Morning Listers, Found a letter here from a Michael Bates: ( not edited) ( my addition in () 27 Januy `1826 (From ): Brandon (is this VT) Brother Benj. I have wated Longanus to have a letter from you and I shant wate no Longer I got home well and found my fo;ks well I want to here from you very much more especially from Jedadiah I feel worred about him I am afraid that he will perrifh (perish) in some of his runaway Scraps if you think that is ritt for him to cum up here to stay ware he is you must wright Quick and Let me know how his manner is and how you and your family to I want to know whether Mr. Bignal ( Bicknell) has bought or got hi plac and how they ddo ebecca promise to wright But I gufs that hur word is not good I want to see Joshua about that note and he said that he would pay it and was mad with me for bringing it up. Remember me to dr. Thurber and tell him that I have not hurd from him yet give my love all your family and all others that inquire afer me Don't fale to wright. Michael Bates __________ Rebecca Bates metioned above was married to Simon Bicknell. Yes they did get that property in 1826. (house and land still intact 2004) They had no children . Rebecca died and Simon remarried and had 1 child: All other mentioned above did marry and have families, I think? . Probably not Jebadiah as we hear he was a little backward or hard to handle? Benjamin, Rebecca and Jebadiah were children of Joseph BATES and Martha Chilson. I have NO Michael in my data for this family.. Can anyone help placing Michael in this family?? I believe this letter proves he was their brother. Alice