Jack, I thought I had an 1840 AL Census Index for Bates, but I don't find it. The dog probably ate it. :) 1860 GA Census Index lists a Thomas A. Bates, page 254, in Spaldin County. I did not find a Thomas in Bibb County. 1850 Bibb County Census, David P. Bates was born in GA. Who knows, as little as I know about David P. Bates, he may be related to your Thomas A. Personally, I believe he went to MARS to visit his father-in-law, Benjamin GRIFFIN, and never returned. Good Luck, Darlene