The Bates Family of Old Virginia held it's 26th annual reunion on 20 and 21 June 1997 at Holiday Inn - Monticello in Charlottesville, VA. Members attended from ten states, from Alabama, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma Tennessee, and Virginia. Attendees were descendants of John Bates (1598-1666) of York CoVA; Robert Bates Sr. (1745 d p 1850) of Albemarle CoVA and Williamson CoTN; Reuben Bates (1730/1 d p 1800) of Louisa CoVA, and William Bates (c1646-c1684) of Essex CoVA. Jay Worral, Jr. of Charlottesville, VA was the featured speaker. Mr. Worral is an authority on Virginia Quakers. He is author of the highly acclaimed book " The Friendly Virginians - America's First Quakers," published in 1994. His book includes coverage of the Bates Quakers, beginning with third generation brothers John and James Bates who were converted in 1698. From the beginning, the book states that "Bateses were a power among Virginia Friends (Quakers) for four generations thereafter." Copy of Mr. Worral's speech will appear within the July 1997 edition of The Bates Booster newsletter published by The Bates Family of Old Virginia. The Treasurer reported that The Bates Family of Old Virginia has 264 paid up members not counting libraries and others that receive complementary copies of The Bates Booster newsletters. Wayne Witt Bates, Editor The Bates Booster Newsletter The Bates Family of Old Virginia