Quarterly sorts out Bates, Thompson families

John E. D’Anieri was looking for Thompsons when he found an essay on the John Bates family in bound collections of columns from the Eastern Gazette, the Dexter newspaper which published in the 1930s and 1940s both “Old St. Albans Families” and “Local History Column.”

The latter column in the Aug. 17, 1933 issue has led to D’Anieri’s article on Revolutionary War soldier and sailor Jabez Rose Bates in The Maine Genealogist, the August issue of the quarterly of the Maine Genealogical Society.

Born in Hanover, Mass., Bates married Elizabeth Barker in 1786, and the couple raised their children in Hallowell and Greene: Sally, John, Elijah, Lucy, Betsy, Jabez, Cyrus and Charles.

Jabez was the sixth generation of the family, whose immigrant ancestor was Clement Bates. The lineage comes down from Clement through James, Joseph, Joseph and Benjamin, Jabez’ father.

D’Anieri does a nice job of explaining Jabez’ Revolutionary War service at West Point and aboard three privateers. The article also tells how Bates’ grandson, Dexter blacksmith Israel Putnam Bates, joined a Civil War regiment from Corinth when state officials sent home some of the volunteer groups from Dexter.

Israel served in several battles before being injured by a log while helping to build a corduroy road in Virginia in September of 1862. He died in 1867.

The great thing about this article, as is typically true of MGS pieces, is the wealth of resources listed in the footnotes. Among them are James H. Mundy’s 1994 book, “No Rich Men’s Sons, The Sixth Maine Volunteer Infantry.”

The Thompson connection is Bates’ daughter, Maria or Marie Louise Bates, known as Minnie, who married Aratus Thompson, then of Dover.

Their children were: Gertrude, who married Alfred Wickett and Charles Scales; Sarah Elizabeth, who married Fred Weaver; Ernest Putnam Thompson, who married Nettie McLeod; Jessie; Bessie, who married Allison Eldridge; Elbridge, who married Mary Casey; Walter, who married Clara Ella Mosher; Minnie, who married Harry Mabie; Lovina, who married Anthony Beers; Henry, who married Bessie Nickerson; Pearl; and Maurice Stanley, who married Elida Ruth Noddin.

Other interesting articles in this issue include Priscilla Eaton’s “Catherine, Wife of Samuel Yeaton of the Isles of Shoals and Falmouth, Maine;” James William Cummings’ “Phebe, Daughter of Hosea Washburn: Whom Did She Marry?”; and Richard Spinney’s “Caveat Emptor” about the Maine 1800 census index on CD-ROM.

In addition, there is the first part of an original manuscript book transcribed in 1931 by town clerk Lester M. Bragdon, “Births of the Upper Parish in York.” This is a real find.

You may still join the Maine Genealogical Society for 2001, and receive all of this year’s quarterlies and newsletters. The first year’s membership is $27, while renewal is $20, sent to MGS, P.O. Box 221, Farmington, ME 04938.

Also, MGS has just put out its 37th special publication in 16 years, thanks to its partnership with Picton Press. It is the 768-page “Vital Records of Rockland, Maine,” edited by certified genealogist Marlene Groves, herself a columnist and editor of the MGS newsletter.

The cost is $60.60 to MGS members, $69.50 to non-members. Add 5 percent sales tax and $4 postage. Send payment to Picton Press, P.O. Box 250, Rockport, ME 04856; or telephone 236-6565. The Web site is www.pictonpress.com.

Lastly: a note about e-mails to Family Ties. We welcome correspondence, but ask you to send all information in the body of the e-mail. We are no longer opening attachments because of the viruses that hitch a ride on them.

3132. UPTON-PERLEY. Would like to correspond with family members of James S. and Mary (Perley) Upton. Children: Bernice; Thelma; June, md. Joseph Patterson or Peterson; J. Stewart. They lived in Bangor after 1920. Maine State Archives marriage index says June P. Upton md. Joseph F. Petterson April 19, 1927. Kathy Upton, P.O. Box 122, Cherryfield, ME 04622; or e-mail upton@midmaine.com.

3133. STEEVES-GIVEN. Would like to hear from descendants of Harry and Thressa (Given) Steeves of Saint John, New Brunswick, and Maine. Seeking names, dates, places and other info for update of this branch of family. Will share info. Roxanne Moore Saucier, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or e-mail familyti@bangordailynews.net.

3134. KIDDER. Seeking any information about Kidder families in Princeton and region between Calais and Houlton. My line is Clinton, Clinton, G. Sanford, Joseph, Calvin, Calvin, Joseph, Thomas, John, James. Am descended from Joseph Kidder, and there seem to be descendants of brother Calvin living in that area. Little info on older brother John. Interested in John’s five children by first wife. Kidder descendants will be interested in Kidder Family Web Page, by George Kidder, at www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1255/1255.htm. Betty Fredericks, 4 Mt. Pleasant St., Billerica, MA 01862; or e-mail BBFFRRPP@mediaone.net.

Send queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or send e-mail to familyti@bangordailynews.net.