James Bates was my gt. gt. grandfather and the father of Albert William Bates 1877-1949
He was born in Ampthill, Bedfordshire on 28th January 1842 to James and Caroline and was second born.
The 1851 census shows James living with his parents, older sister, Caroline, and younger brother, Albert, in Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Beds. They also had a servant, Henrietta Page. His Father was Police Superintendent at the time.
By 1861 the family are living in the Police Office on Hog Hill in Ampthill. James is 19 and described as a pupil teacher. There are now 6 children.
On 24th December 1866 James married Mary Ann Matthews in Huntingdon. Mary Ann was born in France. Her Father worked on the construction of Railways and her family was constantly on the move.
By the time of the 1871 census James and Mary have 2 children and are living in Huntingdon High Street. James has not become a teacher but is employed as a Commercial Clerk opening railways. I presume he went into this line of work due to his Father in Law.
In the 1881 census, the family are living at 7 Blakesney Street, St George In The East (the east end of London). There are now 5 daughters and a son, my gt grandfather, Albert. In the next census in 1891, aged 49, James and his growing family are living at 22 Devonport Street, Ratcliff, East London. He was now a Merchant’s Clerk.
James’ wife, Mary Ann, died in 1898 at the age of 53. She had given birth to at least 9 children.
On 12th August 1899 James married Emily Ann Bacher at Christ Church, Watney Street, London E1. Emily had 4 children from her first marriage.
The 1901 census shows James and Emily living with 5 of their children (3 Bates and 2 Baker) in Mile End Old Town.
James is listed in the 1911 census as an out of work Commercial Clerk. I should hope he was retired as he was now 69. He and Emily are the only 2 now living at 55 Barclay Road, Leytonstone, Essex. They have no children together.
James died less than 2 years later on 14th January 1913 at the age of 70 in Essex.
James will left £6474 15s 3d to his children, Albert, Walter, Percy & Lilian.
Comments