By Sandy Bates
Francis Bates of Ipswich was most likely born around 1621-1627 in England. Date of arrival is not known. He married Ann Oldham and they lived in Topsfield, Mass. They had Sarah b 1659, Symond died at one month, Ebenezer b 1661/2, Francis Jr. was born in Ipswich in 1668, taken from Ipswich Vital Records. Many families moved to Rhode Island and if this Francis did so then he could well be the Francis Bates Sr. of North Kingston, RI. But proof is still lacking. Francis Jr. married Mary Burge in N. Kingston, RI. Story has it they had 11 children. Some must have died young as no more record. Francis then married Margaret Nichols and they must have had several children. Listed in his will is Daniel, James, Samuel. It would seem that most descendants are from the son James.
This file is a copy of a letter with various signatures, one is of a Francis Bates from Wickford to Hartford. The letter is in PDF format. Click here.