-30

5. 1923 Version of the Family History Written by Judge Wm. Stowt Bates Pages 31-68

6. Notes: (Page numbers in parenthesis below reflect the location of the note in document) Page 69

Note 1 – Creed Fulton Bates (Pg. 10) Pages 70-71

Note 2 – Phillip O’Reilly (Pg. 10) Pages 71-72

Note 3 – Mecklenburg Convention (Pg. 10) Page 72

Note 4 – Mississippi Normal College (Pg. 24) Pages 72-73

Note 5 – Henry L. Burkitt (Pg. 26) Page 74

Note 6 – Major Smith (Pg. 47 ) Page 75

Note 7 – Military Service of Judge Bates and His Father’s Second Cousin Pages 75-77
(Pg. 56)

Note 8 – General W. F. Brantley (Pg. 60) Pages 78-79

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

The Judge Bates House - National Register of Historic Places Pages 2-9

Winfield Bates Tabb, Grandson of Judge Bates Page 10

Pedigree Chart of William Stowt Bates Page 11

Genealogy Report – Descendants of Henderson Wesley Bates,

Father of William Stowt Bates Pages 16-24

Judge Thomas Nelson Martin – Photograph and Goodspeed Biography Pages 25-26

Background of the Two Versions and the Judge’s Sources of Information Pages 27-31

Current Day Map of Chickasaw and Adjoining Counties in Mississippi Page 32

8. Contact Information Page 33

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 Judge William Stowt Bates
1830-1928
Photo Taken July 22, 1922 – Age 92
Near the time he wrote his two family histories

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 FOREWORD
My mother, Doris Holbert Bryant, believed in the magic of memory. Her family photo albums were the
old-fashioned kind, with thick brittle pages and embossed covers tied with silk cords. Inside, I found
masses of black-and-white snapshots and formal portraits, held in place with glued-in black photo corners
that often spilled from the album into my lap as I went through them as a little girl, poring over them as if
they were real-life picture books that told a wordless story about my mother and me.

Doris Holbert Bryant

1924-2001
At age 17 - about 1941

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The most fascinating photo in the album, to me, was the striking portrait of William Stowt Bates (1830-
1928), my mother’s great-grandfather on her mother’s side, a quintessential Southern gentleman in a
dapper vested suit and dress shirt with a crisp stand-up collar and soft tie. He held a top hat in one hand, a
gold-tipped cane in the other. As a little girl born and reared in Southern California without much
knowledge of my cousins or grandparents back in Texas, I was intrigued by this personal evidence of my
mother’s Southern heritage. To think that I had such a distinguished ancestor! And not only that, he had
my mother’s expressive, deep-set blue eyes. This Southern gentleman’s intense gaze was both kind and
lively. For me, a child curious about my family tree, his unforgettable photo put an appealing,
approachable face on my vague impressions.

For years, my interest in family history remained contained, tucked away in Mom’s old albums. When I
was a teen in the seventies, my mom began genealogy research in earnest at the Mormon library in San
Diego, cranking through old microfilm every Saturday for hours on end. In the 1980s, she visited
Mississippi and had her photo taken amid the Bates family grave markers. She joined the Bourland
Society (the mother of William Stowt Bates was Eliza Elvira Bourland). In 1985, Doris Holbert Bryant
contributed information about the descendants of Judge Bates, as he is known, to A History of Chickasaw
County, Mississippi, published by The Chickasaw County Historical and Genealogical Society. This large
volume contained a biographical sketch of the life of Judge Bates by his grandson, Winfield Bates Tabb,
my mother’s uncle, which she endorsed.

Upon the publication of A History of Chickasaw County, Mississippi, my mother was also delighted to
see, for the first time, a youthful photo of her grandmother Maria (pronounced with a long “i”) Scott
Bates. Nicknamed Scottie, my mother knew her as “Little Mother,” and she had lived in Dallas, Texas,
with my mother and her namesake, my mother’s mother Scottie Sue Holbert, for many years in her old
age. Scottie Bates (1859-1947) is posing with her twin sister, Mary Martin Bates (1859-1950), known as
“May.” These twin daughters, the only children of William Stowt Bates, were responsible for persuading
Judge Bates to retell his family history in the two outstanding and imminently readable documents,
apparently transcribed word-for-word by an unknown typist from his oral retelling, that have made their
way to publication here.

I come into the picture late, having begun researching my family history in the spring of 2010 via
ancestry.com. I had been carrying with me, each time I moved, my own copy of the photo of Judge Bates,
as well as my late mother’s copy of A History of Chickasaw County, Mississippi (Doris passed away in
2001). One day, in July 2010, my fourth cousin Jerry L. Brooks saw my photo of William Stowt Bates on
my family tree on ancestry.com and contacted me via the website. I subsequently was overwhelmed to
discover that he was in possession of two family history documents written by William Stowt Bates. I
wasn’t aware of their existence, and I don’t believe that my mother—who had stopped her genealogy
research in the early 1990s due to ill health and never had the benefit of the Internet to aid her detective
work—had ever seen or heard of them herself. Jerry mailed me the typescripts, which were a delight and
a revelation. It is my pleasure and honor to be a part of preserving these writings for history, and it is my
hope that the documents will not only aid others in their genealogical research, but that they will bring
alive an era that is pivotal to the story of our nation and to our nation’s place in world history.

I believe that history is best brought to life through personal stories, and here you will find vignettes about
the settlement of new frontiers, the story of the tragic death of a young Confederate soldier (the only son
of Judge Thomas Nelson Martin, the father-in-law of William Stowt Bates and also my GGG

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grandfather), the chaotic political machinations of the Reconstruction, and more. Some of my favorite
passages are the simplest and most personal ones—Judge Bates’s recollections about the marriage of a
bashful young couple or his own courtly habit of proffering poseys from his wife’s garden to passing
young lovelies. Bates’s relatives, imminent and occasionally eccentric characters in their own right (Finis
Langdon Bates and his book about John Wilkes Booth comes to mind), come alive here as well, as Judge
Bates traces the branching of the family into Texas and parts west. I treasure and esteem these documents
as much as I know my cousin Jerry Brooks treasures and esteems them. My gratitude goes to Jerry for his
tireless labor and intelligent contributions on behalf of Judge Bates’s legacy.

Jerry is a seasoned and respected genealogist and well recognizes the merits of the Bates history
contained here, and he has been more than generous with his time and information as we have worked
together (he did almost all of the work, including diligent genealogical research, careful selection and
organization, and clear layout) to ready these documents for publication. My daughter Cerise Pratt
retyped the documents in Word, no easy task, and I thank her for her accurate and good-humored effort,
which has transformed the hard copies into digital form. For my part, I have attempted to copyedit the
documents for correct spelling and grammar while changing the original wording as little as possible, and
I have provided additional source information to Jerry wherever I have been able to find it via family
records, the Internet, or through collaborating with other researchers of the hundreds of interrelated
family members Bates has mentioned here.

It has been an eye-opening and thrilling experience to see my family history given a new and vigorous
voice to add to that unforgettable face in an old photo, thanks to this marvelous record left by my
mother’s great grandfather, Judge William Stowt Bates. I know that my late mother, who started this
journey of discovery for me, will be pleased with this new plot twist in the continuing story of our family
through history.

—Paula Bryant Bonilla

November, 2013

Paula Bryant Bonilla’s direct line connecting her with the Bates/Bourland family

Paula Bryant Bonilla (1959 - )

Doris Holbert Bryant (1924 – 2001)

Scottie Sue Tabb Holbert (1894-1989)

Maria Scott “Scottie” Bates Tabb (1859-1847)

William Stowt Bates (1830 – 1928)

Eliza Elvira Bourland (1815-1900)

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 INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTS

Descendants of the Bates, Martin, Bourland, Brooks and related families are indeed fortunate that Judge
William Stowt Bates authored two family histories wherein he shared his memories of those relatives who
he knew in his lifetime and information he believed to be correct concerning his ancestors. While some
of the information in the two histories is not correct, the remainder is a treasure of family information
which, without his efforts, would have never been known by future generations.

Perhaps the most significant error was his belief that his grandfather, Robert Patrick Bates (1790-1840),
was the son of William Bates (1737-1811) of Wythe County, Virginia. The father of his grandfather was
actually Elijah Bates (1770-1833), son of William Bates. Therefore, William Bates was the great great
grandfather of Judge Bates rather than great grandfather as he mentioned in his histories. Since Judge
Bates was only 10 years old when his grandfather died, he was denied the opportunity to receive as much
information from him about his ancestors had he lived until Judge Bates was older. For most of the
information about his ancestors Judge Bates relied on the research done by others, as mentioned below.

William Stowt Bates was born September 30, 1830 on his grandfather’s farm seven miles west of
Russellville, Franklin County, Alabama. He died April 24, 1928 in Houston, Chickasaw County,
Mississippi at the age of 97 years. His wife, Nancy Susan Martin Bates, had died earlier in 1917. His
home, The Judge Bates House, was built between 1845 and 1850 and is located in Houston, Chickasaw
County, Mississippi and is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built by J. C.
Keeney. Information regarding the house is provided at the end of this document. Based on Judge Bates’
1923 Version of his family history, Judge Bates served as Probate Judge of neighboring Pontotoc County
from 1860 to 1862. As he was preparing to enlist in the infantry, he moved his wife to Houston so she
might “have the watchful care and oversight of my faithful father-in-law, Judge Thomas N. Martin and
his wife, renting the home residence, later purchased, where I now reside.” Judge Bates apparently
purchased the house in February, 1864 as the Civil War was approaching its end. He was discharged
from the Confederate army in May 22, 1865 at Gainesville, Alabama.

The two remarkable family histories written by Judge Bates became known to Jerry Brooks, great great
grandson of Eliza Bates Brooks, the aunt of William Stowt Bates, sister of his father, Henderson Wesley
Bates. The lengthy, typed documents were sent to him in the 1980’s by Hilton McKinney of Houston,
Texas, now deceased, a distant relative of the Bates family. He obtained the copies from the Clayton
Library for Genealogical Research in Houston, Texas, although at this time the library can no longer
locate the documents. It is not known if the histories Judge Bates created were in hand-written form and
later typed or if they were typed originally. If the original documents were handwritten by Judge Bates,
they may well have been typed at a later date by his grandson, Winfield Bates Tabb (1883-1968) who was
born and died in the home of Judge Bates. Other persons or libraries obviously had access to the
documents since at least one other researcher has quoted information from his family histories in years
past.

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The two histories have been carefully reviewed in an attempt to correct known mistakes and to add
additional information regarding some of the people or events that Judge Bates mentioned. Spelling and
punctuation errors were corrected in certain instances for ease in reading. Minor corrections or
clarifications by the editor are shown throughout the document in parenthesis. More lengthy comments
by the editor appear as “notes” at the end of the document.

We are especially indebted to Jonathan Reeves, an excellent historian and genealogist, formerly of
Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi. Through his extensive efforts, we have learned much more
about Judge Bates and his father-in-law, Judge Martin, through the records he discovered at the court
house.

For those who may have interest in obtaining more information about Judge Bates and his father-in-law,
Judge Martin, the Special Collections Section of the Mitchell Memorial Library at Mississippi State
University, known as the “Atkinson Collection”, contains many documents of interest. The University
states, “The Atkinson Collection, 1838-1925, contains correspondence, legal papers, handwritten volumes
of court dockets from Chickasaw, Calhoun, and Pontotoc Counties, Mississippi, an account book, a
temperance broadside, and a genealogical report on the Bates family. These papers belonged to the law
firm of Martin and Bates, Houston, Mississippi. Judge Thomas Nelson Martin was the senior partner
with Judge William Stowt Bates, the junior partner.” More specific information about this extensive
collection may be obtained by contacting the University.

A Pedigree Chart of the ancestors of William Stowt Bates and a Genealogy Report of the Descendants of
his father, Henderson Wesley Bates, appear later in this document.

Jerry L. Brooks
January 11, 2017

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1920 VERSION OF THE FAMILY HISTORY
WRITTEN BY
JUDGE WM. STOWT BATES
AT AGE 91

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 (A copy for, and by request of my kindred Creed F. Bates, Jr.) (See Note 1.)

A compiled historical sketch and traditions as gathered of the

Bates-Bourland and Martin-Houser families

Written by request of our daughters, Mrs. May Bates White of Memphis, Tenn.,
and Mrs. Scottie Bates Tabb of Houston, Miss.

It is a mooted question as to whether or not the Bates ancestry is of Anglo-Saxon or Scotch-Irish

descent. One professing to have positive information says that it is unquestionably the latter. Only know
my grandfather prided much of his Scottish ancestry, and one of his most valued friends, Phillip O’Riley
of Tuscumbia, Alabama, was of that nativity. (See Note 2.)

My great-great-grandfather, Joseph Bates, was born in Wythe County, Virginia, near the seven-
mile Ford of the Holston River, about 1708. His children were: James, born 1734; Thomas, born 1735;
William, (my great-grandfather) born 1737, and Joseph, born unknown. (Correction -Joseph Bates was
actually the great great great grandfather of William Stowt Bates, and his son, William Bates, 1737-1811,
was the great great grandfather of William Stowt Bates. The birthplace of Joseph Bates has not been
confirmed, although the birthplace of his son, William Bates in 1737 is usually reflected as having
occurred near the Middle Ford of the Holston River in what is now Smyth County, Virginia. The
following comments refer to William Bates, 1737-1811, and not Joseph Bates.)

He was a militiaman in the voluntary service of North Carolina, and Ramsey’s Annals of
Tennessee credits him with other patriots with the distinction of joining John Savier (Sevier) as signers of
the Mecklenburg Memorial, to the Council of North Carolina; protesting against King George, and
craving freedom. Which antedates the Declaration of American Independence, which is featured in many
respects in citing many of the grievances named in that superb document. (See Note 3.) He was also a
soldier in the ensuring Revolutionary War, taking part in some of the important battles; among them, that
of King’s Mountain, North Carolina. [Correction - The Battle of King’s Mountain was in South Carolina,
near the North Carolina border.] He had children, James Alexander, Robert Patrick (my grandfather, born
about 1786) who married Jenny Hill near Sparta, White County, Tenn.; Elijah; Charles (who married and
removed to Indiana in 1833), Joseph (born 1777, died at his home in Tenn., 1848; Henderson (married
Sarah Gentry in 1810); and Thomas died at home place in Va. Had also two daughters, Mary and Jane;
tradition not in accord as to their marriage—James Alexander, son of William of Prince Edwards County,
Virginia, was in the line of that state troops for three years during the American Revolution.

From the foregoing, I infer that grandfather’s birthplace was in Virginia. Ezekiel, son of James A.
and brother of Robert P. Bates, also married Hannah Hill, sister of grandmother Jane Hill Bates.
(Correction-Ezekiel, 1794-1864, was the first cousin of Robert Patrick Bates, not his brother.) After
death of Hannah, Ezekiel’s first wife in 1834, he again married Elizabeth Douglass, who died in 1896.
(Hannah Hill Bates died January 19, 1837 in Bradley County, TN.) My father, Henderson Wesley, oldest
child of grandfather, Robert P. Bates, frequently spoke admiringly of his uncle Ezekiel Bates, and I take it

10
that his relationship was twofold. A first cousin by consanguinity, and uncle by affinity; the two having
married sisters. Hence comes the kinship with the issue of Ezekiel Bates by his two marriages. Often
heard my father speak of his cousin Russell Bates, who appears to be the oldest child of Ezekiel by first
marriage. (James Russell Bates was born 1815.)

Tradition, somewhat verified, links the chain of our branch of the Bates family with that of
Thomas Fleming Bates, father of the late Hon. Edward Bates of St. Louis, Missouri. Once a candidate for
presidential nomination before the Whig Convention, and later, Attorney General in President Lincoln’s
first Cabinet. A man of masterly mind, Batesville, Arkansas, was named in honor of his brother, Judge
James Woodson Bates, who was the first Territorial Congressman representing it.

Am informed by C. L. Bates, attorney at law, now of Holly Springs, Mississippi, that his
grandfather’s given name was John; that his father was John Thomas, born in South Carolina, 1809, died
in Grenada County, Mississippi, 1877, and had four brothers; Francis Marion Bates, who lived and died
in Kemper County, Mississippi; Clark Bates, who lived and died in Lee County, Mississippi; Alexander
Bates, who lived and died in Louisiana; and Buford Bates, a Presbyterian minister, who went to
California.

Francis Marion Bates has a son, Thomas A., living in Collin County, Texas. I note that Ezekiel
Bates’s fifth birth by his first marriage is Frances Marion. Also know that my father claimed kinship with
Clark Bates, brother of Frances Marion Bates’s father, and I know Clark, who measured fully to the Bates
standard, in all that generosity and love of humanity ennobles manhood.

I have been unable to trace kindred relations between our branch of the Virginia family and that
of the New England, except as to elevated, patriotic moral worth, leading to love of humanity. At close of
the American Revolution, our branch of the family drifted from Virginia into the new states of the
Southwest and South and there are but few of them without residents of the name.

My grandfather, Robert Patrick Bates, son of William Bates, was probably born in Virginia about
1788, though married in White County, Tennessee. And about 1817, removed family and opened a farm,
built a grist and sawmill, also a cotton gin, all propelled by the old time tub breast-wheel, propelled by
water conducted by race, by diverting a small creek four miles distant, near Russellville, Franklin County,
Alabama. Later removed to the western part of the county; with like energy, and characteristic enterprise,
constructed a like set of machinery, propelled by water gathered by dam-spanning Little Bear Creek, also
opening up a farming interest. Was a man of elevated aristocratic nature. Truly an elegant Southern
gentleman, and though not a sportsman; delighted in raising fine horses for the market, and was about
1842 thrown from one of them and instantly killed, leaving Grandmother Hill Bates surviving, who later
died at her son’s home in the northeast part of Itawamba County in 1852. (Comment - It is believed that
Robert Patrick Bates died in 1840 when Wm. Stowt Bates was about ten years old. His wife, Jane Hill
Bates, died November 1, 1853 at the home of her son, Henderson Wesley Bates, and was buried in the
Burgess Cemetery, Tishomingo County, Mississippi.)

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 SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF JANE HILL BATES AND ROBERT P. BATES

1st. Henderson Wesley, born in White County, Tenn. Sept. 30th, 1807. Eliza Elvira Bourland,
born 26th Dec., 1815, near Madisonville, Ky. Married near Russellville, Ala. 1828.

2nd. Levi, born 1809, married a McKinney after middle life in Western part of Franklin County,
Ala. and at once removed to Tarrant County, Texas where he filled the office of Court clerk by
successive elections for quite a number of years; he and wife died in that county without issue, about
1857. (Comment - Margaret Ann McKinney was the daughter of Collin McKinney and Permelia Ann
McMicken. After Levi’s death in 1852, Margaret married Archibald Rowan Hamilton Bennett the
following year, having four children by him.)

3rd. Thomas Marion, born ---. A merchant, late of Iuka, Miss. Married a Miss Burgess, about
1850, died of yellow fever in 1878, wife since dead. Their issue consisted of one son, now dead, and
daughters unknown to me.

4th. E. Anderson, born ---, also married Ellen McKinney, sister to his brother Levi’s wife about
1840, removing to Mississippi, soon after removed to Texas and established a cattle ranch, which proved
a success. Later settled in Uvalde County, same state and died at Batesville in that county in 1893, much
honored and respected as an upright Christian gentleman: wife now dead, and but few of their children
survive them. (Elijah Anderson Bates was born 1820 at Archibald, Franklin County, Alabama.)

Elijah Anderson Bates (1820-1893) and wife,

Ellen Jane McKinney (1823-1906)

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 5th. Finis Campbell, youngest son, born 1832, and I in 1830, were raised boy companions.
Married Miss Demmie Burgess, sister of his brother Thomas M. Bates’ wife soon after close of our Civil
War. Was a merchant at Baltville (Correction -Saltville, Lee County, MS) County, Miss, later removed to
Uvalde Co, Texas, where he held office by repeated election for quite 16 years, thence removing to
Eldorado, Schleicher County, in the same state, and was by election promoted still to office, which he
held when last heard from in 1911. A man from boyhood of most hilarious nature, full of life and constant
good-cheer. Had two grandsons in the World War, one of whom enjoys the distinction of having gone
“over the top.”

Finis Campbell Bates (1832-1931)

Grandfather and mother’s daughters were:

6th. Lucinda, who married Thomas J. Cook, later elected Sheriff of Franklin County, Ala. in the
early forties. Serving one term made him a financial success. Soon after removed with family to Hemstid
(Hempstead) County, Ark. and later killed in an altercation with Col. Gant of that county, leaving his
widow, several daughters and son Capt. John Cook, a Confederate soldier, who gave one arm to the lost
cause.

7th. Minerva, married Thales McKinney (Thalis Newton McKinney, Sr.), and soon after removed
to Uvalde County, Tex. where she died about 1876. Have no information as to their children, if any.
(Minerva Bates McKinney died December 14, 1882 in Uvalde County, TX. She gave birth to eleven
children.)

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 8th. Melverda, married still another McKinney, probably brother of Thales, and they too removed
to Uvalde County, Texas, where they both died without issue. (Melverda Bates married Julius Nicholas
McKinney, brother of Thalis Newton McKinney, Sr. and Ellen Jane McKinney who married Elijah
Anderson Bates. She gave birth to six children.)

Melverda Bates McKinney

1829-1908

9th. Amelda, married Prof. Isaac M. Downs, an educator marked for his attainments as such. They
likewise drifted to Uvalde County and about 1880, removed to Batesville, Zavalla Co. same state, where
both died without issue as far as I know. (Amelda married Isaac McCulloch Downs. She gave birth to
nine children and died in Zavala County, Texas in 1912.)

10th. Eliza, married Malone Brooks. At once removed from Alabama to East Texas where they
died, apparently without issue. (Eliza was born about 1824 in Franklin County, Alabama. She married
William Malone Brooks, Jr. about 1841 in Franklin County, Alabama. She, along with her husband’s
father, William Malone Brooks, Sr., migrated from Franklin County, Alabama about 1848, settling in
Ouachita County, Arkansas where they were recorded in the 1850 census. Eliza’s brother, Elijah
Anderson Bates and his family, along with several of his wife’s McKinney relatives, were in the
adjoining Hempstead County, Arkansas. By the early 1850’s, they were living in East Texas, Titus
County, Texas and later Birdville, Tarrant County, Texas. William Malone Brooks, Jr. apparently died in
1860 because Eliza was in Bastrop County, Texas for the 1860 census, shown as a widow with her
children. It is believed she gave birth to nine children, including three sons who served in the Texas
Confederate army. She and Malone Brooks were progenitors of hundreds of descendants, including Jerry
L. Brooks, editor of this document.)

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 John Dunn Brooks (1846-1921), son of Eliza Bates Brooks Green
Nancy Jane Mantooth Brooks (1847-1928), wife of John Dunn Brooks
Eliza Bates Brooks Green (1824-1912) – Dau. of Robert Patrick Bates
and Sister of Henderson Wesley Bates, father of Judge William Stowt Bates

It was my pleasure to know all these uncles and aunts in boyhood and with no little degree of
family pride; now that all have passed to their final reward, to bear humble testimony of the superb moral
character and respect of all men. To the manner born, unpretentious, patriotic, and loyal.

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 MY MATERNAL BOURLAND ANCESTRY

Grandfather Ebenezer Bourland, son of John Bourland, married Abigail Loving in South
Carolina; he was twelve years old at outbreak of our American Revolutionary War. Three of the Bourland
brothers married Loving sisters; all removing to Kentucky, settling at or near Madisonville. It is a
tradition of the family that it moved to North Ireland from Scotland three hundred years ago. John
Bourland, father of my grandfather Ebenezer Bourland, is first revealed to his ancestry as a young man in
South Carolina, where he married Catherine Randolph, in the line of descent from John Randolph of
Roanoke, Virginia, and of the families of Lee and Thomas Jefferson. In 1917, Grandfather Ebenezer
removed from Kentucky to Russell Valley near Russellville, Franklin Co., Alabama, where he opened up
a farm on Cedar Creek, a close neighbor, and brother in the Primitive Baptist Church of which the father
of General Ruben Davis, late of Aberdeen, Miss, an eminent criminal lawyer, was a member.

In 1833, grandfather and sons, except Judge James S., removed to the new state of Arkansas,
locating near Ozark, Franklin Co. His family consisted of seven sons; (1) William; (2) Gabriel; (3) James
S.; (4) Dubart Lee; (5) Henderson; (6) Alney; (7) Ebenezer, and three daughters: (1) Sarah; (2) Catherine,
and (3) Eliza Elvira, my mother, last of issue, born with twin brother. (There is no information
concerning a twin brother of Eliza Elviry Bourland; therefore, he perhaps died as a young child.)

Being only three years old when grandfather Bourland removed, I have no personal memory of
him, nor of my uncles and aunts, except Aunt Catherine, wife of George McKinney, who years after also
removed to Arkansas where both died without issue. As a boy, I was a great admirer of Aunt Catherine,
because of her superb, erect, graceful manner of plain neat dress (much after my mother’s manner) and
constant good cheer. Grew from early boy to manhood in the country neighborhood of my uncle James S.
Bourland, a Primitive Baptist, whose noble Christian life to this day has been a real benediction, like that
of my mother, whose last words in death as she embraced me was, “God bless my sweet, faithful son.”
And although these loved ones passed from this life quite twenty years ago, yet their memories are
cherished and sweet faces are photographed on my memory as fresh and green as of yesterday.

MARRIAGE AND ISSUE OF MOTHER, ELIZA ELVIRA BOURLAND BATES AND

HENDERSON WESLEY BATES.

Father and mother married almost at an inexcusably young age. Father nineteen and mother
fourteen. But the early union seemed to mold the two into one; the pleasure of one being the sweet will of
the other. I, the oldest of twelve, reared into man and womanhood were taught by my father, that mother
was sole Queen of the household.

First of all to be tenderly cared for. And thus as I retrospect the sweet memories of parental care,
and moral example and discipline that ruled our childhood home, I am led to exclaim, “Surely goodness
and mercy has been with us from childhood’s hour”; and my heart thrilled with joy as I retrospect
parental home life, and characterize it as near an Eden as could be any mortality.

After father and mother’s marriage, they located near Russellville, Alabama, and later, in about
1838, removed to the western part of Franklin County, Alabama, seventeen miles west of Russellville,
where father opened up a small farm on Little Bear Creek, and again about 1842, removed family to the

16
Southern part of Itawamba County, Mississippi, again opening up a small farm on the Tombigbee River.
In the meantime, embarking in the mercantile trade in the Village of Van Buren four miles north on the
same river; conducted in the firm name of Bates and Richey, thus recovering from a state of bankruptcy,
growing out of the financial panic of 1837. So at this settlement, known as the “Wheeling Home,” their
family of children were all principally reared. But again, father’s regained losses of 1837, again vanished
with the fall of the Confederate government, and he removed with a small remnant of family to Waco,
Texas, again embarking in merchandise trade, and later died of chronic troubles at Bryan, Texas.

The children of mother and father were:

1st. William Stowt, (self) born near Russellville, Ala. September 30th, 1830. (Will write of self at
close.)

2nd. Robert Patrick, born near Russellville, Alabama, 1832. On the outbreak of the Civil War, at
once raised and organized an infantry company, later composing one of attached to the 2 nd Mississippi
Confederate infantry, commanded by the late Col. W.C. Falkner of Ripley, Miss. taking part in the First
Battle of Manassas. At close of his enlistment of 1 st year’s service, and reorganization of army, he was
connected on Staff of General Richardson; ranking as a Major of Cavalry. At close of Civil War removed
to Texas, opening up a mercantile trade at Sherman that state, and at meridian of life, married a Miss
Jester of Corsicana, sister of George T. Jester, Lieutenant Governor, during the administration of ex-
governor Culbertson, now one of the U.S. Senators from Texas. Died in hospital at Fort Worth, Texas, in
1916. Wife at Corsicana in 1918. Leaving one son, Robert P. surviving; resident and bank cashier in that
lively, prosperous town. (Robert Patrick Bates married Vina Cordelia Jester, younger sister of George
Taylor Jester. Two daughters died prior to 1923.)

3rd. Mary Catherine, born in Alabama, 1834; married Thomas P. Dutton, about 1858. Dutton, a
prosperous farmer. Lost slaves at close of Civil War, afterwards removed with family to McClelland
County, Tex. Purchasing body of land upon which its county cite was located, from sale of which cut into
lots, he regained much of bellum losses, husband departed this life at his town Brady, about 1880, wife in
1918, leaving children surviving and residing there. (Mary Catherine gave birth to nine children.)

4th. Margaret Jane, born 1836, married Van B. McFadden, 1880. At outbreak of Civil War,
enlisted a private in the infantry branch of the Confederate cause, where he served as such to its close. He
was a merchant. At close of war, removed with family to Memphis, Tennessee, where he died. Later his
noble, sweet-spirited wife died at the Christian hospitable home of her son-in-law, Walter Reynolds, at
Union City, Tennessee, leaving a son and daughter surviving there.

5th. Elizabeth Ann, born 1838, married James M. Cayce, who soon after enlisted as a private in
the infantry branch of the Confederacy service in the Civil War; being discharged at its close, soon after
opened up a dry goods business at Guntown, Lee County, Miss; later removed family to Waco, Texas,
where he suddenly died of a paralytic stroke, leaving surviving, his widow, now resident of Dallas, Texas,
widowed daughter Mrs. Llewellyn, and son Carl, all of that state.

6th. Melverta, born 1841, married James M. Bourland, M.D., after the close of the Civil War. At
once removed to Arkansas, locating at Curtis, Clark County, where he died, followed by his wife, leaving
surviving a son; Dr. Bourland, now of Camden, Arkansas, and daughters.

17
 7th. James Thomas, born 1844, married a Miss Smith, about 1880, and at opening of Civil War,
enlisted in infantry service battling for the Confederate cause. He was member of his brother’s company,
taking part in the 1st Battle of Manassas, in which he only lost a finger. He fought all through the Virginia
campaigns, and, at close of hostilities, rejoined loved ones for the first time since enlistment; soon after
removed with family to Western Texas, where he opened up a small cattle ranch, where he prospered, but,
not content with small gains, sought to still gather more, sold his ranch of common cattle, and invested in
higher grade; thus transplanting same by removal and location in New Mexico, where he soon after died,
leaving surviving his widow and small family of children. (James Thomas married Margaret V.
Smith1863 in Itawamba County, Mississippi.)

8th. Ebenezer Houston, born 1846, also espoused the Confederate cause by enlisting in the
cavalry service, serving throughout and being discharged, then in the vigor of young manhood. He too,
drifted to Waco, Texas, where reaching mature, thoughtful manhood age married a Miss White, and the
two are unfortunately deprived of the household comforts of children; residing all alone on a well-
directed elegant farm in bend of the Brazes River. Residence: Hammond, Texas. (Ebenezer Houston
married Julia White. They had no children.)

9th. Finis Langdon, born 1848. At close of the Civil War, father permitted him to remain with
me, and in the meantime he entered the Summerville Institute, where he closed his school days, and at
once entered the law office of Martin & Bates, where I carried him through a regular course of law; being
licensed to practice the profession; he soon after married Miss Bertha Money of Carrollton, Miss. sister of
the late U.S. Senator Hernando D. Money, and at once removed to Granbury, Hood County, Texas, and
opened up a law office, and at once gained the favor and confidence of an apparent recluse, who occupied
the backroom of a grocery owned by him, but conducted by another. In quite a year later, the recluse was
indicted under the fictitious name the business was being conducted for a violation of one of the Federal
statutes. Thus being arrested, the recluse sought the advice of my brother, but first invoking secrecy as
between client and attorney, when he retained him for his defense, stating at the same time he could not
consent to enter a personal appearance in answer to the charge, that he was evading personal
identification, then placing a roll of money in his hand, “Take this, go to court in my defense, enter a plea
of guilty and pay the fine assessed by the court out of it.” (Fortunately perhaps for the recluse, the Federal
attorney prosecuting the case was a brother of my family physician, well-known to my brother while an
inmate of our home, which he made known to the prosecuting attorney.)

This confidential relation continued unbroken to the day of the suicide of the recluse at Enid,
Oklahoma, during which period he rehearsed the ordeals through which he had passed since the
assassination of President Lincoln, frankly confessing he was the real guilty party, and exonerating Mrs.
Surratt from any complicity in the plot.

Since the suicide of the real John Wilkes Booth, confessor of the inexcusable assassination of
President Lincoln, this brother has written quite a creditable book full of special pleading supported by
apparently credible evidence, that President Lincoln’s real assassinator, since the night of that tragedy,
full of remorse, and a lonely wanderer, weighted with sorrow, ended his life by suicide with same hand
and like manner as he did that of the President.

Dissatisfied with the wiles and schemes of Western life, [my brother] returned to Mississippi,
locating to Greenville, was at once made attorney for its street railway, and later owner of most of its

18
stock. In the meantime, he lost his sweet and amiable wife, sold his interests there and removed to
Memphis, Tennessee, where he married a Miss Doyle, and yet resides there, having practically retired
from a lucrative practice of law, caused from motor car hurt. Issue of first marriage, a son and daughter,
and like issue by last. (Finis Langdon married Madge D. Doyle, 1890 in Shelby County, Tennessee. He
had three children by his first wife and two, by his second wife.)

Finis Langdon Bates

1848-1923

10th. Alice, born 1856, educated at Tewakna[?], Tex. Married Hon. George T. Jester of Corsicana,
Texas, later a State Senator from Navarro Co. in the Texas legislature, then Lieutenant Governor, pending
administration of Governor Culbertson; now U.S. Senator from that state. The Jester family are all
bankers. This sister died at the Jester home in Corsicana at an early age of marriage, leaving an infant

19
daughter, now wife of Dr. Johnson, head of the Fort Worth Infirmary, Texas, and one son, now a financial

adventurer on Wall Street, New York.

11th. Knox, born 1851, grew into manhood at our father’s homes in Tex. Finally drifted to a
Western part of the state; married below his grade; was not favored in his elevated notion of home life,
though notwithstanding, remains true to all the enabling family characteristics. (Knox married Sarah
Sallie Crow 1873 in Hood County, Texas.)

12th. Jeffie, born 1861. Educated with our daughters under tuition of Miss Bettie Scott,
Governess, a Virginian, and well-versed in music, mathematics, and the languages. Married at an early
age to Mr. — Lockhart. Died in Bremond, Texas, leaving surviving a daughter Mabel, now wife of Bruce
Campbell, a lumber merchant. (Jeffie married William Fletcher Locard July 3, 1877 in Lee County,
Mississippi.)

20
 MARTIN-HOUSER FAMILY

William Martin, born 1794. Hannah, his wife, born 1777. A farmer residing near King’s
Mountain, North Carolina, where they reared a large and highly respected family. Among their sons were
Thomas Nelson Martin, who married a Miss Parthena Houser, daughter of — Houser of South Carolina, a
Stone Mason; resident of York County, (who built the first stone-dressed house of the county, now as
perfect in structure as when completed). (Parthenia was the daughter of John and Nancy James Houser.)

Among their sons were James Martin, a missionary Baptist preacher; flushed with the spirit of
religious evangelistic work, he removed from that state to the fertile fields of Northeast Mississippi,
locating near Houston, Chickasaw County, where he opened up a little farm and began his chosen life
work of missions; achieving marked success in those days of primitive service in the advancement of Our
Master’s cause. And although he began his siege against the bulwarks of sin, in 1836, and has at last gone
to his reward, yet his Gin-shed and Tent meetings survive him, and are yet by tradition kept fresh in the
memory of the descendants of his old congregations.

Soon after the removal of James to Mississippi, his brother Thomas Nelson Martin, in 1836,
removed with little family and located twenty miles west of Houston, he too opened up a little farm, in
what is now and since been called the “Dark Corner of Calhoun,” where he in connection taught an
A.B.C. school as an enlightener. Later, he was elected to the office of Clerk of Probates of Chickasaw
County, holding it a second term; at close of term, he was then admitted to the bar as an attorney at law,
with license to practice in all our state courts, and soon after, the law partnership of Thompson & Martin
was formed at Houston, and continued until the beginning of the Civil War, though in the meantime, he
kept up his farming interest as well, and was also owner, editor, and proprietor of the Houston Patriot, a
democratic county paper, published in his town.

Judge Martin, so called, was a man of recognized moral worth, a patriot to the manner born, kind,
and benevolent, and an Old School Presbyterian, and one of the Ruling Elders of his church for more than
fifty years prior to his death. He was elected to the Mississippi State Senate and later to the Congress of
the United States from his district, pending the period of Reconstruction, but none of the Mississippi
delegation favored at that election were admitted to seats, although their election was in pursuance of the
proclamation of the president, Andrew Johnson. (See Note 11.)

The issue of Thomas Nelson Martin, and Parthena Houser Martin, who were
th
married on the 7 Sept, 1830, who reached man and womanhood were:

1st. Mary Jane’s 1st marriage was to William A. Scott, druggist of Houston, 1848, after his death,
2nd husband R. N. Dominic, farmer and miller, 1854. Both dead, leaving children surviving.

2nd. Sarah Ann married D.C. Dulaney, a farmer, 1848. Husband died 1871, at home in Houston,
leaving surviving, wife, three sons, and two daughters.

3rd. Nancy Susan Martin, wife of William S. Bates, born Sept, 8th 1836. Issue of marriage, twin
daughters. Mrs. Scottie Bates Tabb, resident of Houston, and Mrs. May Bates White, resident of

21
Memphis, Tennessee, both widows for quite twenty years, their children all grown into man and
womanhood.

4th. William, born ---. Was student in the University of Mississippi at outbreak of Civil War,
though not subject to military duty, left that institution, and went to Virginia, where he entered the
Confederate Branch of its army as private, (infantry) soon after was mortally wounded at the Battle of
Malvern Hill near Richmond, July 1862, and died on the night of the same month, was put at rest by his
father, who at once hastened to his relief, in Oak Grove Cemetery near Richmond. Like all true
Christians, young Martin was a true patriot. (William was born February 26, 1839.)

5th. Hannah Virginia, born --- married Capt. W. J. Howell, of the Confederate States army, 1863.
At the close of the war, they purchased a farm, now part of the coming city of Greenwood, DeFlore
County, Mississippi, removed family there, where he died about 1910, and wife 1920, leaving surviving
two sons and six daughters, residents of Greenwood.

6th. Martha Oregon, born --- married 1st T. W. Blakely, who died 1881, and — Roberts, and
lastly Rev. Pearson, quite an eminent Old School Presbyterian minister at Henrietta, Texas. No issue of
either marriage. The widow yet surviving, now resident of Houston, Mississippi. (Martha Oregon was
born August 8, 1846.)

7th. Laura Alice, born ---, married H. C. Pruitt, 1870, died at Houston, Mississippi, 1878, leaving
farm interests nearby, survived by widow, a son and daughter, the son later graduated at University of
Miss. daughter in Normal College, Houston, Miss. Later, son went under employment of Government as
Superintendent of Schools in Philippine Islands, remaining as such quite ten years, and is now an apple
grower with family in the state of Washington. The daughter is the wife of Rev. W. F. Petty, a Missionary
Baptist Minister in charge of churches and also resides near his brother-in-law Pruitt; Mrs. Alice Martin
Pruitt, yet a resident of Houston. (Laura Alice was born May 14, 1849.)

NOW OF SELF AND MARRIED LIFE.

Though reared somewhat in frontier region, following up the receding Indian tribes removing
westward, an heir of the disastrous money panic of 1837, from which father did not recover until I had
about reached manhood; hence I was deprived of the educational advantages I would otherwise had fitting
me for chosen profession of my earliest memory (the law); though to this end, I made the best use
possible of the advantages afforded in the old field-country schools, closing with a somewhat selected
course of schooling at Irving College, in Warren County, Tennessee, returning to my father’s home at the
close of 1849, where I remained as one of the clerks in his store until July 1854, when I entered the Law
Office of Fontain and Bradford, at Pontotoc, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, for a course of reading
directed by them, continued until the close of 1856 when licensed to practice the profession in all the state
courts.

At once I opened up an office at that town. Though an entire stranger when I entered the county
in 1854, my practice was from the first self-sustaining, which was an agreeable surprise to me. But on
entering the profession as a chosen life work, I sought God’s guidance, and from the management of my
first cases to the present, never went into a trial of one magnitude, without seeking His guidance, that my

22
ambition for personal gain or notoriety as a successful lawyer, might not swerve me from the paths of
Christian duty, exemplified in their management.

Blessed with this gracious success in my profession, contemplating marriage, purchased an

unpretentious home on Main Street in Pontotoc, and on 13th October, 1858, married Miss Nancy Susan
Martin, daughter of the Hon. Thomas Nelson Martin, of Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi, and
ignoring the late folly of a bridal tour, we at once settled down to old time housekeeping in our little Main
Street Pontotoc home. And, as in my law practice, wife and I sought the influence and guidance of God’s
oversight of the home, conforming as nearly as falls to the lot of frail humanity, to live and square the
coming days of life allotted us, in an observance of the divine rules given in the Ten Commandments.
And to give good cheer, and mellow and strengthen us in the coveted cause Christian faith, our home
from that day to wife’s death on 27th July 1917, was ever open to a cordial reception and entertainment of
the ministry of all evangelical denominations. So, blessed and surrounded by these influences, our
marriage life was unified, and strengthened in faith, as we oftentimes read the 23 rd Psalm; “David’s
Confidence in God’s Grace”; which called forth the expression of wife; lingering with chronic troubles
which claimed her sweet, patiently suffering life, that “Although our married life of sixty years, had been
mixed with sunshine and darkened by cloud, yet surely God’s goodness and mercy has been with us; for
He has given us contentment; never having a desire needful for our comfort that was not in the end
given.”

Our twin daughters, Mary Martin, and Maria Scott, were born at Houston, Mississippi,
November 6th, 1859; growing into school age, primarily taught by their mother, and [their] education
completed under the supervision of a governess in our home – Miss Bettie Scott, quite an accomplished
school teacher, late of Virginia.

23
 Mrs. Scottie Bates Tabb
(1859-1947)

[I] was elected Judge of the Probate Court of Pontotoc in 1860, for a term of two years, and
during this short judicial service, litigation before me grew up fierce and strong, so much so, and on one
especial occasion, where one of my old law preceptors, dear to me almost as a father represented one of
the litigants, and one lawyer quite as able, the other. I did not concur in opinion with the views presented
by my beloved law preceptor in support of his client’s cause. Consequently, [I] was great[ly] beset,
because of this difference of opinion, and the payment of a debt of lasting gratitude due the lawyer friend,
augmented by the further fact of the effrontery of assuming to differ with the views presented in his
argument of his client’s cause, but reaching the conclusion that the crucial period of testing honesty of
purpose, regardless disinterested favors, lavisoushly [sic] bested, decided the contest adversely to the
views of my friend Judge Bradford. A few years later Judge Bradford was elected Circuit Judge of our
district, and while presiding as much at Houston, Martin & Bates, just before a diner recess, representing

24
the defense in a criminal case, filled a demurrer to the indictment, I having delivered to opening argument
in its support, recess was announced, the judge and I coming down the stairway arm and arm, remarked
Bates, “I do not concur in your view of the insufficiency of that indictment.” Having in mind my cross in
non-concurrence of his view of the Probate court case, responded. “Would not dare to intimate that you
sustain our demurrer over your honest convictions leading to the ends of open-handed justice.”

But another incident, more of levity; marked my judicial career. During one of the terms of my
court, and just before recess for dinner, the deputy sheriff (a humorous, jocular fellow) approached me to
know if I, as judge, could “marry people”; [I] replied, “Certainly,” then said he, “There is a couple here
who walked in from the ‘sticks,’ who wish to ‘get married.’” Replying, “Inform them that at reopening of
court at 1 P.M., I will perform the ceremony.” So, in the meantime, the deputy was laying the scheme for
covert levity. Taking the groom aside, he told him people were not married in town like in the country;
that in town, the custom was for the one officiating in marriage, after close of ceremony, to call on the
groom to salute his bride by hug and kiss; but said he to the groom, “Judge Bates, being a modest man,
rather not make this request, so he will let me make the call.” The groom responding, “I prefer you make
it.” In the recess hour the young deputy lost no time in notifying the townspeople of the approaching
marriage, which resulted in a crowded courtroom, composed in part of three honored ministers of the
gospel. When the deputy sheriff chaperone entered the room with the prospective bride and groom,
modestly attired in homespun and presented themselves to take the solemn vows of wedded life, and at its
close the call of “Groom Salute Your Bride,” in a loud tone from a secreted corner of the courtroom by
the chaperone sheriff, “The groom will salute his bride by hug and kiss,” which was promptly obeyed,
and mirthfully greeted by the crowd collected to witness the marriage service. And although, all planned
without my knowledge or consent, the good humor manifested, condoned for the breach of Court dignity,
and my memory being perpetuated by the newly married couple giving their first born my name.

At close of my judicial term on First January, 1863, removed family to Houston, where my little
family would have the care and oversight of wife’s father and mother, and at once entered the army of the
Confederate States, as private in the 8th Mississippi Cavalry, but was soon transferred on detailed duty,
where I served in the Quartermaster’s Commissary and Ordnance departments to the close of the war,
when discharged at Demopolis, Alabama, in 1865. Returning home contrary to our purpose, decided to
make Houston our permanent home where I had bought the homestead, since greatly improved, where we
yet reside, and opened up the battle of life hopefully and trustfully to regain antebellum losses. And to
this end, [I] formed an equal partnership in law with my father-in-law, under the firm name of Martin &
Bates, which with entire unanimity, rewarded by a lucrative practice equal to that of our fellows, and only
dissolved by his death in 1886, (covering period of 21 years of perfect harmony) In the meantime, were
entrusted by clients with complicated litigation involving large sums of money, necessarily demanding
our constant care and oversight in the Federal and State Courts, and the necessity of an enlarged law
library.

But notwithstanding our activity in our law practice, neither Judge Martin nor I completely
selfish, and sought to hold the front [unreadable text] in nowise losing sight of the political agitation with
which the country was afflicted pending the Reconstruction of the Confederate States government, and
our section of the county being without railroad outlet nearer than twenty miles distant, took a lively
interest in promoting two contemplated lines, one east and west through the county and another north and

25
south, both giving Houston outlet, which is now an accomplished fact, but death deprived him of this
pleasure.

My first official position, [which] was given me by an election after [the] close of the Civil War,
was prosecuting attorney of the county, charged under the law to prosecute misdemeanors – proceeding
by written information in a newly created county court system, as by indictment in our circuit courts;
holding the office until the abolishment of the court by legislative enactment. Then, as most ambitious
young men, I concluded that the safety and well-being of both State and Federal governments were
dependent somewhat on my wisdom in steering legislation in future years, and as a stepping stone to
future usefulness to this end, but not without influential solicitation, announced my candidacy for State
Senator, subject to a primary election nomination, realizing the magnitude and expense necessary to carry
the newly enfranchised Negro vote then controlling the nomination. And at the same time, proceeding on
the inexcusable theory, “That all things are excusable in politics, as in war,” [I] launched out on a
thorough canvass with money to purchase the Negro vote, [and] pleaded to my support by their club
leader, paying from $20 to $30 leaders for the promise of the consolidated vote favoring my nomination,
spending more than $500 in this initiatory experiment. While in this canvass, I attended the
commencement exercises of what was known as the Troy School, a private institution of considerable
notoriety, owned and built up at considerable expense by my personal friend, Professor Abernethy. The
classes there on public examination demonstrated such proficiency in advancement as to excite my
solicitude in an effort to induce these educators to transfer their growing school interests to Houston, a
point offering better advantage than at Troy, because of the railroad facilities near at hand. And at close of
my canvass at once began an agitation of the question of removal to Houston, which resulted, in its
transfer, when it was chartered as the Mississippi Normal College, and a magnificent success; having an
average attendance of from 300 to 400 pupils representing all sections of the state, and after 20 years of
unparalleled usefulness; giving educational advantages without stint to all – depriving none, because of
inability to pay at once tuition and board, such were given time at close of education, and after the public
school system practically took its place, the Mississippi Normal College has been no more, since which,
in conversation with Professor Abernethy, [I] was informed that he had never lost a dollar where he had
extended time for payment of board and tuition. (See Note 4.)

Another incident in connection with my canvass, and one which impressed me that God is not
unmindful of his children who having the means given them by Him, who use them in the spirit of
benevolence – administering to the relief of the poor. And though they have gone to the grave, that their
good deeds keep the past in grateful remembrance. I was invited to spend the night in the hospitable home
of an old and valued friend. Supper was announced, the husband entering with me, introduced me as
Judge Bates; the wife, her face seemed to glow with grateful emotion, when she asked, “Where were you
born?” [I] replying, “Near Russellville, Franklin County, Ala.” “What relation to Patrick Bates?” [I]
responding, “He was my grandfather,” and with increased emotion, [she] exclaimed, “One of the best and
most benevolent men I [have] ever known; [he] was a man well to do; I am one of several daughters of a
poor widowed mother, we lived on his farm for several years, and I never know him to deny the needy
assistance.”

Primary election day came, and resulted in my defeat. So I, as all defeated candidates do, on day
of announcement of the result, began an inquiry as to the cause. Was informed, that the Negroes in pririe
belt cast their vote against me, stating, my opponent had bought them up. Then too, false returns as to

26
results were made, and one particular instance of the fact was related to me by a friend, giving a
[unreadable text] mounted his horse to go home was halted [unreadable text] and certify the returns, and
[unreadable text] it was reported, I replied. (Comment –“pririe belt” was likely an area in the eastern side
of Chickasaw County or perhaps the near the town of Prairie in neighboring Monroe County. Those areas
were where the large plantations were located and, therefore, large numbers of former slaves.)

Governor Alcorn, though a Republican, was elected at the close of the obnoxious military rule
that devastated the state, and to allay and put at rest, and gain the lost favor caused by obnoxious
appointments of carpet-bag and scalawag incompetents to office. Announced in his Inaugural Address;
that he would ignore party lines then drawn, and in his executive appointments would be solely governed
by the Jeffersonian rule of “Honesty, capability and faithfulness.” Convinced in my own mind, that by
commendation of friends, I would bear this test of his efficiency, knowing he had appointed my life-long
friend, Judge Orr, judge of the Circuit Court of his district. Not yet being content without action, [I]
sought his commendation of my fitness for the office of district attorney to the governor. Responding to
this request, the Judge replied [that] he would take pleasure in doing so, provided I would muster into
line. Comprehending the intimation, I replied, that there was [sic] not offices enough within the gift of the
Governor to induce my alignment in the ranks of the Republican Party. (James L. Alcorn served as one
of few Republican governors of Mississippi, serving from March 10, 1870 to November 30, 1871.)

Pending the Reconstruction period, knowing that the Republican Party was determined to hold
power, the Democratic Party did nothing more than to perpetuate its alignment by the old method of
holding conventions and nominating “figureheads” to be voted for at the coming election, with no hope or
expectation of his election. But the opportune time came, verifying the old saying, that “when thieves fall
out, just men get their dues.” Following up the figurehead plan of nomination, the Democratic Party in
convention nominated for Congress in our district, Capt. H. D. Money, of Carrolton, Carroll County, soon
after which, it seems [that the] Chairman of our Congressional District discovered that the Republicans
could not unite in harmony on a single nomination. The Chairman of our Democratic Executive
Committee, being an astute politician, and, as well, a good wire-puller, seeing an opening for democratic
success, and as I believed having in Aberdeen a friend he wished to push into Congress, sought to ignore
the nomination of young Money, and to this end, called another Congressional District Convention to
convene at West Point for the designated purpose. I at once characterized this move by our Chairman as
in bad faith, ungenerous and humiliating to the then nominee, and openly favored his retention as our
candidate before our county convention, assembled pursuant to that call; at which I was appointed
Chairman of our seven delegates to attend the schemed West Point Convention. Had never met Capt.
Money until two days before meeting at West Point, only learning of him as the brilliant editor of his
town paper, The Carrollton Conservative, because of his bold stand and brilliant editorials pending the
boisterous days of Reconstruction, when he was our home guest en route for the newly called convention,
whence I accompanied him.

Having learned something of maneuvering in politics in my race for senatorial nomination

(though somewhat ashamed of some things I did) determined that the ends to be accomplished in the re-
nomination of my friend Money were justifiable, so, from the meeting of our County Convention, to the
case of the Convention at West Point, I put in motion my best political scheming. Leaving our home on
Monday, young Money and I spent the night as the guests of my old and intimate friend, H. L. Burkett, an
old retired Tennessee lawyer, both eccentric and egotistic. (See Note 5.) While partaking of his

27
hospitalities, [I] inquired if he was a delegate to the Congressional Convention from his county. At the
same time, knowing that he favored the re-nomination of Money and would attend the convention the
next day, I said to him that, inasmuch as he was an old lawyer, and familiar with parliamentary usage, and
resident of the county in which the convention was held, I thought that it would be a just tribute to make
him Chairman of the Convention, to which he entered no protest. So next morning we rode into West
Point, and my arrival was at once met by my lawyer friend Houston from Aberdeen, an astute political
wire-worker, who, knowing my personal friendship for ex-Congressman Davis of his city, said, “Let’s
nominate Reuben Davis today.” I replied no, stating I favored the re-nomination of Money, that the
convention was called to sidetrack having learned that several of the counties of the district had two sets
of delegates seeking seats, and that the success and escape from [unreadable text] the seating of delegates
favoring his [unreadable text] in life, than while the retir- [unreadable text] was speaking preparat-
[unreadable text] at once, on his announcement of [unreadable text] word, and moved that General H. L.
Burkett of Clay County be selected temporary Chairman, which prevailed without dissent. The call of
delegates disclosed contesting delegations from several counties, when the Chairman appointed me a
member of the committees on contesting seats in the convention, and the committee being all Money men
seated his friends; but still my anxiety was not put at rest, lest the permanent chairmanship should be lost
favoring of schemes to nominate. So, lest I should be suspected, had a friend to move that Genl. Burkett,
be declared permanent chairman, which also met favor. But be it said to the credit of Capt. Money, he had
no knowledge of the plans I had laid to secure his meritorious nomination after a boisterous contest
adroitly managed by the sidetrack faction on the seventeenth ballot, who immediately entered the
canvass, and was elected with the landslide of 1875, which swept from our state carpet-bag, scalawag and
Negro domination, and was thereafter successively elected to Congress from our district, then one of our
Senators, recognized by his follows of the U.S. Senate, as one of its most learned and useful of members.
Was from first acquaintance to close of his life, a grateful and loyal friend; always our welcome
household guest when canvassing in my county.

The law firm practice of Martin & Bates, of which I was the junior, extended over three adjoining
counties, courts then only reached by private conveyance over bad roads, hence this labor properly fell to
my lot, which was cheerfully performed, and on one of those court trips I passed a little farm, where I
discovered a small girl plowing, and my sympathy being aroused at the scene, loathsome to me, inquired
who she was, but to learn [that] she was the daughter and only child of a poor widowed client of ours in a
pending chancery land suit, which in the end resulted in her success. This scene, I reported to my senior
partner, and we regarded her as an object of charity, decided to give her our $50 fee. In this connection, I
mention another circumstance, among many others of professional charitable legal practice. A Negro
deacon in his church had been indicted on a charge of disturbing public worship at his own church, and
his white friends, being convinced of his innocence, and that it was a malicious prosecution by the
brethren, and of his poverty and inability to pay an attorney to defend him, called at our office and
relating these facts, sought our gratuitous services in his defense as a matter of charity. Thus, I took
personal charge of his defense in court, and when put upon trial, the old deacon darkey’s good name
given by his white neighbor friends was fully sustained, and he acquitted by the jury.

At another period, pending our law practice, I was retained by the state to prosecute a man for a
petty misdemeanor, resulting in his conviction, and years after was approached by him in a spirit of
gratitude, though I had forgotten it, when he thanked me for the mild temper and genteel manner I had

28
prosecuted him. “Saying your manner and bearing in assailing my violation of the law, made a man of
me, and has led me to a higher and nobler life.”

Rocked in the cradle of generous hospitality, from boy to mature manhood, a lover of humanity,
stimulated with a desire to live by precept and example, in such way as build up moral and religious
influences. An ardent lover of children and the aged. Another of the chief purposes and pleasures of the
long life of which God has given me. And though one mixes with sunshine and shadows, yet He has
blessed me and mine with more of sunshine than shadow. For by faith, wife and I during our sweet
pilgrimage of married life, were enabled to realize the encouraging stanza written by Webster in his
Spelling Book for the Little Children, that “Behind a frowning cloud, God shows His smiling face.” So
setting out in married life, with hearts full of good cheer, and a desire to live not alone for self, but as well
for the betterment of humanity, and to demonstrate our love for it in a small and unpretentious manner.
Who being passionately fond of flowers, cultivated quite a large variety, solely for home pleasure and
personal indiscriminate gifts during flower season. Knowing the fondness of girl and womankind for
flowers, during flower season, and that I might make glad the sweet little girls I would meet on the street
when en route to our office, I invariably gathered a variety of wife’s flowers, for indiscriminate gifts to
school girls I met passing to school duties at the Mississippi [unreadable text] on one of Sam Jones’
[unreadable text] was requested to offer [unreadable text] was approached by a [unreadable text] me, I am
Miss — once a student in the Mississippi College at Houston, and want to assure you of the pleasure
[unreadable text] when you so often gave me varieties of the sweet flowers grown at your lovely quiet
home.”

And my joys were again still more increased. When upon another occasion I was approached by
one of the old students of our Mississippi Normal College, when told by him that my talks before the
school at its morning exercises along moral lines, and deportment as observed by him, were the means
influencing him to seek and realize the Joys of Salvation, leading him into church fellowship.

Am indebted for first knowledge inspiring me with a fascination to learn something of the
history, and early traditions of my branch of the Bates family, (I then knew but little) to my newly
discovered, and highly appreciated kindred of quite ten years ago: J. Y. Bates of Corsicana, Texas, and
Hon. Creed F. Bates, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, leading to what I have written of it. And [I] only regret
that I have learned so little of this noble family heritage, grounded in Christian faith, and a sure passport
to unalloyed Patriotism.

Thus my life has been spent, with a sincere desire, freed from selfish motives, as near as it falls to
frail humanity, seconded by my wife of sweet lingering memories, to so live by precept and example that
humanity taking knowledge of us, might realize that it has been bettered by our having lived, ever
rejoicing in our opportunities to serve others more than to be served. Realizing by faith, our reward in
divine favor, and product of goodwill. Which, as I retrospect, our sojourn, hand in hand, in this life has
been with our little household since its humble dedication by prayer at the marriage altar. And as I near
the close of long life, soon to end, an [unreadable text] by Our Heavenly Father, and realize the joys of
His divine favor, that has lightened my pathway from early boyhood, am led to exclaim, “Surely God’s
favor has been with me and mine since childhood’s hour.”

So, closing with these gracious reflections, as I gallop with accelerated speed to the close of
temporal life, I realize by that faith that has from the first made my heart glad and filled it with continual

29
good cheer, and that all will be well with me when God, who gave it, calls my soul home to await the
second coming of Our Blessed Savior.

Written at Houston, Mississippi, in my ninety-first year. 1920.

30
1923 VERSION OF THE FAMILY HISTORY
WRITTEN BY
JUDGE WM. STOWT BATES
AT AGE 94

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 AMENDED SHORT SKETCH OF THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONARY STORIES OF THE
BATES LINE OF DESCENT OF WESTERN VIRGINIA, AND OF THE BATES-HILL, AND
BATES-BOURLAND, AND MARTIN-HOUSER FAMILIES.

BY Wm. S. Bates

ON REQUEST OF HIS TWIN DAUGHTERS, AND ONLY CHILDREN.

Growing into manhood in what might well be called the “Wild West” I learned but little of the Bates
family, except that of my paternal grandfather, Robert Patrick Bates and his descendants, and nothing of
my maternal ancestry, except from hearing my mother and father speak of them in casual conversation.
But true to the axiom, “Once a man and twice a child,” when I began to live life over again, I was lead to
linger among the festive Elysian fields of early life. Then too, being what the selfish of this life would call
a “family crank,” I at once began a search to learn something of my ancestry. When per chance I met J.Y.
Bates of Corsicana, Texas, who proved to be a near and appreciative relative from which I gathered much
of firsthand family information. Thus stimulated, [I] have followed up the fascinating mission. And later,
greatly aided in what I am writing by another near relative: the Hon. Creed F. Bates of Chattanooga,
Tennessee, and have thus been lured along, and now write what I have learned of the history and
traditions of the families linking up with myself, my wife and our twin daughters, at whose request I
write. So I begin with the:

WESTERN VIRGINIA BATES FAMILIES.

John Bates (1) born 1598, his will recorded in York County, Va. Had sons John and George
Bates.

George Bates (2) born 1635, his will recorded also in York County, Va. had sons James and John
Bates.

James Bates (3) born 1650, his will recorded in York County, Va. and Kent Counties, Va. Had
son James Bates.

James Bates (4) son of James Bates (3) born 1672, had sons James, John and Joseph Bates.

Joseph Bates (5) son of Joseph Bates (4) born in Wythe County, Va. in 1703 near the seven-mile ford of
the Helstone (Holston) River. Had sons James (3) and William Bates. (Comment – The ancestors of
Joseph Bates, father of William Bates, as shown above, have not been confirmed by this editor.)

William Bates (6) my great-grandfather (Correction-should be great great grandfather )and son of Joseph
Bates (5) born also in Wythe County, Va. now Smith (Smyth) County, in 1737, and in 1811. Age seventy-
four years.

This grandfather is credited in “Ramsey’s Annals of Tennessee” with the distinction of joining John
Savier (John Sevier, first governor of Tennessee) and others in signers of the Mecklenburg Memorial to
the Council of North Carolina, adopted in May 1775, at a midnight meeting of the Mecklenburg Militia of

32
that county, declaring that the people of that county were free and independent of the Declaration of
Independence, but many of phrases are word for word as they appear in that patriotic document of today.

This William Bates, true to patriotic principles enunciated in the Mecklenburg Memorial, and to aid in
securing the liberty and freedom they craved, acting well his part. When he at the age of forty-two years
enlisted as a linesman soldier in the American Revolutionary War, and took part in some of the most
important battles of that fierce conflict of seven years privation and extreme hardship, notably, that of
King’s Mountain, North Carolina.

The issue of marriage of this, my great-grandfather (Correction-should be great great grandfather.)

WILLIAM BATES

were:

1. James Alexander Bates, born 1764, married Mary Murphy, daughter of Edley Murphy, and veteran of
the Revolutionary War in 1786.

2. Robert Patrick Bates, my grandfather, born about 1760, married Jane Hill, near Sparta, White
County, Tenn. (Correction -Wm. Stowt Bates is incorrect. Robert Patrick Bates was not the son of
William Bates, but rather of Elijah Bates, below. William Bates had a son, Robert Bates born 1766. That
Robert and his wife, Sallye, had six children. By 1820 he was living in Cumberland County, Kentucky
and died in 1840 at Madison County, Illinois)

3. Elijah Bates, born about 1768, married ---, have it, that for a time he lived with his family near my
grandfather, on Little Bear Creek in the Western part of Franklin County, Ala. and later removed to Mo.
(Elijah Bates, great grandfather of Wm. Stowt Bates, married Priscilla Patrick February 5, 1789 in
Montgomery County, Virginia. He was one of the earliest settlers of Franklin County, Alabama but later
moved to Cooper County, Missouri where he died about 1833.)

4. Charles Bates, born in about 1770. Came to Overton County, Tenn. where he married, and at about
1830, removed to Indiana. (Charles Bates lived in Monroe County, Indiana for the 1840, 1850 and 1860
census. In 1870, at age 83, he was listed in the census for Lucas County, Iowa where he died August 22,
1870.)

5. Joseph Bates, born in Wythe County, Va., married and had issue, among them T.F. Bates. (Joseph
Bates was born May 6, 1777 in Washington County, Virginia. He married Mary King 1798 in
Washington County, Virginia. He lived most of his adult life in Overton County, Tennessee where he
died April 2, 1849. Only his son, Rev. Thomas Fletcher Bates, 1822-1897, outlived him.)

6. Henderson Wesley Bates, born about 1779, married Sarah Gentry in 1810, was the only brother of my
grandfather I ever knew, when quite a small boy, and have it from tradition, he also lived with family near
Elijah, below on Bear Creek, and later removed to Missouri in about 1840, thence to Uvalde County,
Tex., where he died in 1878. (No records have been found to indicate that Henderson Wesley Bates, the
son of William Bates, ever moved to Uvalde County, Texas. William Stowt Bates appears to be
confusing the son of William Bates, who married Sarah Gentry, with Henderson E. Bates, the son of
Elijah Bates, who was the brother of his grandfather, Robert Patrick Bates. Henderson E. Bates lived in

33
Franklin County, Alabama through the 1850 census before moving to Missouri as did his father, Elijah.
Therefore, Wm. Stowt Bates undoubtedly knew Henderson E. Bates, his father’s uncle, while living in
Franklin County, Alabama.)

7. Thomas Bates, the youngest of grandfather’s brothers (Correction-should be uncles), was born about
1782, and remained in Virginia; lived and died on his father’s old homestead. (Thomas Young Bates was
born April 15, 1784 in Washington County, Virginia and died 1835 in Virginia. He is the only son of
William Bates to remain in Virginia on this father’s land while his other brothers migrated on to
Kentucky and Tennessee.)

JAMES ALEXANDER BATES, referred to as son of my great-grandfather (Correction-should be great

great grandfather) William Bates, and born in Prince Edward County, Va. A patriot like his father, though
quite young, fired with patriotism common to the name, served as private in the American Revolution
with the Virginia line for three years, and in 1786, disclosed good judgment in marriage to Miss Murphy.
But not all, their union was blessed with an issue of ten children. Truly household treasures, who were:

1. Rachel Bates, born Dec. 1767, married a Walker, died 1868.[1804?] (Married Robert
Walker)
2. William S. Bates, born 1789, married a Riggin, lived at Cleveland, Tenn. (William Bates
married Nancy Harris Riggin/Reagan.)
3. Ezekiel Bates, born Oct. 1792, first Hannah Hill of White County, Tenn., and sister of my
grandmother Jenny Hill. Third wife, Elizabeth Douglass of McMinn County, Tenn. Fruits of
the two marriages, ten children from each.
4. Elizabeth Bates, born August 1796, married a Reagan, and removed first to McDonough Co.
Ill. Thence to Mexico Co. Mo. (Elizabeth Bates married James Reagan.)
5. Russell Bates, born March 1794, married a Hess, removed to Ark, and died in 1868.
(Russell Bates married Mary “Polly” Hess.)
6. James A. Bates, born March 1799, married a Venable. Home in Northern Georgia. Died
August 1892. (James A. Bates married Martha Venable.)
7. Henderson Andrew Bates, born May 1804, married a Miller and removed to Northwest Ark.
in 1829. Died July 1888. (Henderson Andrew Bates married Nancy Scott Miller and then,
widow Amelia Elanor Pyeatt. He is buried in Cane Hill, Arkansas.)
8. Mary Stoddard Bates, born Oct. 1801, married a Turner, died August 1846. (Mary
Stoddard Bates married James Alexander Turnley.)
9. Joseph Harrison Bates, born May 1806, married Nancy Bryan Goodpasture, March 1828,
removed to Morgan Co. Ill. soon after and died Feb 1888. His birth home being near
Knoxville, Tenn. His father died when he was a boy of eight years, and his mother removed
to McMinn Co., where his brothers William and Ezekiel owned adjoining lands; making his
home with them. Reaching manhood, went to Overton Co. where he had an uncle, Joseph
Bates, (my great uncle) The Goodpasture Biography thus refers to him. “Among the first
business instructed to Judge Goodpasture after he came to the Bar, was his employment to
write the Will of Joseph Bates, who lived in Bates Grove near Monroe, on the Livingston
Road. He was a man of strong intellect, of fair education and well-posted current events. In
religion, a Cumberland Presbyterian. In politics, a Democrat. A prosperous man of good
sound judgment, and proud of Bates Grove, in which he built one of the first, if not the first,

34
 brick houses in the county. Was father of the Rev. Thomas Fletcher Bates, and cousin of Mrs.
Harry Bates Watterson who was the mother of Henry Watterson, Editor of the Louisville
Courier Journal, and cousin of Joseph H. Bates, son of James Alexander Bates, who married a
sister of Judge Goodpasture."
10. Margaret Young Bates, last child of his first marriage, born – married a Rucker, and died
January 1894. (She married Wilford Rucker and later, Samuel George. Her father, James
Alexander Bates, was married only one time; therefore, the comment regarding Margaret
Young Bates being the last child of her father’s first marriage is in error.)

(Wm. Stowt Bates next begins comments regarding the children of Ezekiel Bates by his first wife,
Hannah Hill, rather than children of his second married to Elizabeth Jane Douglas. Hannah Hill
was the sister of Jane Hill, Wm. Stowt Bates’ grandmother and wife of Robert Patrick Bates.)

The children of his second marriage (Correction – should be first marriage) were:

1. Russell H. Bates, 2. Thomas Leroy Bates, 3. William Henry Bates, 4. Cicero McLean
Bates, 5. Frances Marion Bates, 6. Parmelia Bates, 7. Catherine Bates, 8. Cynthia Bates, 9.
Margaret Bates, and 10. Adelia Bates.

Thomas Leroy Bates was indeed a son of Ezekiel Bates’ first marriage, and survived all his
brothers and sisters, and died at the good age of 97 on his father’s old homestead in August 1916. Said to
be a man of good humor, full of constant good cheer and of wide influence for good. Had resided in the
home of his death practically all his death [sic], and in which the first terms of the Courts of Bradley
County were held before permanently located at Cleveland. Was elected Sheriff of Bradley Co. in the
fifties, afterwards declining reelection. When but a boy assisted the Government in gathering up the
Cherokee Indians and locating them at Calhoun; where were stationed Generals Wood and Scott, the
detailed to remove the tribe to the Cherokee Nation. Was not only familiar with Indian custom, but with
their Chief John Ross and Jack Walker. But above all, his life is said to be filled with richness of good
deeds and devotion to his Master’s cause, and an abiding love for his fellow man.

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 From “The Bates Bulletin” April, 1916

Creed Fulton Bates, was indeed the first born of the second marriage of Ezekiel Bates of 20
children notoriety, and half-brother of Thomas Leroy Bates. Born October 1848, and reared on his
father’s farm near Cleveland, Bradley Co. Tenn. Began his education in the common schools of that
county, and finishing it at the University of Alabama. His father dying in 1864, at close of the Civil War,
left him to care for his mother with 7 children to raise and educate. And it is said of him, “That duty with
which Aunt Lydia, the colored nurse, was well and faithfully done.” A lovely son, loyal and true, blessed
with a consecrated Christian mother, and to whose precepts and example, in speaking of her he pays to
her the tribute, that he owes to her all that he is or expects to be.

Having in the meantime selected the law as his profession, married a Miss Osment in Nov. 1873.
Opened his law office at Cleveland his county town, where he remained until 1882, when he removed to
Chattanooga, Tenn. where he gained merited distinction as such, and in those years filled the office of
assistant Attorney General of the 4th Circuit Court District of Tenn. Member of the Board of Mayor and
Aldermen on Chattanooga, and Mayor pro tem of that city. Commissioned as Col. on the staff of
Governor James D. Poter (James D. Porter, Jr., Governor of Tennessee 1875-1879) of Tenn. Served as
special Judge in the Chancery Courts of his state. Democratic candidate for Congress in his District in
1888. President of the Chattanooga Library Association. Now a member of the Board of Trustees of the
Martha Washington College at Abington, Va. and of Pain College Augusta, Ga. Was chief register of his
ward in Chattanooga at the last registration. Member of the Legal Advisory Board of Hamilton County,
and nobly backing up the administration of president Woodrow Wilson. Lost his wife, December 22 nd
1896.

In religion a Methodist, and twice a delegate to its General Conference, and member of the
Commission appointed by it to report on the Resolution of the Church to Vanderbilt University, which

36
was subsequently adopted by the General Conference. (Bishop Pierce Bates was born 1854 and died in
1855. John Douglas Bates, however, was born 1850 and died 1926, not dying in his infancy.)

Creed F. Bates, first born of the second marriage of Ezekiel Bates, had brothers.

Clark Henderson Bates, John Douglass Bates, Lafayette W. Bates, B. Leo [Lee?] Bates, Sister
Adelia Bates, married John Dickey, Nannie Bates, married James Stephens, Bishop Bates, and
John Bates, died in infancy.

Creed F. Bates, has yet surviving daughters:

1. Henrietta Bates, who married R.E. Morgan.

2. Lillie Bates, who married J.J. Wall.
3. Augusta Bates, born Nov. 1882, single. (Married John Jefferson Wall, 1923)
4. Margaret Bates, married Thomas J. Bates.
5. Mary Ruth Bates, married E.J. Brian.

LAFAYETTE BATES, brother married Miss Jane Lloyd, (Eliza Jane Lloyd) and reside also in
Chattanooga, Tenn. Have children:

1. Creed Fulton Bates Jr., (Correction – this is Creed Fletcher Bates who should not be referred
to as “Jr.”) who acted well his part as a soldier in the American overseas war in France, with
their amiable niece and one daughter are yet the inmates of their pleasant hospitable
household in which it was my pleasure to be entertained as if a father on my late visit
Chattanooga, Tenn. They also have a son, resident at 610, West 115 St. New York, and
daughter, Mrs. Lorena Bates Fox, resident at 7820 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, La.

The family record of James A. Bates, son of James Alexander Bates, discloses his marriage to
Martha Venable in 1822, and their children to be,

1. Thomas Jefferson Bates, born in 1826, and killed in Battle of Shiloh in 1862.
2. James Bates, born in 1824, and died 1898.
3. Mary Catherine Bates, born 1829 and died 1876.
4. Robert Venable Bates, born 1831.
5. Sarah Elizabeth Bates, born 1833.
6. Rachel Minerva Bates, born 1835.
7. Aurelius Franklin Bates, born 1837 and died in 1839.
8. Martha Jane Bates, born 1840 and died in 1854.
9. Margaret Eliza Bates, born 1842.
10. William A. Bates, born 1845.
11. Ezekiel Henderson Bates, born 1849.

Family record of Henderson A. Bates, also discloses him as a son of James Alexander Bates, and
born in 1804, and as married to Nancy Scott Miller in 1830; husband died in 1888, and wife in
1864, leaving children:

1. James Francis Bates, born in 1831.

37
2. Peter Russell Bates, born 1833.
3. Mary Jane Bates, born 1833.
4. Eliza Elizabeth Bates, born in 1837 and died in 1902.
5. John Miller Bates, born 1841 and died in 1863.
6. Joseph Young Bates, born 1839 and who I had the pleasure of well knowing of Corsicana
Tex, and living when last heard of, in religion a Cumberland Presbyterian. Settled with his
family in Corsicana, Navarro County Texas, and one among its pioneer residents, and as a
testimonial of his public spirit and liberality, it is written of him, “Mr. Bates is one of the few
men now living who lost their jobs by voting the Democratic Ticket. He was a cattle and hide
inspector in 1871, when the election was held in Navarro County for Congress. The
candidates were Clark Republican and Giddings Democrat.

Clarke was declared elected, said Bates, but Giddings contested his election, and
officials were sent to Corsicana to take the testimony of every voter, I was called in and asked
[sic] I voted, I answered that I cast my ballot for the Democratic nominee. A few days later I
was relieved of my duties as cattle and hide inspector.”

He was wounded during the Civil War in the battle of Saline, Ark. when the 34 th
Arkansas infantry led by the charge against the Union forces, and shot through hip; thus
disabled for service for the remainder of the war. When he came to Corsicana in 1864, he
started a shoemaking shop, tanned his own leather and made his shoes by hand, which he sold
for $4 and $6 a pair, when Calico was 50 cents per yard.

He headed the little band of Navarro County people who brought the terminus of the
Houston & Texas Central to Corsicana, on conditions of its citizenship would donate 640
acres of land, quite an undertaking, but it was obtained. Bates said, to get up the land
donation for terminals, much the same methods were used as in the getting up and sale of
Liberty Loan Bonds during the Civil War. But poor as he was, he subscribed $250 and only
owned 17 acres of land and had no thought it would be on the right of way, but it passed clear
through it, and being head of the committee to collect funds, took consequences, and had to
sell all of his land at $15 per acre; only getting enough out of sale to pay his road subscription
of $250.
7. Margret Hester Bates, born Nov. 1845.
8. Naoma Adaline Bates, born Nov. 1845 and died in April 1892.
9. Wm. Ferdinand Bates, born April 1847.

The children of James Alexander’s second marriage to Mrs. Ellen Piatt, April 1865, were: (This
is in error. Wm. Stowt Bates is referring to the second marriage of Henderson Andrew Bates,
1804-1888, son of James Alexander Bates. He first married Nancy Scott Miller in 1830,
Washington County, Arkansas. He later married Amelia Eleanor Crozier Pyeatt, widow of Peter
Preston Pyeatt, in 1865.)

10. Albert Oliver Bates and Nannie Kate Bates, twins, born in Nov 1866, former died Nov
1882.
11. Thomas Long Bates, born May 1864.

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 The family record of Joseph Harrison Bates (Correction-should be James Harrison Bates), son of
James Alexander Bates born May 1806, and married to Nancy Bryan Goodpasture in March
1828, had children:

1. William Iredell Bates and Mary Elzada Bates, twins, born Dec. 1828.
2. John Russell Bates, born Jan. 1830, and died Nov. 1901.
3. Hettie Elizabeth Bates, born Sept. 1831, and died Aug. 1832.
4. Thomas Jefferson Bates, born Feb. 1833.
5. Permelia Jane Bates, born Oct. 1834 and died July 1882.
6. Madison Cauby Bates, born July 1839.
7. Margery Josephine Bates, born Jan. 1839.
8. Joseph Baxter Bates, born Jan. 1841.
9. Abraham Henderson Bates and Nancy Ann Dulcena Bates, twins, born Dec. 1834. Nancy
died July 1845.
10. Marcus Jerome, born Apr. and died Dec. 1872.
11. Margaret Ann Bates, born July 1847.
12. Harriet Rosanna Bates, born Mar. 1850, and died July 1876.

MARGARET YOUNG BATES, youngest child of James Alexander Bates, married Wilford Rucker
about 1829. They had children:

1. Mary E. Rucker, born March 1830 and died in 1902.

2. James H. Rucker, born Dec. 1832, and died Nov. 1883.
3. Martha Rucker, born in 1834, and died in 1902.
4. Minerva Rucker, born in 1837, and died July 1895.
5. William F. Rucker, born July 1839.
The children of her second marriage to Samuel George in 1847 were:
6. Naomi George, born July 1848.
7. Nelvina George, born Aug. 1850 and died in April 1871.
8. David George, born Sept. 1852.
9. John W. George, born July 1857.

JOSEPH BATES, son of William Bates, born in what is now known as Smith County Va., in May 1777,
married Mary King Gentery (Gentry) in January 1808, and had children:

1. William M. Bates, born Dec. 1808.

2. Manerva K. Bates, born and died in infancy.
3. Elizabeth Bates, born and died in infancy.
4. George W. C. Bates, born in 1818.
5. T. F. Bates, born in 1822.
6. Tennessee Bates, born in 1824.
7. Joseph Benson Bates, born in 1827.

RETERING [sic] (probably means “re-entering) again Thomas Bates, brother of my great-
grandfather William Bates, who was born in 1735, on his grandfather Joseph Bates’ farm Wythe
County. Like most of the family name, was the father of a large family that removed and settled in

39
Overton County, Tenn. in the early part of the nineteenth century. And are credited as the progenitors of a
score of patriotic good people. A credit to the family name. For I have it on well supported authority. That
this Bates, commonly called “Uncle Thomas” by his kindred, was really given the name of Thomas
Fletcher, and in reality the father of James Woodson Bates, Frederick Bates, and Edward Bates, of he,
who was a member of president Lincoln’s Cabinet, acting as Attorney General, during his first
administration. The most reliable authority is that Frederick Bates was born June 23, 1777, and died
August 4, 1825, while Governor of Missouri. His father, Thomas Fleming Bates, was one of the Trustees
in 1780 to lay out the town of Columbia in Fluvanna Co. Va., the “history of Mo.” has this write up
Governor Frederick Bates. Born in Goochland County, Va. 1777; studied law, and at the age twenty years
went to Detroit, a military post and became its post master. In 1806 he was appointed by President
Jefferson the First Judge of the Territory of Michigan. (This information is in error. The Thomas
Fletcher Bates, son of William Bates, 1737-1811, is NOT the Thomas Fleming Bates who was the father
of Edward who was in Lincoln’s cabinet, James Woodson Bates for whom Batesville Arkansas was
named and Frederick Bates, Governor of Missouri. The parents of Thomas Fleming Bates was John
Bates, Jr. and Susannah Fleming.)

In 1806, he moved to St. Louis, Mo. and from that time till Missouri became a state, he was
constantly in some capacity a territorial officer, was secretary of the Territory under Governor Lewis,
Howard and Clark, and during the interims between their administrations was acting Governor. In 1808
he compiled the laws of the Territory of Louisiana, being the first book printed in St. Louis. In 1824, he
was elected Governor to succeed McNair, and without any solicitation of effort of his part. Died Aug. 4,
1825 while governor of Missouri. The foregoing information is gathered from the “History of Missouri.”

JAMES WOODSON BATES, brother of Frederick Bates, born Aug. 1767, married and had
children; drifted South, locating in the town now known as Batesville, Arkansas, name given in his honor
in 1819. Died in Dec. 1848, the History of Batesville refers to him as Judge James Woodson Bates, and as
the first Territorial Delegate of Arkansas Territory in Congress, and one of the most prominent citizens of
the community for 15 years. Was brother of the Hon. Edward Bates of St. Louis, born in Va. and member
of Cabinet of President Lincoln during his first administration.

EDWARD BATES, brother of Frederick Bates, born Sept. 1793 and died in St. Louis, Mo.,
March 1809, married Julia Davenport in May 1823, and the fruits of this union were seventeen children.
And thus having fulfilled the divine commandment given to Noah, “to multiply and replenish the word”
God in His care for humanity, seems to have given Edward Bates more than an ordinary brilliant mind as
attested by his useful public career. Born in Belmont, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; went to Missouri in
1814, when twenty-one years old, represented that state in Congress from 1827 to 1829, being the 20 th
Congress. Was a lawyer of distinction. An old line Whig in politics and once a candidate before its
convention for presidential nomination, and later a member of President Lincoln’s Cabinet, noting as
Attorney General during his first administration. (Previously referred to) Later returning to his home in
St. Louis.

A personal friend and admirer of Edward Bates, writing of his early life had this to say of him.
“That, in the summer of 1814, Edward came to St. Louis in his 20th year. Resolved to study law, and with
this view, entered the office Rufus Easton, then an eminent lawyer, and was admitted to the bar in 1816,
and rapidly rose to distinction as an attorney and fluent orator, so that in 1818, Governor Clark of the
Missouri Territory, appointed him Attorney General of the Territory.

40
 In 1820, the fifteen counties then organized in Mo. elected forty-one delegates to a Convention to
form a Constitution for the prospective state; Edward Bates of St. Louis being one. The convention met in
that city in 1820, and in which he took an active part; rendering valuable services to his state, and when
the state was admitted to the Union in 1821, was by appointment its Attorney General, and after a short
service was succeeded by Rufus Easton, his old law preceptor, when he resumed the practice of his
profession, prosecuted with distinguished ability and success.” Died in the 76 th year of his age at his home
in St. Louis, honored and respected by his fellows.

Tradition and history, locates the Bates name into two sections in the early settlement of the
American colonies. Ancestry of one in settling in what is called the New England States, and the other in
Virginia, New Virginia and West Virginia. From the early settlers of which we trace our ancestral line.

ROBERT PATRICK BATES, my grandfather; son (Correction – should be grandson) of

William Bates, who was one of the four sons of Joseph Bates; presumably born in Virginia, about 1765,
married Jane Hill, in her old age, commonly called Aunt Jinsey; resident of White County, Tenn. Later
removed to Franklin County, and locating about seven miles west of Russellville, its county site in about
1816, where he opened up a farm, milling business and other enterprises. For he was a man of public
spirit and great energy. My grandmother Jane Hill Bates, had a sister Hannah Hill, first wife of Ezekiel
Bates, my [sic] who was a son of James Alexander Bates, and eldest brother of my grandfather, Robert
Patrick Bates. (In error. Ezekiel was the son of James Alexander Bates, the eldest brother of Wm. Stowt
Bates’ great grandfather, Elijah Bates.) These sisters had still another one known to me, as Aunt Cynthia
and wife of Galantine Chisholm, who lived near my grandfather in that Co. This uncle Chisholm, as I
know him, had among other children. Dr. Louis Chisholm, a dental surgeon, a much appreciated kindred
of my father, and known to me as his cousin Lewis, who died at an advanced age, in Tuscumbia, Ala., at
an advanced age greatly honored and respected, because of patriotism and Christian integrity. (Note –
Wm. Stowt Bates reflects most of the children of William Bates correctly; however, through his writings
he confuses Robert Bats, b. 1766, as being his grandfather, Robert Patrick Bates. Elijah was the father of
Robert Patrick Bates. The children of William Bates, 1737-1811, include: James Alexander, Robert,
Elijah, Jane, Joseph, Henderson Wesley, John Wallis, Mary, Thomas Young and Charles. Robert Patrick
Bates, who married Jane Hill, was the son of Elijah Bates, son of William Bates.)

Grandfather Bates was among the earliest of the frontier settlers west of Russellville; bordering
on the frontiers of the Indian Nation, and among other enterprises mentioned. Cut a channel diverting the
water of a small creek four miles distant, whence he transfer water power sufficiently to propel a 20 foot
bucket breast-wheel by which he operated a grist and saw mill.

Later, in about 1837, he disposed of his farming and mill business and located on wild lands in
the extreme Western part of Franklin Co. on Little Bear Creek, where he again opened up a farming, mill
and gin business. The grist and saw mills, and cotton gin all being propelled by water power, gathered up
by a dam spanning Little Bear Creek. Saw and grist mill on right side of the flow and cotton gin on the
left. Was with all passionately fond [of] fine horses, and although not a sportsman, yet raised them for the
turf, and to this end, graded a mile track for their training, and in the midst of flow of renewed prosperity,
and daring confidence and pride mounted one of his steed for training on his tract, from which he was

41
thrown against a tree and instantly killed in about 1840, leaving surviving his wife and quite a number of
sons and daughters.

Being grandfather’s oldest grandson, was greatly favored and shared much of his admiration,
which though was but a child was duly appreciated, so much so, that I thought him perfection, and
consequently only know him in that light, although but about ten years old at the time of his death. He
was truly an elevated patriot, taking an active part in all that appeared best for the promotion and
advancement of the public good. And one of the bright memories of my boy days is flushed with the
memory that his home place was one of the voting precincts of Franklin County, and place of public
gatherings for political discussions, and so marked was his patriotism, friendship, and loyalty of
Congressman David Hubbard, Democrat, in his canvasses for frequent reelection, that when uncle David,
as he was commonly called, had an appoint to speak at his precinct, that he invariably gave him a
welcome barbecue at his own expense, and the main attraction to me was that Rio Coffee, scarce and
rarely used only by the well to do, was made in a forty-gallon pot and served promiscuously to the large
crowds usually attending on such occasions. Then too, this forty gallon kettle was the product of a
Foundry established by an English company, located on Cedar Creek, near grandfather’s old Russell’s
Valley home. Was noted for his generosity, energy and love manifested for the betterment of humanity, as
manifested to me in after years when reaching manhood’s estate; then being in a canvass for State Senator
from my county, Chickasaw, was the guest of an admiring old friend for rest during the coming night, and
invited to supper, was introduced to the wife as Judge Bates, the mere mention of the name of Bates,
seemed to awaken and thrill her with manifest joy, when she enquired where born, and if related to
Robert Patrick Bates, of Franklin County, Ala. Replying I told her I was his oldest grandson, which led
her to exclaim with apparent joy and profound gratitude. “The best and most generous man I ever knew, I
am one of several daughters of a widowed mother, and we were lonely tenants and dependents on his
farm for several years. Was a man well to do, quite independent, and during that period I never know him
to refuse one who came to him in want or seeking aid in the affairs of life.”

THE CHILDREN of the grandfather and mother were:

1. Henderson Wesley Bates, my father, born Sept. 30th, 1807, married my mother, Eliza Elvira
Jarret Bourland, twin daughter of Ebenezar Bourland and wife. Will write of them later.

2. Levi Bates, born about 1809, married a McKinney in western part of Franklin County, Ala.,
when past middle age, and soon after removed to Tarrant County, Tex. where he was
afterwards elected to successive terms Clerk of the County Court of that Co. Was a man of
wit and constant good cheer, and of fine memory, so much so as to repeat a sermon preached
when heard. Was as a boy given cotton picking task with other associates, and when realizing
he would fall short of the task, was resourceful enough to advise associate laborers he would
repeat one of the sermons of memory, and at conclusion, would take up a subscription cotton
to meet the demands of the task assigned him by the father, which was thus met. (Levi Bates
married Margaret Ann McKinney. She married Archibald Rowan Hamilton Bennett after
Levi’s death in 1853.)
3. E. Anderson Bates, born about 1811, also married a McKinney, sister of his brother Levi’s
wife, and after a few years residence on my father’s farm, in Southern Itawamba Co. Miss.
removed to Uvalde County, Tex. then but scarcely settled and a fine grazing section for

42
 cattle, and soon after engaged in its growing, and grew prosperous and financially
independent. Died in that county at a good old age as a triumphant Christian; soon thereafter
followed by a wife likewise devoted; leaving surviving sons and daughters. (Elijah Anderson
Bates married Ellen Jane McKinney, sister of Margaret Ann McKinney.)
4. Thomas Marion Bates, born about 1815, married a Burgess, in the northeastern part of
Itawamba Co, Miss. daughter of Noah Burgess. Was a prosperous merchant at Iuka, Miss,
when stricken down during the scourge of Yellow Fever at that place, leaving surviving his
wife and daughters. (Thomas Marion Bates married Sarah Burgess and died about 1878 in
Iuka, Tishomingo County, Mississippi.)
5. Finis Campbell Bates, the youngest son, born in 1830, and my beloved boyhood companion,
also married a Burgess, sister to his brother Thomas’ wife. Soon after the close of the Civil
War was a merchant at Saltillo, Lee Co. Miss. closed out his business there, and removed to
Uvalde Co. Texas, where he was from time to time reelected tax assessor of that co. for 16
successive years, thence removing to Eldorado Co. same state, where has served the public as
Justice of the Peace for many years; by election. Lost his wife several years ago, and have
one son and daughters surviving. (Finis Campbell bates was born 1832 and Wm. Stowt Bates
was born in 1830. Finis married Andromica Burgess and lived to be almost 100 years old,
dying in 1931 at his son’s ranch in Terrell County, Texas.)

THE DAUGHTERS of grandfather and mother were:

6. Lucinda Bates, who married Thomas J. Cook, then Sheriff of Franklin Co. Ala. Later
removed with family to Homestead Co, Arkansas, where he was killed in a street altercation
with Col. Gant at Eldorado, leaving wife, sons and daughters surviving. Wife finally drifted
to Uvalde Co, Tex, where she died. They had a son, Capt. Cook, a Confederate Veteran, who
lost an arm in the Civil War, and tradition locates him last at Texarkana, Tex. and a lawyer of
marked distinction. (Wm. Stowt Bates is in error. After living in Texas for a number of
years, Lucinda Bates Cook returned to Hadley, Columbia County, Arkansas, according to the
1880 census, with at least three of her daughters. It is believed that Lucinda died there in
1883.)
7. Amelda Bates, married Prof. Isaac M. Downs, later and in my early boyhood removed
Texas. (See correction under P.S. on page 14.)

Eliza Bates, married Malone Brooks. Had no children, they too drifted west and died in Eastern
Texas. (Eliza was born about 1824 in Franklin County, Alabama. She married William Malone
Brooks, Jr. about 1841 in Franklin County, Alabama. She, along with her husband’s father,
William Malone Brooks, Sr., migrated from Franklin County, Alabama about 1848, settling in
Ouachita County, Arkansas where they were recorded in the 1850 census. Eliza’s brother, Elijah
Anderson Bates and his family, along with several of his wife’s McKinney relatives, were in the
adjoining Hempstead County, Arkansas. By the early 1850’s, they were living in East Texas,
Titus County, Texas and later Birdville, Tarrant County, Texas. William Malone Brooks, Jr.
apparently died in 1860 because Eliza was in Bastrop County, Texas for the 1860 census, shown
as a widow with their children. It is believed she gave birth to nine children, including three sons
who served in the Texas Confederate army. She and Malone Brooks were progenitors of
hundreds of descendants, including Jerry L. Brooks, the editor of this document.)

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44
 THE BOURLAND-BATES ANCESTRAL LINE

JOHN BOURLAND, of the ancestral line of my mother, Eliza Elvira Jarret Bourland Bates, came from
near Londonderry, Ireland to Virginia, and where he married Catherine Randolph of Roanoke, Va. near
relative of the noted orator and statesman John Randolph of Roanoke, Va. and relative of the Lee and
Thomas Jefferson families. And it is a tradition of the family, that it moved to the North of Ireland from
Scotland more than three hundred years ago, and that of the family still live in Londonderry.

This John Bourland, was the father of my maternal grandfather Ebenezer Bourland who married Abigail
Loving in South Carolina, and proved to be so congenial and wooing, as to lure two other brothers in
marriage to her sisters. From South Carolina, we trace these families to Kentucky, and as settling at or
near Madisonville or Hopkinsville, where I am informed they were greatly respected for morality,
Christian integrity, and patriotism. But only now learn of but one of these descendants of great-uncles;
Harry R, Bourland, President of the Evansville Paint and Varnish Company, Evansville, Ind. While
grandfather Ebenezer of those brothers appears, in the meantime to have removed with his family to the
wiles of Ala. bought and opened us a farm on Cedar Creek west of Russellville, in Franklin County, about
1817, (Alabama then just organized into a territorial government) He was an ardent consecrated Primitive
Baptist, and near neighbor of General Reuben Davis’ father, and brethren in the same church. The son
later in manhood located in Aberdeen, Miss. and rapidly gained just distinction as the most distinguished
criminal lawyer of the South.

In 1833, grandfather, Ebenezer Bourland, wife and sons Ebenezer J. Bourland and Dr. A.M. Bourland,
removed to Franklin County, Ark. and settled as farmers near Ozark, where grandfather and mother died
at an advanced old age, leaving surviving children:

1. William Bourland; Gabriel Bourland; James S. Bourland; Dubart L. Bourland; Alney

Bourland; John Bourland; Ebenezer Bourland; and daughters:

2. Sarah; Catherine; Eliza Elvira Jarret Bourland, my mother, and as before stated, was but
three years old when these kindred removed to Ark. and consequently, never had the pleasure
of knowing them personally, but it was my pleasure to know my uncle James S. Bourland, a
near neighbor of my father from boyhood to manhood, and in boyhood, Aunt Catherine
McKinney, wife of Collin McKinney, who greatly impressed me with her nobly queenly
dignified movement, neat in dress, erect, and withal, of charming and captivating manner, so
much so as to look upon her as perfection next to my mother, her sister. This aunt and uncle
removed the northeastern part of Itawamba County, Miss. where they then lived to Franklin
Co. Ark. about 1838, where both died childless.

Uncle James S. Bourland, ever fresh in my memory, because of his noble Christian character
exemplified in his everyday life, and commonly known as Judge Bourland. Was born near Evansville or
Hopkinsville Ky., 16th Oct. 1748, married a Miss Hudspeth born 11th April 1798. Husband died Nov. 11,
1877, age 79 years. Wife died May 22nd, 1862. About 1828, and when Mississippi territory had been

45
admitted as a state into the American Union, this enterprising uncle removed with his little family to near
Cotton Gin port on the Tombigbee River, Monroe Co, Miss., now just east of the town of Amory, and on
the road leading east to Smithville, where he bought wild lands and opened up a farm. Later sold holdings
to another, and now known as the Armstrong place; and moved to southern part of Itawamba County,
Miss., where he again purchased wild lands near what is known as Cardsville, and four miles south of the
extinct town of Van Buren, there opening up another farming interest. And on the organizing of that
county he was elected a member of the Board of Police Court from the Van Buren District and on its
organization elected its president, which put in motion the machinery that has kept the county intact, and
with accelerated strides is now moving to the front rank of counties of North Mississippi. Judge Bourland
like his father, was an ardent Primitive Baptist, and justly known as a “Pillow [sic] of his church. A man
of unquestioned character and integrity. And in all matters of dispute among his neighbors irreconcilable
by them; by common consent he was appealed to as a court of last resort, and his judgments never
appealed from the Common Law Courts.

Several years ago, after an absence of quite fifty years from my father’s and the homestead of this grand
old uncle in company with his grandson Lee Bourland of Amory. Found his old homestead vacated,
though intact, as he passed from it to his grave in the nearby Bourland Cemetery, where he with other
beloved kindred and friends sleep only to awake on the morning of the Resurrection, when their souls will
be reunited with the moldered temporal body, fashioned anew, and immortal, in which the departed soul
will reenter and live throughout eternity. Truly I found this cemetery well kept, and a comfortable nice
cottage built nearby for funeral occasions. Then again, it proved to me a spiritual feast as I passed though
the cemetery and read one by one the epitaphs of loved ones, and meditated of the lives they had lived,
and the triumphant battles won in the fierce conflict against sinful influences.

Uncle Ebenezer J. Bourland, one of the sons removing from Alabama to Arkansas, later removed with
family to Arkadelphia, Clark County, Ark. where he opened up a mercantile business, where he died at an
advanced age.

Dr. A.M. Bourland, of Van Buren, Ark. son of my uncle Dubart Bourland, and twin brother of my
mother, if yet living, is the last of the old family trunk line, and I take for granted, was a man of great
usefulness, kind heart, broad views, and quite cultured, benevolent and generous. And as a testimonial of
those declarations, I find the following tribute paid him by one of the Little Rock newspapers on his visit
to that city in 1916. “On Tuesday of this week, Dr. A.M. Bourland, of Van Buren, one of the most
accomplished linguists in Arkansas, celebrates his 83 rd birthday. Despite his age Dr. Bourland is still one
of the active residents of Van Buren and still teaches free of charge classes of French and Greek.

Dr. Bourland was born in Franklin County, Ala. August 27th, 1825, moved to Arkansas eight years later,
and made his home at Van Buren ever since. He served as hospital steward in the Arkansas regiment led
by Col. Yell in the Mexican War, afterwards was graduated in medicine, and practiced for 50 years, but
retired.” Only know of but one of the name surviving in Ark. and that is the grandson of my uncle
Ebenezer J. Bourland, late of Arkadelphia, a physician of conceded ability, now located in Camden, Ark.
and so of my Bourland kindred east of the Mississippi river, they being grandsons of my revered uncle
James S. Bourland, late of Cardsville, Itawamba County, some of whom still live near his old homestead.

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(P.S) I find myself in error in a failure to give the names of and marriage correctly of my grandfather
Bates’ daughters on page 8. So to make the correction here discloses the fact:

1. Lucinda Bates, married Thomas J. Cook, once Sheriff of Franklin Co. Ala. and later removed to
Hempstead Co. Ark. where he was killed on the street in Eldorado in an altercation with Col. Gant.
Leaving sons and daughters, with wife surviving; wife finally drifted to Uvalde Co. Texas where she died.
(Correction – died in Arkansas)

2. Minerva Bates, married Thales McKinney, moved to Uvalde Co. Texas where she died about 1876.

3. Eliza Bates, married Malone Brooks, and they removed to eastern Texas where both died, so far as I
know without issue! (In error, as noted above.)

4. Melverda Bates, married another McKinney, probably cousin of Thales McKinney and likewise of
wives of uncles Levi and Anderson Bates. Removed to Uvalde Co. Tex. where both died, so far as I know
without issue.

5. Amelda Bates, married Isaac M. Downe, quite an educated and accomplished gentleman. A
schoolteacher by profession and native Virginian. (Correction – should be Isaac McCulloch Downs)

47
 THE BATES-BOURLAND FAMILY.

My father, Henderson Wesley Bates, oldest child of Robert Patrick Bates, and mother Eliza Elvira Jarret
Bourland, youngest child of Ebenezer Bourland and wife were married at almost inexcusable ages. Father
19 and mother 14 years each, under the protection of parents because of minority, on Cedar Creek, a few
miles west of Russellville, Ala., 1823.

Father at once aligned himself in business with grandfather Bates, conducting a milling country dry goods
trade about 7 miles west of Russellville, Franklin Co. Ala. on the public road leading west to the Bear
Creeks; doing a thriving business to the close of the flush times of wild and reckless speculation of 1837,
of which they became victims, and having lost all and driven to the verge of bankruptcy, soon after
disposed of the fragments of financial wreck, removed to the western part of the county, and bought
adjoining wild lands along the run of Little Bear Creek, where both opened up farms; grandfather in the
meantime, not content with this monotonous enterprise, soon after constructed a dam spanning this creek
by means of which he gathered water sufficient to propel a saw and grist mill at one end, and cotton gin at
the other.

Father and mother, notwithstanding this stunning financial reverse, faced the crash patiently, and
heroically; marked with characteristic patience and rigid economy, which gradually relieved them of
financial strain. Disposing of their Bear Creek farm in Alabama in about 1843, removed with family to
the southern part of Itawamba County Miss., where he purchased the land on which the extinct town of
Wheeling on the Tombigbee River had been surveyed into lots, thus opening up an ideal small farm
thereon, thereby regaining somewhat of the losses of 1837, and in connection with his farming interests,
joined by Judge John. C. Richey opened up a small dry goods mercantile business in the then Village of
Van Buren located four miles distant up the Tombigbee River. Later, and about 1801, purchased a small
farm near the present thriving town of Guntown, where he as at the old Wheeling home, in connection
with his small farming interest, under the firm name of Bates and Lindsey, built log storehouse on the
Lindsey farm about two miles west of that town. Purchased a small stock of merchandise, and I having
closed a smattering course of education at Irving College, near McMinnville, Warren County, Tenn. was
put in charge of the establishment as chief manager and salesman, and as such, continued to run it. When
in the meantime, the Mobile and Ohio Railroad line was permanently located and contract let for grade at
the Guntown site, my father having then purchased the Lindsey interest in the firm, removed the log
structure and general stock of dry goods to the new town of Guntown, where I sold its first merchandise.

On transfer of this business to Guntown, its only resident was Thomas McDonnell, a pioneer gunsmith
operating his trade, and with whom I secured board. Our store being the only loafing place for men well
to do, then, I too being extremely fond and proud to have old men for companionship, it seemed a
pleasure of them to reciprocate my manifestation of favor. So about the time of the opening of this road
for traffic. One day a group of gentlemen had gathered in general conversation in front of our store,
consisting in part of John Botts, Singleton Hughes, the Rev. Robert Rice, Primitive Baptist preacher and
other like companions, when all were satisfied the authorities of the road would locate a depot at that
point, the mooted question was put, “What shall we name it?” when the united response was, “Name it
Batesville for Bill Bates here, no I replied, “Call it Guntown in memory of Thomas McDonnald, the
gunsmith with whom I care board” then the Rev. Rice of twenty-mile creek, exclaimed with a stroke of
his cane on the floor, “Guntown let it be called.” Hence the origin of the name.

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Father continued his mercantile business at this place in connection with his little farm, I yet for a time
still chief manager, when later he took his son-in-law V.B. McFadden into the business as a partner, and
thus it was operated until the outbreak of the Civil War, which in the meantime had grown quite
prosperous. But the losses of that period well-nigh drove him into his old financial straights growing out
of his ventures of the Flush times of 1837. Closed out his holdings at and near Guntown, removed family
to Waco, Texas, at close of the Civil War.

[first line cut off] trade, being still unsettled in his fascination for merchandising; after a year or two spent
at Waco, removed family and business to Bremond, and lastly to Calvert, Texas, where he sustained
another financial reverse in loss by fire of his entire stock of general merchandise, and soon after became
a victim of chronic troubles of which he died at that village, full of unquestionable faith, and assurance of
God’s saving grace. Truly a man of great energy, and heir of financial stunning reverses, but withal,
patient and resigned. Left surviving mother and large family of sons and daughters, most of whom were
of mature age, except daughters Alice Bates and Jeffie Bates. After father’s death, mother became the
constant companion of both daughters, attending school where she boarded while daughter Alice
completed her education. Then, at the earnest solicitation of self and my ever dear sweet Christian spirited
wife, mother still having in care my youngest sister, was induced to come with the child and make her last
home in this life with us, where she lighted it with constant good cheer. And, indeed, her sojourn in our
home has proven a lasting benediction, the pleasure of which yet sweetly lingering in our memories,
although the light of her presence faded quite 23 years ago, she having departed this life on the 23 rd day of
February 1900, at the ripe old age of 84 years, “Fell asleep in Jesus” as was expressed by our officiating
minister looking into her smiling face as she passed from this life to the grave to await the coming of Our
Blessed Savior in the morning of the Resurrection. Then too, my soul is thrilled with joy as I cherish the
words of her benediction to rest with me while in her dying moment she rested in my embrace, her last
words were, “God bless my sweet faithful son.” That that is mortal of this Sainted Mother, now rests
beside my dear wife, who cherished and loved her as tenderly as if her own mother, in the Bates and
Dulaney enclosure in the Houston Cemetery, and between the graves of which I have reserved a resting
place as I pass from this life. By nature soon to come.

Of the 13 children, God in his goodness and mercy gave father and mother in their holy union of
marriage, all except the youngest that died in infancy, the remaining 12, 6 sons and 6 daughters grew to
man and womanhood, without the call of a physician in the home in case of sickness. Sons all strictly
temperate, free from profanity, and members of one of the Evangelical churches. And, unlike most
families while inmates of the parental home, all accumulations were used in common, and no accounts
kept pro and con, until leaving the parental hearthstone, and while thus inmates of the sweet confiding
ideal home of constant good cheer, and free of that selfishness that too often gives rise to family
bickering, so uncalled for and destructive of real joy. Was a home indeed of ideal moral precept and
example, hospitable and ever open to innocent pleasures and amusement of neighbors, friends, and
relatives, and in all of which they were joyous and whole-souled participants. But notwithstanding these
indulgences, they were firm and exacting in the government of their household, and each child was
required to perform certain duties in routine child life. The children of this ideal household were:

1. Myself, William Stowt Bates, born in Franklin County, Ala. at my parental

grandfather’s home, September 30th 1830 (will write of self later).

49
2. Robert Patrick Bates, born March 1832, on outbreak of the Civil War, then a clerk
in his father’s dry goods store at Guntown, raised and organized an Infantry Company
at that village; was elected its captain, and it was soon thereafter mustered into
services, and composed a part of the 2nd Miss. Infantry Regiment commanded by Col.
W.C. Falkner, late of Ripley, Miss. Took part in the first battle of Manassas, Virginia,
and at the close of his first years enlistment, and on the reorganization of the
Confederate Army, was promoted to the rank of Major, serving on the staff of General
Richardson, commanding cavalry. At close of the war, as member of our father’s
family household went with it on removal to Waco, Tex. and there joined him in
mercantile business, referred to, thence to Bremond and Calvert, and after the death of
our father; removed to Sherman, Tex. where he opened up a Sadlery and Harness
business, and at the age of about 50 years, married a Miss Jester, sister of the late
George T. Jester of Corsicana, Texas, once state Senator from Navarro County, and
later Lieutenant Governor pending the administration of Governor Culbertson, later
one of the United States Senators from Texas. About the time of his marriage he

50
 invested in a cattle ranch most of his life savings, the Ranch and Cattle being
encumbers by Trust Deed was sold, when he lost all. So much for reckless
investments. After marriage, he located at Corsicana, practically retired from active
life, and in the meantime became a victim of disease which led to his lodgment in the
Fort Worth Sanitarium, where he died in 1916, at the age of 84 years, full of Christian
joy, in a realization of eternal life. His beloved wife soon following in death in 1918.
The fruit of this marriage was one son, Robert P. Bates Jr., a fine businessman of
popular manner, married, and resident of Corsicana and occupant of the family
homestead. There could not have been given to any family, a more true and less
selfish son and brother than this dear one, and there was no sacrifice he would not
have readily for my happiness and well-being, and that of our father and mother,
sisters or other brothers, a sweet memory.
3. Mary Catherine Bates, born 1834, married Thomas P. Dutton, a slave owner and
farmer, and soon after the close of the Civil War, and loss of this labor, removed with
savings to the wiles of Texas, bought and settled on lands in McCollach County, upon
which the county cite (Brady) was laid off into lots, and sold by them, and in the main
made the family quite independent again. Had children but know nothing further of
the family.
4. Margaret Jane Bates, born March 1837, married Van Buren McFadden in 1858.
Family living at Guntown, he like other patriotic young men, at outbreak of the Civil
War, entered the infantry service of the Confederate lines, serving in Va. where he
remained to its close, reaching home financially bankrupt, removed family to
Memphis, Tenn. where he soon died. Leaving surviving his wife, son and daughter.
Daughter having married Walter Reynolds of Union City, Tenn. a much beloved
grandson-in-law of my mother. Sister, with son Bates McFaddin, at once became
inmates of the Reynolds hospitable Union City home, where she departed this life.
And, so far as I know, the son, Bates McFaddin, a matured nice man of elevated
character is yet a resident of that town.
5. Elizabeth Ann Bates, born Feb. 1839, married James M. Cayce in 1861, and soon
thereafter enlisted as a private in the Infantry branch of the Confederate service, and
transferred to the Virginia branch of the army, where he served as such to the close of
the Civil War in 1865. Returning home, began a dry goods mercantile business at
Guntown, where he lost most of his holdings, and soon thereafter removed with
family to Waco, Texas, where he died suddenly of heart trouble, leaving surviving his
wife and sons Carl and --- Cayce and amiable Christian daughter Mrs. Llewellyn,
widow, and family of daughters, residents of Fort Worth, Texas.
6. Melverta Bates, born 1841, married Dr. James M. Bourland of Arkadelphia, Ark. at
close of the Civil War, and removed to the village of Curtis, Clark County in that
state, where he practiced medicine to the day of his death, leaving wife, son and
daughters surviving. Was a private, and served in Confederate army in Virginia, to the
close of the Civil War. Wife now dead.
7. James Thomas Bates, born in 1843, just having military service age, like my other
brothers, fired with patriotism, at the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted as a private
in our brother’s Guntown Company, and fought with it in the First Manassas battle in

51
 Virginia, where he was wounded by loss of a finger. At close of hostilities in 1865,
returned home and soon thereafter married the daughter of Maj. Smith, founder and
owner of the lands upon which the village of Smithville, Monroe County, Miss. is
built. (See Note 6.) Later removed with little family to Texas where he opened up a
small cattle ranch of “Longhorn scrubs,” but made it a success, and, thus enthused,
aspired to own a ranch and grow short horn blooded cattle, selling his Texas holdings,
removed family to New Mexico, opened another ranch, stocking it with imported high
grade cattle, lost quite all of his investment because of change of stock climate. Soon
thereafter died leaving wife, one son Ralph, and daughters surviving.
8. Ebenezer Houston Bates, born August 1846, although quite young likewise enlisted
in the cavalry services, as a private in the Confederate army pending the Civil War,
and was on duty at its close in 1865; having done valiant service under the command
of General Forrest, at the fierce and hotly contested battle of Franklin, Tennessee, and
at the close of hostilities in 1865, returned to our father’s Guntown home, and with it
to Waco, Texas, and while an inmate of the family household at Bremond, Robinson
County, Texas, married Miss Julia White; opened up a farming interest near that
village at Hammond Station, where he and wife yet reside, childless and prosperous.
9. Finis Langdon Bates, born in 1848, not having completed a common school
education, when our father removed from Miss. to Texas, placed him as one of our
home family, from which he entered the private school of Professor Gathright at
Summerville, Miss. and having completed an imperfect course there, returned to our
Houston household, and studied law in the office of Martin & Bates, directly under
my supervision, and on being admitted to the bar as a practicing lawyer soon after
married Miss Bertha Money of Carrollton, Miss. half-sister of the late Hernando
Desoto Money, in his time, Congressman and United States Senator from Mississippi
and among the ablest of his colleagues. Like most other young ambitious mean of that
day, at once removed west where he located in the practice of his chosen profession at
Granbury county site of Hood County, Texas, where he seems to at once gained
prominence in his profession. Among his admirers, was quite an accomplished and
well-informed apparent gentleman, but living alone as though avoiding notice,
residing alone in his backroom apartment while he operated a little grocery business
in his front room under a fictitious name, when in the meantime the fellow in the front
room had in operating it violated the Federal law, and under that name was indicted in
its court. And this recluse being arrested to answer the charge, Bates was approached
by him and retained for his defense; revealing to him, that he would not under any
pressure appear in court, lest he should be identified, then handing Bates a roll of
money, stating, “Go to court and enter an appearance for me and a plea of guilty, and
with the money handed you pay whatever fine is asked against me.” So, Bates,
obeying these instructions, affected the ends sought by the defendant recluse. This
service but tended to increase the confidence of the strange and apparently friendless
man, and when later he was taken suddenly ill, and thought himself on the verge of
death, again called Bates to his bedside and revealed to him that he was in hiding from
the Federal authorities, and was the identical John Wilkes Booth, the assassinator of
President Lincoln. Recovering from this prostration, called to know if he had made

52
 any revelations as to his career in past life, Bates replying “Nothing of importance.”
But again and lastly, made full revelation to brother of his manner of assassination of
the president, manner of escape and wanderings under different names since that fatal
night, but exonerating Mrs. Surratt from any complicity or even knowledge of his
purpose to take the life of the president, characterizing her execution and conviction
as a conspirator as one of the great errors of the government. So, since the suicide of
this John Wilkes Booth, when he ended his life at state of Oklahoma, this brother has
written quite an interesting and creditable history of this noted personage, giving a
detailed account of his meanderings from the time of assassination to the close of his
eventful life. This brother finally drifted back to Mississippi and located in the
practice of his profession at Greenville, where he obtained an interest in its Street
Railroad, lost his wife there, and removed to Memphis, Tenn. where he again opened
a law office, and again married a Miss Doyle of Memphis and daughter, Mrs. Moore
of Carrollton, Miss. Child of the 2nd marriage, one son.
10. Louis Knox Bates, born March 1851, married in Hood County, Texas, when quite
young and indiscreet, wife unfortunately without education and of common ancestry.
Therefore, this brother seems to have lived amidst family household discord. But
seems to have maintained his family pride. Children of the marriage, sons alone, at or
near Waco, Texas, when last known. Have not been able to locate this unfortunate,
disconsolate brother for the past 7 years. (Knox married Sarah Sallie Crow 1873 in
Hood County, Texas.)
11. Alice Bates, born May 1856, married the Hon. George T. Jester of Corsicana, Texas,
and at her marriage, had the distinction of being called the most handsome woman of
the state by partial and admiring friends. The issue of this marriage union, being a son
Claudius and daughter Alice Jester. Mother died soon after the birth of her infant
child Alice. Son Claudius, now of the firm of Jester & Co. Bankers at 41, Pine Street,
New York and daughter Alice, wife of Dr. Johnson, Hospital Surgeon at Fort Worth,
Texas. Brother Robert P. Bates’ wife a sister of George T. Jester, and the husband of
our sister Alice.
12. Jeffie Bates, born May 1861, our father having died when was but a child, she was
educated with our children under a Governess in our home. Reaching womanhood,
her first marriage was to a Mr. Locard, from whom she was divorced because of
intemperate habits growing out of the use of narcotics, which, though he was a good
businessman, rendered him totally worthless, and as such a complete failure. The
fruits of this marriage was one daughter and only child of her life, she was educated in
Memphis, Tennessee and grew into womanhood with her mother then a music teacher
in the village of Bremond, Texas, where she married Mr. Bruce Campbell, a
prosperous lumber dealer of that place. And in the meantime, the mother married her
second husband, a Mr. Turner of that place, and soon thereafter died leaving surviving
this husband and daughter Mrs. Campbell. And as a testimonial of the high esteem of
her because of Christian merit and integrity, one of the windows of her church
affiliation is dedicated to her memory. (Jeffie married William Fletcher Locard July 3,
1877 in Lee County, Mississippi.)

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 THE MARTIN-HOUSER FAMILY

William Martin, and Hannah Houser Martin, his wife. Grandfather and mother of my wife, Nancy Susan
Martin Bates; were natives of York District, North Carolina. The grandfather, born May 5 th, 1794, and
mother, born May 15th 1777. After marriage, they settled near the Kings Mountain battlefield, where was
fought one of the fierce battles of the American Revolutionary War. The children of their marriage were
the following sons and daughters:

1. The Rev. James Martin, a pioneer missionary preacher removed his family from Carolina
and located on wild land and opened a small farm one mile west of Houston about the close
of the territorial government of Miss. and although poor and dependent on manual labor for
family maintenance, still he gave much of his time in doing missionary work, and tradition
gives him the credit of having done great good in the strengthening and building up the cause
of Christianity, and his ministerial labors are yet joyful memories of the ancestors of the
pioneers of that period, characterized as real Pentecostal religious feasts.

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2. Thomas Nelson Martin, born July 29th 1807, Parthena Houser Martin, his wife, born June
27th 1813, and married September 1830. They, too, after a year or two residence near King’s
Mountain, removed in cart and carryall, purchased a small tract of wild land near a gushing
spring in what has since been called the “Dark Corner,” then Chickasaw, but now in Calhoun
County, Mississippi. Opened a little farm, and when crop finished, taught a neighborhood
ABC school. Judge Martin, as he was commonly known, was later elected Clerk of the
Probate Court of Chickasaw County, when he removed to Houston, and was elected his own
successor for several terms, and from his induction into office to the day of his death,
continued as a resident of Houston, taking an active part, and bold stand in all affairs
conceived as tending to the betterment and prosperity of our citizenship. In the strictest sense,
a Jeffersonian Democrat, and a Ruling Rider in the Old School Presbyterian Church to the
day of his death. At close of his term of office as clerk of the Probate court, he was admitted
to the bar at Houston as practicing lawyer, soon taking rank among the first of its ablest
attorneys in the civil practice. Was at one time assistant clerk of the Mississippi House of
Representatives, and since the close of the Civil War, elected State Senator, representing
Chickasaw County under the provisions readmitting the state into the American Union under
the provisions of the Proclamation of President Andrew Johnson, and later, under same
provisions of reconstruction, elected to Congress from his district, but as was the entire
delegation, denied seats in that body, because of its ignoring President Johnson’s mild and
just plan adopted by our state authorities. So, after a well-spent life of superb usefulness, as
free of sordid selfishness as I ever knew; tested by daily companionship as partners in the
practice of law, from close of the war in 1865, to day of his death, on the 19 th day of May,
1888, at the age of 79 years, leaving surviving his wife Parthena, who followed him in death
in 1903 and that that was mortal of them now sleep side by side, commemorated by
monument in the Houston Cemetery.

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Thomas Nelson Martin, 1807-1886

Parthena Houser Martin, 1813-1902

56
 3. The Rev. Osborn Martin, a Methodist local preacher, also cast his lot in Mississippi, where
he married a Miss Davidson of Monroe County, Mississippi where she died pending the Civil
War, and having married again, later died near Water Valley, Mississippi, without children of
either union.
4. Dr. Andrew Jackson Martin was the only one of the sons who remained in Carolina. Was,
as known to me, quite a nice, retiring, unpretentious gentleman of culture.
5. The Hon. Hugh K. Martin, youngest of the brotherhood, and among the most brilliant of
them seems to have grown into manhood under more favorable surroundings than other
members of the family, and in fact called the “spoilt boy of the family.” Was a member of his
father’s household after, the father moved to Mississippi, following up the children.
Reaching manhood, was a deputy probate clerk under his brother Thomas N. Martin and like
the brother imbibed a passion for the practice of law, and about the meridian of life was
licensed as a practitioner in that profession. Opened up law office at Water Valley, Miss,
where he rapidly gained distinction as such. Was a man of hilarious nature, kind-hearted and
withal, sympathetic and liberal almost leading up to personal sacrifice was twice married,
leaving one son by first marriage. Died at Water Valley.
6. Susannah Martin, married Simon Eskridge in Carolina, and soon after removed to
Chickasaw County, where they settled near the brother pioneer, Rev. James Martin. Both
dead, leaving children.
7. Agnes Martin, married a Mr. Darby in Carolina, and they too removed to Chickasaw
County, settling near Houston. Both dead, leaving sons surviving, two of whom live near
Houston, and it is no vain exaggeration to say of my own knowledge, that these two sisters
were Christians, exemplifying their faith in everyday life.
8.

AGAIN REFERRING TO THE MARRIAGE OF THOMAS NELSON MARTIN, and Parthena

Houser Martin, his wife. Note that the issue of their union was one son and six daughters.

1. Mary Jane Martin, born June 19th 1831. First marriage to Wm. A. Scott, a Houston druggist,
June 10th 1848. Second marriage to R. W. Dominick, a farmer and miller, and later a West
Point, Mississippi merchant. Both died leaving children; those of the first marriage being
Thomas W. Scott, now a prosperous merchant of Cleburne, Texas, and daughter Sarah Scott,
now dead, who married Burgess Burkit; and of second marriage, Alonzo Dominick, James
Dominick; the former now of West Point, and latter of St. Louis, Mo. and prominent banker,
also daughter Mary Dominick, widowed wife of –-- Watson, deceased, now resident of West
Pont, Miss.
2. Sarah Ann Martin, born July 10th 1834, married Daniel C. Dulaney who became a
successful farmer near Graysport, Yalobusha County, Mississippi, moved thence to near
Pittsboro, Calhoun County, where he again operated a like enterprise, then disposing of his
holdings, removed family to Houston, here investing in lands adjoining the town, later laid
off into lots, now a part of it, and his resident home as well. Died of lingering chronic
troubles in 1879, leaving his wife surviving, one daughter and three sons, and now that that is
mortal of him rests in the Bats and Dulaney enclosure in the Houston Cemetery. Edwin
Dulaney, married and now among the prosperous farmers of the Mississippi Delta; Joseph

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 Dulaney, quite a businessman and well-informed now operating a lumber yard at Okolona,
Mississippi, and the youngest child, D. C. Dulaney, is a hardware merchant in Houston.
3. Nancy Susannah Martin, my dearly beloved wife, born September 8th 1836, will be later
referred to in connection of a married life of well-nigh fifty-nine years of unalloyed pleasure.
4. William Osborn Martin, born February 26th 1839. One of the most exemplified Christian
characters it has ever been my pleasure to know, he was, at the outbreak of the Civil War, a
student of the University of Mississippi at Oxford, and although not subject to military duty;
realizing it was a patriotic duty to render service in the Confederate army, obtained leave of
his father to go to Virginia and enlist as a private in the infantry company raised at Houston,
then commanded by Captain William F. Tucker, later General Tucker. Having married his
sister, and then a resident of Pontotoc town, the doting father wrote me of the fatal venture of
the son, hence I joined the two going by rail to Corinth where I witnessed the sad son, and
marked Christian resignation of the last glimpse of one of the other, as the son boarded the
train for Virginia where he enlisted in his selected command. His company regiment being
commanded by Colonel Reuben O. Reynolds of Aberdeen, Mississippi was a fighter, and
mortally wounded in his first engagement at the fierce battle of Malvern Hill, near Richmond,
Virginia, on 1st day of July 1862, and removed to hospital at Richmond, the father at once
being dispatched for only reached his couch there but to find that he had passed away on the
4th day of July, and remains buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, near Richmond; the father
returning home completely prostrated with sore grief, born with Christian resignation and
fortitude.
5. Hannah Virginia Martin, born April 22nd 1843, married Capt. W. J. Howell, Quarter Master
of the 24th Infantry Confederate Regiment, pending the American Civil War, and at its close
returned with his wife to his home at Houston, and soon removed to West Point, Miss. near
which he farmed for 2 or 3 years, bought farm lands near the thriving town of Greenwood,
Miss. and is now a part of the since embryo city, the increased value as a part of it,
augmenting Civil War losses and making family financially independent. The Captain died in
his farm home several years ago, was a liberal-hearted congenial gentleman, a Marylander by
birth, left surviving his wife, two sons and two daughters, having husbands; Captain Luckett
and Mr. Beal, who with son Blakely also married, are residents of Greenwood, while the
eldest son, William, like his brother-in-law Luckett, is a professional river boatman, residing
at Greenville, Mississippi. Mrs. Howell in girlhood spent much of her girlhood days as our
guest, while we lived at the town of Pontotoc. Was of most amiable character, full of good
cheer, kind and generous, a devoted wife and faithful loving mother; and indeed, a lover of
humanity. And at time of her death on the 8th day of October, 1919, was a universal favorite
of all who knew her.
6. Martha Oregon Martin, born August 3rd 1849, first married T.W. Blakely, a druggist at
Guntown, Miss. Second marriage a Mr. Roberts of Arkansas, and lastly the Rev. Pearson of
the Old School Presbyterian church, residing at Henrietta, Texas, who soon thereafter died
and his widow returned to her old home at Houston, where she now lives independently, and
unfortunately, childless.
7. Laura Alice Martin, born May 14th 1849, married H. C. Pruitt, and settled on farm adjoining
the corporate limits of Houston, given them by her noble generous father. Died at his home at
Houston, leaving surviving wife, one son, William O. and Adeline Pruitt.

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 The son graduated from the University of Mississippi at Oxford. Later married and was soon
assigned to duty by the United States government as one of the Superintendents of Schools in the
Philippine Islands where he served acceptably for several years, resigned and returned home, and
is now a fruit grower in the state of Washington. The daughter graduated from the Miss. Normal
College at Houston, Mississippi and married the Rev. B. F. Petty of the Missionary Baptist
Church, and they too are residing in the state of Washington, near the brother, the husband being
the pastor in charge of neighboring churches.

FROM MY BOYHOOD TO THE PRESENT

Was born September 30th 1830, in my paternal grandfather’s generous home, about seven miles west of
the town of Russellville, Franklin County, Alabama. Grandfather and father operating business together,
but failing and became victims because of ventures growing out of the “Flush Times of 1837,” from
which father only partially recovered until I had grown to be a middle-aged boy, which cut short, and
deprived me of, the finished education that it was his ambition to give me; that I might be better equipped
to meet the measure of my ambition, as a well-read and able lawyer, to which distinction he knew I
aspired. But making the best of unfortunate surroundings, had only the advantage of country pay schools
of that day, and that only between crop growing and gathering periods of the passing years, until 1849,
when father had partially regained financial strength. Was provided by him, with sufficient means to
enable me to conclude a smattering course of education at Irvin College, near McMinnville, Warin
(Warren) County, Tennessee.

Returning home from college in 1851, I was placed in charge, as chief clerk and manager of a country dry
goods store, operated in the firm name of Bates and Lindsey, located on the Lindsey place about two
miles west of the since located town of Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi. Later father purchased the
Lindsey interests in the country store and huge log store building, and removed all, and opened up
transferred business in same building erected on hill near deep cut then being made in preparing grade of
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, where I made sale of the first goods of the new town of Guntown, where I
remained until 4th day of July 1854. Then I packed clothes in saddle bags and rode horseback to the town
of Pontotoc, and entered the law office of Fontain and Bradford for a course of reading preparatory to
admission into the profession, and at the fall term of the Circuit Court of that county, was licensed to
practice by Judge Phineas P. Scruggs, presiding. At once opened up office, buying a small selection of
law books, costing $250 on credit from the Johnson Publishing Company, Philadelphia, and although a
comparative stranger of but two years residence, confined as student in preparation for the profession, my
practice was self-sustaining the first year. Pending this resident period I connected myself with the Old
School Presbyterian Church at that place, its pastor then being the Rev. John N. Miller, also resident of
Pontotoc.

Preparatory to my marriage to Miss Nancy Susan Martin of Houston, daughter of Judge Thomas N.
Martin, on the 13th day of October 1858, I purchased an unpretentious log house home, located on corner
of Square North of the Presbyterian church, and right of Main Street leading North. After our marriage
had building repaired before occupation, and while the workmen were thus engaged they found an old

59
rusty deck of worn-edged cards, so wife being fond of euchre card-playing, of which I knew nothing,
after our occupation of the repaired home sought to learn me the art. So one cold night setting in front of
our cozy wood fire while thus instructing me, she remarked, “This is a bad example to set before our
prospective family of children, let us burn the cards,” to which I gladly assented, the deck at once was
cast into the flames.

At time of our marriage, wife was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and I of the Old School
Presbyterian Church. Therefore, both being church members. On entering the new house and the new
relations of husband and wife, we resolved to consecrate our home to the service of Him we professed to
serve, and therefore, resolved to seek to live and conform to the teaching of the 10 Commandments,
which often led us to read one to the other during our married life, the 23 rd Psalm, expressive of our faith
and confidence in God’s care and oversight of us and the loved ones who seek to know and to do His holy
will. And being thus stimulated by divine influence, our home was ever open to the entertainment of
invited ministering brethren of all evangelical denominations, to the day of the close of our married life.

Our first children were twin daughters, Mary Martin and Maria Scott, born in the home of their
grandfather and mother’s in Houston, on the 8th day of November, 1859.

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In November 1860, was elected to the Probate Judgeship of Pontotoc County for the full term of two
years, after close of official term of office; preparatory to entering the infantry service of the Confederate
army, removed family for a time to Houston that it might have the watchful care and oversight of my
faithful father-in-law, Judge Martin and wife, renting the home residence, later purchased, where I now
reside, in the meantime, enlisted in one of the Cavalry Companies of the 8 th Mississippi Regiment, first
commanded by Colonel W. L. Duff, and lastly by Col. W. L. Walker, late of Houston. My company of
the regiment being under command of Captain Duke of Pontotoc County, but being a lawyer, I was at
once appointed Ordnance Sergeant of the Regiment, and was ever after on detailed duty as an assistant in
making up reports of officials to the War Department, and at the close of that disastrous bloody conflict;
financially on the verge of bankruptcy, as most of my comrades in arms, was discharged from service as a
private at Gainesville, Alabama, in 1865. (See Note 7.)

On my return home, found out that the results of the war had revolutionized and prostrated business
affairs, though not proposed [?], on what was then only regarded as a temporary removal, resolved to
make Houston our future home, when through generosity of my esteemed father-in-law, was admitted as
an equal partner in the practice of law, under the firm name of Martin & Bates, which continued on the
most amicable terms and without the least friction to the close of his eventful useful and eventful
Christian life, crowned with honor and financial success to day of his death in May 1886. And now that
he has gone, his remains lay at rest in the silent grave awaiting the coming of the Savior he sought to
vigilantly serve, as was known by all men having the pleasure of his personal acquaintance. And in our 21
years of daily official association, modest as a chaste woman, I never knew him to utter an expression that
was the least vulgar or profane.

President Lincoln having been assassinated at close of the American Civil War, on April 14 th, after
General Lee’s surrender, commanding the Confederate Army post of the Mississippi River, on the 8 th day
of April, 1865, Andrew Johnson, then Vice President, became president as his successor. When the period
of reconstruction of the seceded states began, and President evidently inaugurated the contemplated plan
of President Lincoln. At once, issued his Proclamation making known the terms upon which these states
might be readmitted into the original Federal Union, was so mild and conservative as to at once be
conformed to by call of these States of Constitutional Conventions, so as to amend them as to meet the
demands of President Johnson.

The radical element, then dominating legislation in the Congress of the United States, not content with
President Johnson’s action in the reconstruction and government of the seceded states, at once framed
Articles of Impeachment against him, and its Senate came within one vote of sustaining the charges
preferred by the Houses against him. When the fierce elements of Southern dislike opened, his mode of
reconstruction discarded, and the drastic Reconstruction Law was enacted, virtually disobeying the white
citizenship of these states, and they placed under military rule and cut up into the military districts, and
officers elected by these states under the Reconstruction Proclamation, were elected from office, and
carpetbaggers appointed by military rulers to administer them. Adelbert Ames was appointed Military
Governor of Mississippi, and a Negro Lieutenant Governor, by General Orbe, as I remember, who was
commanding this Military Department. And thus began the stormy days of Reconstruction, fraught with
crime and misrule. And in the meantime a new Constitutional Convention was convened by military
authority, principally composed of carpetbaggers and recently enfranchised negroes. The delegates from

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Chickasaw County to that Convention, were one B. R. Smith and a negro, both aligned with the carpetbag
element, but native scalawags.

This convention adopted a most drastic Constitution, which was referred for ratification to the voters of
the State for ratification or rejection, wherein the newly enfranchised negroes and eligible whites,
recognized voters under Acts of Congress, which gave the Negro element controlling power in all
elections. Its provisions being exceedingly drastic, that the disfranchised white element race in rebellion
against many of its provisions; when I, among others of our county, were appointed at a public meeting to
canvas it and enter protest against ratification and adoption, and thus armed with authority, we posted a
list of appointment for public speaking through the county, which was largely attended by our white
element and equally as well by the newly enfranchised negro element, which at the ensuing election
Chickasaw cast its vote, and the state as well, against its ratification and adoption. But that the drastic
provisions might be dealt with, it was submitted to President Grant, who found them so odious and
humiliating that they were eliminated and the state again reconstructed.

On assuming these new relations of self-government, but no change of franchise, was called a general
election was had for Governor, members of the Legislature, District and county officers; our Supreme
Judges then being appointive by our chief executive. At that election Adelbert Ames, then military
governor and his associative negro Lieutenant Governor was elected as their successors. The newly
elected legislative body soon assembled, organized, and lost no time in electing Bruce, a carpetbagger and
a native negro to represent the State in the United States Senate, while it was represented in the lower by
alien carpetbaggers and a native negro, and the Judges of the Circuit Courts of the state, District
Attorneys, and Judges as well being of the carpetbag class of vandals thus in charge of the affairs of our
state.

So, I being one, though not in the least favoring the Congressional mode of Reconstruction, advocated its
loyal obedience, that perchance our people might gain favor with our newly created rulers, and to this
end, took occasion in public speeches through our county and elsewhere to so express myself.

Thus following up this purpose of conscientious duty, on the assignment of our military rulers to duty in
this department, and its ejectment from office of those representing under home rule. An army surgeon of
the United States, having in the meantime married in my county was appointed to fill the two clerkships
of the Probate and Circuit Courts, to succeed the ejected ones, but nevertheless required to an official
bond. This military appointee, knowing I was one of the bondsmen of the deposed clerks, appealed to me
to become one of his official bondsmen. And in this connection, before making reply; demanded to know
if indeed he was in sympathy with our people and would use his official influence with a view of
extricating from the harsh treatment of military treatment. Replying affirmatively, stated, most assuredly;
for I having married in the county, expect to make it my future home, as he did.

Actuated by these promises, I became one of his bondsmen, realizing at the time, that for doing so, I in all
probability, was facing an impending storm of indignity. But conscious of a purpose purely patriotic and
loyal; with no hope or expectation of personal reward I assumed the responsibility for doing so. For a
time, shared the indignity, by a Tin Pan serenade our home at night, and a like indignity of our county
jailer, who took the affront in a spirit of levity and good humor, while I felt the sting of an ungenerous
insult; so manifested by an order of the parties from our yard.

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Soon thereafter a squad of Federal Soldiers appeared in Houston and arrested and took these parties under
guard to their posts at Oxford, Mississippi. These arrests served but to intensify the feeling produced by
my bold venture in becoming one of the bondsmen of the clerk aforesaid, and because of my resentment
of the serenade insult, these parties and their sympathies, not a few, charged me with giving information
leading to their arrests; following which, it seemed as if family and I were friendless, so much so that wife
insisted that we abandon our Houston home and leave the state, to which I replied, that I was innocent of
the charge of reporting this rash and indiscreet conduct of these young men, and the God in His goodness
and mercy would vindicate me in the end. So, later the military jailor came to my rescue, stating that if it
were a crime to report the serenading party, he was the guilty party, and not “Judge Bates.”

Then later, the serenading parties, one by one, had the unusual manliness to approach me in person and
apologize for the misapplied insult. And although, the indignity offered me and the results following, as I
now recount them had been one of the most crushing of a long life; at the time weighing heavily, because
of a consciousness of innocence, yet the frank and manly apology of these young men, allayed all my
animosity, and from that good hour to the present, the closest ties of friendship exists. “While all has
been well” with our neighbors, their sympathizers.

During this stormy period of Reconstruction, the Democratic party of the state, although weak and
powerless; ejected from state control yet held under the provisions of the Andrew Johnson Proclamation
mode of Reconstruction. Notwithstanding the dominating influence of the carpetbag, scalawag and Negro
political domination, still maintained its identity as a political element, and old-time usage of holding
delegated Conventions to nominate its candidates for Congress so without hope of success at the polls,
but that the party might be held in alignment so as to move in an aggressive political fight at an opportune
time. Pending this period of political despondency, the Democratic party met in Convention and
nominated Hernando Desoto Money, at that time, the brilliant editor of the Carrollton Conservative, who
had gained prominence and favor by reason of his brilliant editorials touching the reckless and inhumane
mode of Reconstruction.

Hernando Desoto Money (1839-1912)

Brother-in-law of Finis Langdon Bates, husband of his sister

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But soon after, it developed that dissensions had grown up between Republican aspirants for
Congressional nomination in the District that were apparent irreconcilable. And when, in the meantime,
many of our disfranchised debarred from the right of suffrage had been restored by the Amnesty
Proclamation of President Grant. The Chairman of our Democratic party of the district, apparently seeing
a prospect of our success, and a yearning desire to advance the political ambition of his friend Reuben
Davis. The political wire workers of the district seeking to discredit, and ignore the figurehead
nomination of Mr. Money, and nominate another in his stead, induced the call of a new delegated
Convention to convene at West Point for that end, whereupon the several counties of the district met in
convention and appointed delegates accordingly. Our county, Chickasaw being represented by a
delegation of seven, which were appointed by the Chairman, to me known as still favoring Mr. Money’s
nomination as openly as I.

The Chairman of our county convention, designated me as chairman of the West Point delegation of
seven. Thus enlisted in fair dealing, even in politics, and although I had not the pleasure of a personal
acquaintance with Mr. Money at that time, yet I regarded him as measuring fully up to the Jeffersonian
standard of fitness for the office he had already been nominated. From the morning of our convention,
and for the first time in life, to the close of the West Point Convention I began to maneuver to bring about
Captain Money’s re-nomination. As the signs of the times clearly revealed, that was to be an open fight
on the floor of the approaching convention of Money against the field of political tricksters.

So, to arm myself for the conflict I procured the proxies of all our county delegates to the convention
expect one, with instructions to cast their votes for the renomination of Captain Money. Two days before
the meeting of the convention I met Mr. Money, for the first time, when a pleasant guest in our home.
Scanning the prospects for his renomination, I informed him that Colonel H. L. Burkitt, living on the road
leading to West Point, was favorable to his aspiration and re-nomination, and that we would spend the
night before the convention in his hospitable home near Palo Alto, and drive into West Point next
morning.

So, while spending the night at his home, I took occasion to know of the General, if he was a delegate to
the convention. He answering in the affirmative, I suggested to him, that inasmuch as he was a retired
lawyer and familiar with parliamentary usages, and inasmuch as the convention was held in his county,
that he be selected Chairman of the approaching convention, to which he answered no protest. So, on
reaching West Point on the morning of the convention, I was at once met by my good friend Captain
Houston of Aberdeen, who hailed me, and remarked, “Judge, we must nominate our old friend Reuben
Davis for Congress today,” to which I dissented; avowing that I was the friend and supporter of Money
for renomination.

On call of the convention to order by the Hon. Thomas B. Sykes of Aberdeen, the outgoing chairman, it
was announced that there were contesting delegates from several counties of the District. The retiring
chairman, having announced the purpose for which he had called his convention, announced its readiness
for temporary organization; so I at once put in nomination General Henry L. Burkitt of Clay County for
temporary chairman, which prevailed without dissent. And later, lest my scheme to renominate Money,
based on my morning declaration to Captain Houston, be too clearly made manifest, I took the precaution
to have one of the Money friends at the opportune time to nominate General Burkitt for permanent
chairman, which was done, and as before, without opposition.

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The call of counties having developed several contesting delegations, necessitating the appointment of a
special committee on the question of seats in that body. It was made the duty of the chairman to appoint
one delegate from each county to determine the matter of eligibility to seats in its deliberations.
Whereupon, the Chairman honored me as the one from Chickasaw county, as chairman, and like friends
of Money were appointed from other counties composing of the district, hence his triumph and
renomination. And having control of six of the seven delegates votes in the convention, there was no
period pending the 17 ballots, the last of which gave him the nomination, when my Chickasaw vote
against him would not have worked his defeat. But notwithstanding a lifelong and most intimate
friendship, it is but just to say I never revealed to him the scheming part I took in giving him his second
nomination, and first election to Congress, nor do his most intimate friends have a knowledge of it.

ANTEBELLLUM SCHOOLS AT HOUSTON

Houston, from its foundation to the close of the Civil War, was somewhat an educational center for the
surrounding country. Her Male and Female Academies being under the supervision of first class teachers
so much so as to command patronage from adjoining counties, and where in part, General W. F. Brantley,
late of Greensboro, Mississippi, a gallant Confederate general, received initiatory education. (See Note
8.) But the results of this war brought about a new order of the school system, and since, has been
inaugurated the public school system, which has had the effect to practically stifle all private enterprises
then in vogue.

But soon after the close of the Civil War, and to meet the demands of old time school education,
somewhat improved by the Normal System. My lifelong friends Prof. H. B. Abernethy and amiable wife
opened up their private boarding school for male and female education at the little village of Troy, near
Pontotoc. Familiarly known as the Abernethy Troy School, it rapidly gained distinction as an educational
center.

As the close friends of the heads and founders of this institution, having learned much of its phenomenal
growth, I took occasion to attend one of their monument exercises, where I learned much of their mode of
teaching, leading to rapid and stable education. Houston at that time being short of educational facilities
sufficient to meet its old time ambition. I alone, and of my own volition, and without knowledge of those
educators. On my return to home began my extolling of the merits of the Troy School, and suggesting that
the people of Houston unite in an effort to get its removal and opening up in Houston the ensuing
scholastic year, which was heartily endorsed by our citizenship, and a meeting, and I might say, an
overflow one was held, which resulted in the appointment of a number of our enterprising and leading
businessmen as a committee to visit Professor Abernethy and wife at Troy to ascertain, if at all, upon
what terms they could be induced to transfer their educational institution and open it up anew at Houston
the ensuing scholastic year. The mission of the committee proved a signal success, and accordingly the
Troy School being transferred to Houston was established as the Mississippi Normal College, constantly
growing in popularity, the pupilage of the college were from every section of our state, and not a few
from adjoining states. But finally the institution became extinct. The college frame building and boarding
house, two story frame buildings being accidentally burned. And now the old lot upon which the old
college buildings stood, has a $30,000 three-story public school brick building, that in point of
educational facilities, ranks among the first of our state.

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 OUR RAILROADS and HOUSTON

Houston, being long deprived of the commercial advantages of railroad facilities. The law firm of Martin
& Bates, each for himself became stockholders in a projected enterprise to construct , what was later, by
an amended charter known as the Vicksburg & Nashville Railroad of they were elected attorneys, and in
the meantime the right-of-way was obtained from Okolona via Houston to Grenada, and five miles of
which was graded and iron laid between Okolona and Houston, when the scheme collapsed, mainly
because of litigation that had grown up in an effort of some of the counties to repudiate their fond
subscription in aid of the enterprise, which ultimately led to a sale of the road bed and franchises. At
which, the friends of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, who had all the while sought to discredit the
enterprise became purchasers, but later, realizing the certainty of the construction of a chartered railroad
competitor, to be constructed via Houston, and directly though the western part of Chickasaw county, the
Mobile and Ohio, lost no time in constructing its branch line over the old Vicksburg grade as far west as
Calhoun City. And it is no vain exaggeration to repeat, that the law firm of Martin and Bates acted well
their part in working up these enterprises, that has resulted in giving Houston, today railroad outlet with
the world. For which they had unselfishly worked since the American Civil War. And as for me, my
ardency was so great and constant, amidst gloomy prospects, that I gained the distinction of being called a
“Visionary Railroad Crank.”

AN INCIDENT IN THE LAW PRACTICE

Pending the law practice of Martin and Bates. They were retained by a widow lady to perfect her title to a
small tract of land at a small fee of $50, the cruel father sought to regain, and which he vigorously
defended; bringing about a long, drawn out suit. Pending this litigation, to which I was especially
assigned, under professional ethics, I chanced to pass a little worn out field where I saw a young girl
plowing, which at once enlisted my sympathy, so much so , that on first opportunity, I made enquiry as to
who the young lady was; then I learned she was the only child of our widowed client. And although the
suit was still pending, I informed my partner, Judge Martin of the scene, and at the same time suggested
that as the spectacle presented to me an object of charity, and I felt that the widow should have our
services without the $50 fee charge, to which his generous heart responded, “Yes, let us give our fee to
her.” So, in the end, the court confirmed her title to the land of which I informed her, who she at once
came to our office, with thanks and informed me of her inability to pay the fee. I told her partner and I
had talked the matter over and that she owed us nothing.

Another circumstance I venture to relate connected with my professional career: I was called on one
occasion to prosecute a man charged with a misdemeanor of which he was convicted. Quite ten years
later the party kindly approached me, enquiring if I remembered of having prosecuted him for crime.
Replying, I told him I did not. The good old fellow then remarked, “I want to thank you for the moral
lecture you gave me on that occasion, for it has made me a better man.”

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 WIFE AND FLOWERS AT HOME

God’s best gift to man, except the joys of salvation since Adam had been that of a loving confiding sweet
wife, and children of a consecrated household. Wife being passionately fond a great variety of flowers,
took great pride procuring and cultivating the high grades of bulbs producing flowers, roses, Cape
Jasmines and Magnolia, as much for the pleasure of others as for self, and at all times freely distributing
them as tokens of love and goodwill. Hence, I working in consort with her purposes to make glad, and
give evidences of esteem to the young girls attending the Mississippi Normal College. Passing to my
office in morning and afternoon, where I met many of these fair girls, trusting to show my appreciation of
them, in flower time, invariably gathered my handful, and one by one as I met them gave them a flower as
a token of appreciation and goodwill.

And as an incident of pleasant and grateful memory, years after, I was attending a Sam Jones meeting at
West Point, and at the close of the services was greeted by a smiling, sweet girl. Approaching me, when
she remarked, “You don’t know me, but I am one of the girls who was educated in the Mississippi
Normal College at Houston, and to whom you gave me flowers gathered from your home, and for which I
am yet grateful to you.”

And just another incident connected with these collegiate days relating to self, a matter of surprise, but no
less one of joy to my soul when one of the young men of the college who had lately joined the church
approached me expressing grateful thanks, that his observance of my manner of life had led him to
realize, “That indeed, there was comfort in an experimental knowledge of God’s redeeming love so
graciously felt by him.”

OUR GOOD-ROADS SYSTEM

The legislature of our state having abolished the old system of working our public roads, enacted a law
providing that the Boards of Supervisors let their future working out to the lowest bidder accompanied
with specifications as to the manner of working. This plan of road working, to my mind, was not
faithfully observed by our officials, in that, work was paid for, not performed according to contract
specifications, when much of our county revenue was expended without road improvement. But at the
same time, our road laws provided, that if the voters of the Supervisors districts so expressed it by vote,
any one of them might provide for a road issue creating a good road fund with which it might construct
within its bounds, graded and gravel roads. So, as an initiatory step to call the attention of the voters of
our county to the reckless expenditure of our road funds under the system then pursued, and to guard
against future like expenditures, I prepared papers, and sent them out to the several supervisor’s districts
of the county, which were numerously signed, urging the formation of a Good Road Association,
providing ways and means by which our people might see to it, that present road contractors might be
required by our Board of Supervisors to work up their contracts in accordance with specifications before
receiving pay.

This action on my part, resulted in an increased enthusiasm in interest of graded and graveled road, so
much so, as to enlist the people of the Houston district to petition our Board of Supervisors to order an
election, submitting to it, the question whether or not it should be permitted to issue its bonds to create a
fund for the construction of graded and graveled roads, which was at first defeated but at a subsequent
election prevailed, hence the inauguration and construction of the first district Good Roads in our county,

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which has not only increased the value of our lands, but increased and lightened the burden of road
transportation, and placed long distance friends within reach as door neighbors. While giving comfort and
pleasure to festive friends. And that, now Houston is connected by graded and graveled roads from every
point of the compass with the outer world.

WIFE’S EXIT FROM THIS LIFE

After a happy marriage union of quite forty-one years, and a patient lingering trouble of chronic disease
of more than ten years, born with Christian resignation, Our Father, on the 27 th day of July 1917, called
her sweet spirited soul from the shades of this life to the Elysian fields of the Spirit home, there to await
His second coming in the Morning of the Resurrection, when by faith I realize, she shall awake from the
silent grave, where she now sleeps in our Bates and Dulaney enclosure, in the Houston Cemetery, in
newness of felicitous eternal life, brightened with joys beyond our finite mind.

During this period of marriage union, our joys were the more intensified, because of a constant purpose to
observe, and live in accordance with the Rules laid down in the Ten Commandments. Then, again we
enjoyed still another soul stirring comfort, as wife often read to me in our silent meditations, the 23 rd
Psalm, expressing David’s confidence in God’s grace, which at one time elicited the gratifying
expression, of wife. That at no time during our marriage life, had we realized a want needful for our
comfort and that of our little household, that sooner or later it was attained.

And now she has been called to the grave to await and to receive her reward on the final Judgment day. I
now revel in the sweet memories of severed marriage union. While yet thus lingering, am tenderly cared
for as if but a child; having no want real or imaginary to my comfort and pleasure not provided for by my
two daughters and faithful grandchildren.

Thus, I have given somewhat of my life’s history. Wholly spent with a sincere purpose; freed from
selfishness as near as falls to frail humanity, seconded by the wife of sweet and lasting memory, to live by
precept and example that taking knowledge of us might realize that it has been bettered by our having
lived. Then too, I have realized in the long life God has been pleased to give me, that there is more
comfort to the soul to serve humanity than to be served. But another joy; that I do not call to mind, that
from early boyhood to the hour of writing, when not a lover and well-wisher for the betterment and uplift
of frail humanity, and never witnessed the day in life when I sought purposely injure of one of my fellow
men. Consequently, I realize by faith, sure and steadfast, as I near the close of life, “That all is well.”
Then again I rejoice that, while I have had crosses and sore disappointments common to this life. I can but
rejoice that I have had more of sunshine than of cloud in my pilgrimage through it. But notwithstanding
God’s kindly dealings with me, this life, with the joys I realize day by day, in sweet communion with
Him is yet a comfort to me, and would if I could prolong life rejoice to live that I might witness the
Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So if the loved ones for whom the foregoing is written, would be happy and content, manifested by daily
good cheer. SEEK NOT TO REVEL IN THE SLUMS OF DISPONDENCY, BUT STRIVE TO MOUNT
THE CAPSTONE OF BLISSFUL JOY.

Written and revised in the first months of my ninety-fourth year, and the 22 nd day of November, 1923.

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 NOTES

(With page number where the note appears in document above)

Note 1 – Creed Fulton Bates, Pg. 10

Note 2 – Phillip O’Reilly, Pg. 10

Note 3 – Mecklenburg Convention, Pg. 10

Note 4 – Mississippi Normal College, Pg. 26

Note 5 – Henry L. Burkitt, Pg. 27

Note 6 – Major Smith, Pg. 52

Note 7 – Military Service of Judge Bates and His Father’s Second Cousin, Pg. 61

Note 8 – General W. F. Brantley, Pg. 65

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Note 1 – Creed Fulton Bates

Creed Fulton Bates

Creed Fulton Bates (b. 1848 Bradley Co., TN., d. 1928 Chattanooga, Hamilton Co, TN) was the son of
Ezekiel Bates (first cousin of Robert Patrick Bates) by his second wife, Elizabeth Jane Douglass. He was
18 years younger than William Stowt Bates but was a very prominent attorney in Cleveland, Bradley
County, TN and later, Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN, running unsuccessfully for congress in 1888. As
mentioned in his closing, William Stowt Bates received much of the information about the earlier Bates
generations from Creed Fulton Bates. Because they were related and both very successful attorneys, they
apparently developed a close relationship. Judge Bates was eighteen years older than Creed Fulton Bates.
In 1922 Wm. Stowt Bates visited Lafayette Wilford Bates, younger brother of Creed Fulton Bates, in
Chattanooga. Following is an account of that visit written in 1936 by the daughter of Lafayette Wilford
Bates, Lorena Bates Fox.

"Judge William Stowt Bates visited my father and mother in St. Elmo, Tennessee when he
attended the Confederate Reunion, September, 1922. I was at mother’s at the time and was delighted
with Judge Bates, his courteous manners, his general appearance, tall, erect, slender, wore a silk top hat,

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carried a gold headed cane, wore a broadcloth suit. He had been in the Confederate Army as a drummer
boy of 14 as I recall. His home was Houston, Mississippi. After lunch, Judge Bates went up to the guest
room for a nap. His companion, Mr. Sly, from his hometown made a remark that is famous in our
household. He was telling mother that Judge Bates’ daughter would not consent to the Judge going to the
Reunion by himself. Since the latter was so anxious to attend, the daughter gladly consented if Mr. Sly
accompanied him. Mr. Sly said “after all Judge Bates’ daughter had a right to be concerned. Although
the Judge is in good health he is 90 years old.” My mother and I were astounded as he gave no indication
of such an advanced age. Mother than said “How nice of you to come with the Judge…you must be of
much assistance since you are so much younger….just how old are you?” Mr. Sly said, “Why, I’m only
79!!!” (Comment - Actual date of the thirty-first reunion of the Confederate Veterans in Chattanooga
was October 25-27, 1922.)

At the time of that visit he likely also visited with Creed Fletcher Bates, son of Lafayette Wilford Bates.
Creed Fletcher Bates, 1894-1975, was 28 at the time of that visit.

From "My Grandfather Bates and his Family of 20 Children" by Lorena Bates Fox/1936
"Creed Fletcher served as an officer overseas in World War I and II being awarded the Legion of Merit. Col. Bates has been
active in the civic, educational and religious life of Chattanooga and St. Elmo, a suburb of his birthplace, for many years. He
is a bachelor. As county historian he is really interested in the history of Tennessee. He was awarded the Liberty Bell award
1971 by the Chattanooga Bar Association. He is listed in Who’s Who in the South and Southwest. Was awarded Civitan
Club Outstanding award, form Pres. And Board of Governor of Tennessee."

In the Fred and Dessie Simmons biography of Robert Young, Sr. (father-in-law of William Bates), the following comments
are provided about Creed Fletcher Bates: "He was an educator. Some of his degrees and accomplishments: A.B.
University of Chattanooga, 1914; A.M. Columbia, 1924; post-graduate Sorbonne, 1919; Peabody College, 1921; Stanford,
1928; and the University of Wisconsin, 1932. He taught and had been in administration in many schools and colleges. He
served in AEF as 2nd Lt. in Field Artillery, U.S. Army, World War I, and Lt. Col. in AUS World War II; Decorated Legion of
Merit; Bronze Star (US); Order Crown of Italy; Life Member NEA, past president and district governor Civitan Club, past
president Half Century and past president Schoolmasters."

Note 2 – Phillip O’Reilly

Phillip O’Reilly was born 1798 in Ireland and died Oct 18, 1842 in Franklin Co., AL at the age of
44, buried in Old Town Cemetery. A review of BLM land records reveals that he was one of the largest
land owners in Franklin County, Alabama, acquiring thousands of acres, most in 1838. Robert Patrick
Bates acquired his lands there in 1835 and 1838. His son, Henderson Wesley Bates, acquired his lands
there in 1842, after death of his father and Phillip O’Reilly. Tuscumbia is now in Colbert Co., Alabama
which was formed from Franklin Co., Alabama in 1867. A Phillip O’Reilly acquired land in what is now
Colbert Co., AL in 1842-1843 and was, therefore, more likely the son of Phillip O’Reilly, Sr. Therefore,
William Stowt Bates may have been incorrect in believing that the Phillip O’Reilly in Tuscumbia was the
friend of his grandfather, but more likely, his son. Phillip O’Reilly owned land in the same
township/range/section as Henderson Wesley Bates, father of Wm. Stowt Bates, that section adjoining the
section where Robert Patrick Bates owned land. He was, therefore, a neighbor of the Bates family.
Robert Patrick Bates died 1840, two years before his friend died. And William Stowt Bates was only 2
years old when O’Reilly died. Phillip O’Reilly appears in the 1840 census of Franklin Co., Alabama,
living near Jane Bates, widow of Robert Patrick Bates, and Henderson E. Bates, brother of Robert Patrick
Bates. He was, therefore, undoubtedly a close friend of his Bates neighbors. It is interesting to note that
Dr. Samuel Sevier (1785-1849), his mother, Catherine “Bonnie Kate” Sevier (d. 1836.widow of John
Sevier, first governor of Tennessee), and other Sevier family members are also buried in the Old Town

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Cemetery in Franklin County, Alabama. The Sevier family was friends and neighbors of the Bates and
Young families of Tennessee, following members of the Bates family to Franklin County, Alabama in the
early 1800’s, after death of Governor John Sevier in 1815.

Note 3 – Mecklenburg Convention

Wm. Stowt Bates is perhaps confusing the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which is
believed by some to have been the first declaration of independence, although most historians believe it
never existed, with the document that William Bates did sign and is referenced in J. G. M. Ramsey’s The
Annals of Tennessee, published 1853 by the famous Tennessee historian. According to Ramsey, the
Watauga settlement, located generally in what is now Tennessee, sent “a petition and remonstrance from
Watauga settlement, praying, among other things to be annexed, whether as a county, district or other
division, to North-Carolina. The document appears to be in the handwriting of one of the signers, John
Sevier, and is probably of his own production. The document, now in the state archives at Raleigh, has
endorsed upon it, ‘Received August 22, 1776’. It had been probably drawn up in the early part of that
year. is without date and is now in the state archives of Raleigh, North Carolina.” (Pgs. 136-138) Wm.
Bates is among the signers of the petition.

Note 4 – Mississippi Normal College

Mississippi Normal College: Submitted by Betty S. Atkinson

“The Mississippi Normal College is one of the most significant historical facts about Chickasaw Co.
Schools known as "Normal Schools" included a two year advanced program and this program was usually
designed to train teachers.
Mississippi Normal College was founded by Professor Howea B. ABERNETHY and his wife, Sally
GARRETT ABERNETHY, at Houston in 1888. In 1884, the ABERNETHYs organized the Mississippi
Normal High School at Troy, Pontotoc Co, MS. Among the Houston citizens who were instrumental in
securing the services of the ABERNETHYs were: Judge W. S. BATES, Will WHITE, T. W. SCOTT,
Dr. J. S. EVANS, W. R. DAVIS, Dr. W. L. WALKER, P. W. SHELL and H. L. McALISTER.
Located on the property, now occupied by the Houston Elementary School, stood two large two-story
frame buildings. These two buildings were used to house the grade pupils and provide classrooms for
college students. There was also an auditorium with a seating capacity of one thousand.
During the day, large windows provided enough light for classes to be conducted and kerosene lamps
furnished the light for night entertainment.
The girls were housed in a large two-story dormitory and the boys boarded in private homes.
The curriculum included Teacher's course, Scientific Junior, Scientific Senior and Classic. "Diplomas are
conferred, not sold. Good moral character is required to graduate, and a degree will not be given to
anyone who is known to drink during the year."
Other than paying tuition with cash, which was not easy to do in those early days; it could be paid with
livestock, produce, wood, eggs and milk. Board, including lights, washing, fuel and a furnished room was
$8.50 per month.
Other school costs for the students included the following: Teacher's Dept. tuition, $3.00; Junior
Scientific Year tuition, $3.00; and Senior Scientific Year tuition, $4.00.
The maximum salary for teachers was $45.00 per month.
Although the girls were required to wear uniforms, the boys could wear what they wished. Students were

72
required to attend Sunday School at a church of their choice; but a faculty member affiliated with that
church accompanied the students.
Seniors gave a program every ten weeks called a "Reunion"; and people from all around would gather in
the auditorium for these programs.
Commencement time was very special for all the students enrolled in the school. Students would gather
together for dorm parties and during this time; many boy/girl friendships began that later developed into
happy marriages.
Mr. and Mrs. ABERNATHY left Houston in June 1901 to teach school in Paris, TX. After they left
Houston, the school was presided over by W. T. FOSTER in 1901-1902; J. M. YOUNG, 1902-1903; and
E. L. COLLINS in 1903-1906. Between 1906-1926, Houston High School served the community under
the leadership of Mr. L. B. REID from Tyler, TX.
Some of the outstanding graduates and their occupations from MS Normal College are: J. R. COUNTIES,
President of Grenada College; T. R. PADEN, minister; C. J. LONGEST, educator; Robert TANNER,
educator; C. L. CROSTHWAIT, educator; M. P. BUSH, educator; J. A. WADDINGTON, M. D.; Judge J.
W. PACK, jurist; Tom ABERNETHY, business; Walter SCOTT, business; Duggan SHELL, business;
and Burgie SCOTT, business.
Betty S. ATKINSON, submitter of this story on MS. Normal College, states that the school is of special
interest to her because her grandfather, Walter Enochs SCOTT, Sr.; her grandmother, May Hill SCOTT
and her great-uncle Burgie SCOTT were all graduates of the college. Her grandfather, Walter Enochs
SCOTT, Sr., gave the speech at the commencement exercises on June 7, 1892. The title of his speech was
"The History of Houston".
There are two photos of Mississippi Normal College in the book "History of Chickasaw Co., Vol I". One
is of the Sophomore class and teachers of 1902-1903 and identify the following students and teachers:
Prof. Granville A. YOUNG, Mrs. Young, their small child Virginia YOUNG, Alan YOUNG, Prof.
GUNTER, Orion TABB, Annie ATKINSON, Corinne MEDLIN and Avery TABB.
The other photo is of the 1904 Mississippi Normal College group and only the teachers are identified.
They are Ernest Lee COLLINS and Huburt M. COLLINS.”

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Note 5 – Henry L. Burkitt/Burkett

Henry Lemuel Burkett was born Oct 28 1818 in North Carolina. He died 1901 in Mississippi. In the
1860 census Henry L Burkitt is listed as an Attorney at Law in Waynesboro Tennessee. He was a
confederate soldier, major of the Lawrenceburg militia and promoted by the Governor to Brigadier
General. He lost everything that he had during the war. He then moved to Palo Alto Mississippi where he
prospered and later served four years as a senator in Mississippi. He reprinted his Grandfather, Lemuel
Burkitt's, "A History of the Kehukee Association" and wrote a book on "Maxims for Youth". In the 1880
Census of Clay County, Mississippi (adjoining Chickasaw County, Mississippi), he is shown as Genl. H.
L. Burkett, age 62, farmer with his wife, Louisa, age 55. Living with them was their son, Exile, age 15.

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Note 6 – Major William W. Smith
Major William W. Smith was born 1800 in Maryland and died October 12, 1856 in Mooresville,
Lee County, Mississippi. His wife was Matilda Rachel McMeans (1813-1860). Their youngest
daughter, Margaret Virginia Smith (1848-1921) married James Thomas Bates, brother of Judge Bates.

Note 7 – Military Service of Judge Bates and His Father’s Second Cousin
In his 1923 family history, Judge Bates stated that he

Enlisted in one of the Cavalry Companies of the 8th. Miss. Regiment, first commanded by Col.
W. L. Duff, and lately by Col. W. L. Walker, late of Houston. My company of the regiment being under
command of Captain Duke of Pontotoc county, but being a lawyer, was at once appointed Ordinance
Sergeant of the Regiment, and was ever after on detailed duty as an assistant in making up reports of
Officials to the War Department, and at the close of the disastrous conflict; financially on the verge of
bankruptcy, as most of my comrades in arms, was discharged from service as a private at Gainesville,
Alabama in 1866.

(Dunbar Rowland’s “Military History of Mississippi, 1803-1898” reflected that Walker’s

Company, Company E, was raised in Chickasaw County, Mississippi.

In his position as an Ordinance Sergeant perhaps Judge Bates was not directly involved in various
battles in the area. It would be interesting, however, to know if Judge Bates knew that his father’s
second cousin, James Campbell Bates, was involved in battles in his area and actually came through
Houston, Mississippi. Capt. James Campbell Bates related his experiences in the 1862 battles of Holly
Springs, Grenada and Corinth in his letters to his mother. On December 29, 1862 he wrote one of the few
Confederate accounts written immediately after the raid on Holly Springs. In his letter he stated:

“At 2 oclk on the morning of the 16th our Regt left camp & at daylight arrived at Grenada where
we found the remainder of our Brigade awaiting us. At 8 a.m. the two Brigades, commanded by Genl
Van Dorn, were on the march. Crossing the Yazoo [Yalobusha] river some distance above Grenada we
proceeded to Houston & from Houston to Pontotock. Amongst the crowds of ladies who thronged the
streets to welcome us I found one familiar face---Mrs. Row[?] at the latter place. She did not recognize
me & I did not make myself known. I never saw such wild demonstrations of joy as were exhibited by
the ladies of Pontotock & in fact of every little town we passed through. At almost every door you might
have seen a crowd of soldiers receiving meat & bread milk etc.”

Captain James Campbell Bates (1837-1891) was the grandson of Joseph Bates of Overton
County, Tennessee who was the brother of Elijah Bates, the great grandfather of Judge William Stowt
Bates. James Campbell Bates had moved from Overton County to Henderson County, Texas shortly after
the death of his father in 1838. In 1856 he and his mother moved to Paris, Lamar County, Texas. In
1861, at the age of 23, he enlisted in the 9th Texas Cavalry Regiment. By the end of the war in 1865 he
was no longer a boy. He returned to Paris, Texas to marry his sweetheart, become a doctor and die of
complications from the wounds he received at the end of the war in 1891 at the age of fifty-four. One can
only wonder if Judge Bates ever became aware of the existence of his second cousin, once removed, who
traveled through his little town of Houston, Mississippi during the war. The map below provides the
route Captain James Campbell Bates took in and around the world of Judge Bates during 1862.

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From A Texas Cavalry Officer’s Civil War – The Diary and Letters of James C. Bates
Edited by Richard Lowe – Published 1999 – LSU Press

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 James Campbell Bates, 1837-1891
Son of William Mitchell Bates, 1808-1838
Grandson of Joseph Bates of Overton County, TN, 1777-1849
James Campbell Bates was 2nd cousin of the father of Judge Bates, Henderson Wesley Bates
Photo on cover of the book taken about 1861

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Note 8 – General W. F. Brantley

William Felix Brantley

“Two brothers W.F. Brantley and Arnold Brantley were both killed in the vicinity. Arnold
Brantley was killed in Winona in 1880. His murderers escaped. Gen. W.F. Brantley was ambushed riding
from Winona to Greensboro, by a group believed to have been the killers of an older Brantley brother in
Texas. Political candidates frequently campaigned at Greensboro, including, in 1851 Jefferson Davis who
was seeking the office of governor. Seven young men of Greensboro and Choctaw County rushed to
enlist at the outbreak of the American Civil War. The first company organized was the Wig Fall Rifles,
company D 15th MS infantry C.S.A. This unit was formed in Greensboro in April 1861 and the Captain
was William F. Brantley of Greensboro later to be one of the youngest confederate generals. In December
1864 federals raided the town and burned much of it.” (From Wikipedia, Webster County, Mississippi.
Webster County adjoins Chickasaw County to the south.)
William Felix Brantley was born in 1830 in Greene County, Alabama, but moved with his family
to Mississippi while still a child. He was a son of William Brantley, originally from Georgia, and his wife
Marina Jolly of Alabama. By 1850 Brantley was studying law in Carroll County, Mississippi. Two years
later he began practicing as a lawyer in now non-existent city of Greensboro in Webster County,
Mississippi. On December 27, 1855, Brantley married Cornelia S. Medley, and the couple would have
three children together. They were: Mary Thomas, born September 5, 1858, in Macon and died June 11,
1943, in St. Louis, Missouri; Joseph Ransom, born September 5, 1859 in Choctaw County and died there
on September 19, 1869; and an un-named infant born in 1861 and died on June 7 of that year. By 1860
Brantley was a lawyer in Choctaw County, Mississippi, where he lived with his brother Dr. John Ransom
Brantley. In 1861 he represented his county during the Mississippi state secession convention.
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Brantley chose to follow his home state and the
Confederate cause. On April 20 he entered his state's forces as a captain in the Mississippi Militia. On
May 21 Brantley joined the Confederate Army when his company (called the Wigfall Rifles) was added
to the 15th Mississippi Infantry as Company D, of which he was elected its captain. In the spring of 1862
he was a captain in the 29th Mississippi Infantry, and fought at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, where he
was wounded. That May Brantley was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and on December 13 he was
promoted to colonel in command of the 29th Mississippi. He then fought during the Battle of Stones
River, in which he was wounded again, hit in a shoulder on December 31.

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Brantley led his regiment (now part of the Army of Tennessee) during the Battle of Chickamauga from
September 19–20, 1863, and then with distinction in the Chattanooga Campaign that October and
November. In his commander's report about the Battle of Lookout Mountain, Brantley was praised for his
conduct:
It is due in particular to commend Col. W. F. Brantley, Twenty-ninth Mississippi regiment and
Lieut.-Col. McKelvaine, Twenty-fourth Mississippi regiment, for the skill, activity, zeal and courage I
have ever observed in them under similar circumstances, but which in an especial degree signaled their
actions on this occasion."
Also during 1863 Brantley's wife Cornelia died. He led the 29th Mississippi into the Atlanta
Campaign in the spring and summer of 1864. In the inconclusive Battle of Resaca on May 13–15 he was
again noted for his performance, "commended for gallantry, after leading a charge on the enemy that
repulsed Federal assaults three times." During the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, his brigade commander,
Col. Samuel Benton, was mortally wounded, hit in his chest and right foot by a shell. Brantley then took
command of the brigade, and would lead it for the rest of the war. On July 26 Brantley was promoted to
the rank of brigadier general. He then led his brigade during the Franklin-Nashville Campaign in late
1864. At Battle of Franklin on November 30, Brantley's command consisted of the 24th, 27th, 29th, 30th,
and the 34th Mississippi Infantry, plus a dismounted cavalry company.
In 1865 Brantley's command and the remnant of the Army of Tennessee participated in the
Carolinas Campaign, and he surrendered along with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina on April
26. He was paroled on May 1 from Greensboro and returned home to Mississippi.
After the war ended in 1865 Brantley resumed his law practice in Mississippi. He also married a
woman named Julia, and an un-named son was born 1869, but the child died on November 10 that same
year. Brantley was part of a family feud, and this led to his own death. An account of his involvement
follows: William’s brother, Dr. John Ransom Brantley was killed in Gonzales, Texas in 1859. The
brothers’ reprisal for this act, lead to other murders. On August 16, 1870, William’s brother, Arnold J.
Brantley, was shot in cold blood, according to reports. The Weekly Clarion stated in November 1870 that
it was the General’s attempt to bring to justice the party responsible for this murder that led to his own.
He was shot and killed near Wiona, Mississippi on November 2, 1870 as he drove his buggy from town
toward his home. None of the assassins were ever apprehended.
Brantley died of a shotgun blast at Winona, located in Montgomery County, Mississippi, in 1870.
He was buried in a cemetery "behind the church at Old Greensboro, about three miles north of Tomnolen,
Webster County, Mississippi."

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