Some time ago, Laren Delaney of the Bates Assoc. asked me to post my information on the line I have for Abner C. Bates Jr., b. 7 Jan 1777. I've tried to keep it brief. - - - - I trace my ancestry through Abner Jr.(Abner Sr.; David; John; Increase; Edward; William) Let's start with more immediate ancestors of mine: 1) Mehitable Bates m. Alfred Chilson, 14 Feb 1838 in Chester, Ohio. (I am descended from this line). 2) Mehitabel Bates, b. 6 May 1812 to Abner Bates & Hitty [Mehitabel Whitman]. [Church record of the First Congregational Church on the Hill, 1762-1839] [Cummington, MA Vital Records]. 3) Abner Bates Jr. and Hittee Whitman m. 27 May 1798. [Town Clerk's records, publishment of intent to marry]. [Cummington, MA Vital Records]. 4) "Mehitabel [Whitman], b. 21 Feb 1779; m. May 27, 1798, Abner C., Jr. son, of Abner C. and Hannah Bates, b. 1776; d. Nov 2, 1815; residence Cummington Mass. She died Chester, O., June 7, 1841..." [History of the Descendants of John Whitman of Weymouth]. [She was the dau. of Samuel Whitman]. 4) "Samuel [Whitman], b. 1730; ..[cut for brevity].. At the age of 94 Samuel having removed from Bridgewater to Cummington, joined that Baptist Church... [History of the Descendants of John Whitman of Weymouth] 5) "Abner Bates (David, John, Increase, Edward) son of David and Hannah, b. Aug. 10, 1740; d. ; m. Sarah Tower, Sept. 13 1770. Children; John, b. April 2, 1773. Abner, b. Jan 7, 1777. Hannah, bapt. Jan 15, 1779. Debbe, bapt. Nov. 5, 1780." [History of the Descendants of John Whitman of Weymouth] 6) An "Abner Bates of Weymouth" served in the Revolutionary war in a unit commanded by James Lincoln, listed on 1 Jan 1776. [History of Hingham]. [His father David Bates married Hannah Lincoln in Hingham]. I find no further signs of Abner in Hingham/Bridewater/Weymouth. I believe that Sarah Tower died between Nov 1780 and spring 1784; Abner moved to Cummington and remarried. The next record I have is from Cummington: 7) The "Vital Records of Cummington" mentions Abner arriving from an "unknown location". 8) Marriages - Abner [Bates] and Hannah Norton, 4 Nov 1784. [Town Clerk's records, publishment of intent to marry]. [Cummington, MA Vital Records]. 9) Births - Bates, Virtue b. 26 Oct 1785, bap. 21 May 1786, d. of Abner and Hannah James b. 2 Aug 1788, bap. 12 Oct 1788, s. of Abner and Hannah. d. 15 Dec 1806. [Cummington, MA Vital Records]. 10) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1790 Census for Cummington: | (and, based on the *Bridgewater* Bates data:) Bates, Abner 1 FWM 16+ | (Abner Sr. was 49) 2 FWM -16 | (John was 16, Abner Jr. was 12) 4 FWF | (wife Hannah, Hannah Jr. - 11, Debbe - 10 and Virtue - 4) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1800 Census for Cummington: Bates, Abner 1 FWM 10-16 | (James was 11) 1 FWM 16-26 | (Abner Jr. was 22) 1 FWM 45+ | (Abner Sr. was 59) 1 FWF 10-16 | (Virtue was 14) 2 FWF 45+ | (wife Hannah & her mother?) any data on a male Mr. Norton death 1790-1800? At this census, John was 27, Hannah was 21 and Debbe was 20, all are gone from the household. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The 1810, etc. census data also match very well with the dates of birth from the Bridgewater data [Bates geneaogy by Samuel Bates]. I would like to get corroberation on Sarah Tower's death [probably in Bridgewater, Weymouth or Hingham.. between Nov 1780 and spring 1784]. Also, any data on Abner or Hannah filing for a War Pension? If so, from where? (that's as short as I could keep it! Thanks ) - Roger