James Bates Society Namesake

James Alexandar Bates (DAR No. A007457) was born on December 1, 1760, in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He was the son of William Bates and Margaret Young, the daughter of Robert Young. James and his father, William, were both Revolutionary War Soldiers.

James Bates joined the Revolution in Prince Edward County where he resided. He assisted in establishing American Independence while serving in the capacity of a soldier. James Bates served for three years in the Virginia Line Troops for Continental Establishment. This is recorded in the Roster of Soldiers and Patriots of the American Revoluation Buried in Tennessee, page 10(1). He is also listed in a Manuscript Volume in the Virginia State Library at Richmond. This volume, known as War 4, lists on page 100 soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment who received certificates for the balance of their full pay agreeable to an Act of Assembly passed at the November Session, 1781. This reference shows that James Bates received two certificates on August 18, 1783; one for the sum of 17 pounds and the other for the sum of 49 pounds, 10 shillings, and 10 sixpence.

James Bates married Mary Murphy on November 25, 1786. Mary was born November 3, 1768 and was the daughter of E. Murphy. E. Murphy was also a Revolutionary War Soldier. James Bates died at Cades Cove, near Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1814. He is the fourth paternal great grandfather of six of the members of the organizing James Bates Society. In July 1966, two of these descendants, Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Nisbet, visited Cades Cove. Cades Cove is now in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

(1) Roster of Soldiers and Patriots of the American Revolution. Buried in Tennessee, page 10: "Bates, James Alexander(born 12-01-1760 Prince Edward County, Virginia died/1814 Knox County) Served more than 3 years in Va Cont. Line".

(2) A List of Soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment who have received Certificates for the balance of there [sic] full pay Agreeable to an Act of Assembly passed November Session 1781

The James Bates Society was organized in November, 1967 by Mrs. Kate Parker of Tejas Chapter, DAR and named for her ancestor, James Bates. The Society was reactivated in 1981 with six members and grew to 23 members by 1995. In 1987 the Society purchased six live oak trees for which were planted at Katy Park with proceeds from recycled newspapers. Tejas Chapter presented James Bates Society with a Society flag in 1992 which has been proudly displayed at each subsequent State Conference. In 1992 the Society celebrated its 25th anniversary on the grounds of San Jacinto Battlefield with a reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto, using marshmallows as ammunition. James Bates Society has won numerous awards at the State and Regional level, including the State Merit Award in 1992. James Bates Society members have participated enthusiastically in every State Conference, State Workshop, and Regional Conference. In 1993 the Society was recognized for its large contribution to the National Project, earned from selling voices for a U.S. flag kit. The Society has had at least one member serving as State Officer on every State Board since 1988. Mrs. L. Steven Young (Lynn Forney Young) served as Senior State President 1987-1989 and Senior National Vice President - South Central Division 1989-1991. Her daughter, Lindsey Smith, served as State President 1994-1995 during the Centennial of the National Society, Vice President for the South Central Region in 1995-1996 and National Treasurer for 1996-1997. Lindsey received the Outstanding C.A.R. Member from the Texas Society, DAR in 1995. The Society became a joint Commemorative Community with its sponsoring DAR Chapter in 1993 to honor the 50th anniversary of World War II. Tejas Chapter member Sally Patterson designed and counted cross stitch kit of campaign medals and James Bates Society members donated the prototype of the kit to the Veterans Hospital in Houston. Members also honored the veterans of World War II with certificates of appreciation in December, 1994. Rebecca Grawl served as State Chairman of the 50th Anniversary of World War II and presented Certificates of Appreciation to the many World War II veterans attending the State Conference in 1995. From 1995 to present day, James Bates Society members and leadership have remained active in numerous local, state, and national activities. Currently, Caroline and Catherine Jackson hold two national leadership roles respectively.

James Bates Society Founders