Private Thomas Bates (1772....1836)

Back to . . . The New South Wales Corps. ( Rum Corps. ) "Renamed 102nd Regiment

Descendants

Informaion supplied by the people listed below

Paul Judd Email address ctpjudd@ozemail.com.au

Susan Green Email address greens@nss.aunz.net

Bill Woods E-mail plerdsus@hotmail.com

Ray Bates rmjb@paradise.net.nz

Harris Family nicharkel@optusnet.com.au 

Area Settled :

Sydney

Children :

1 . Lydia Bates (b.9/5/1806 ......d.April 6th, 1867) married John Stewart (bMay 23rd, 1802 Tipperary, Ireland and died December 21st 1877..)Both are buried in a beautifully preserved grave in Camperdown cemetery

2 . Maria Bates (b.14/12/1808.Tasmania.....d)

3 . William Bates (b.2/9/1812....d.)

4 . James Bates (b.26/9/1814......d.)

5 . Ann Bates (b.2/5/1817.....d.)

6 . Nathaniel Bates (b.24/5/1823....d.)

History & Achievements :

It is believed that Thomas arrived in Australia as a convict not as a soldier. He stole some boots there in 1788. and recieved 7 years transportation . Thomas sailed from England with 100 members of the 102nd Corps on the infamous 2nd Fleet, carying convicts to NSW. He was on the boat on what proved to be the worst "hell Ship" ever to come to Australia The " Neptune" under the notorious Captain Donald Triall. The convicts were so badly treated that 147 men and 11 women died during the voyage.In the last days of June 1790, the first three ships of the second Fleet, reached Sydney .Thomas Bates served with with Lieutenant Colonel Patterson . . Lieutenant Colonel Paterson arrived at Port Dalrymple aboard the 'Buffalo' on 4 November 1804 in the company of the 'Integrity', 'Lady Nelson' and the 'Francis'. Sixty-four soldiers accompanied the expedition which was made up of free settlers and 74 prisoners.

The following information was kindly supplied by. Susan Green Email address greens@nss.aunz.net

At the age of 17, Thomas decided to enlist to becomes a solider. There was a large army Barracks at

Chatham, and there he enlisted and became a private he was described as being 5 foot, 5i nches tall, of dark complexion, light brown hair, a round face and grey eyes.We don't know why his decision to enlist in the army came about however after a year of training ,

Thomas served also at Norfolk Island and Hobart Town.Thomas was 28 when he married Ann Griffin on

12th May 1800 at their home in Sydney. Lydia Bates was baptised on Christmas Day, 1806 at St Philips Church. Not long after the the birth of Lydia Thomas was transferred with a contingent to Port Darylmple, Van Diemans Land. (Tasmania) Here they spent two years and conditions were bleak. The port had been just through a time of severe food shortages. People were surving on a diet of Kangaroo and emu meat.It was here that Ann gave birth to Maria on the 14th December, 1808. Also in December Thomas received Notification to return to Sydney.

They elected to stay in the colony, probably as Ann's family were here. At his discharge in 1809 he

received a lease of 13 and a half rods of land in Back Row on the Shores of Cockle Bay ( Back row became Sussex Street & Cockle Bay became Darling Harbour). Here he set about establishing himself as a boat builder. The Bates land had right of way down to the waters edge, which was know as Bates lane.William the first born son to Thomas and Ann arrived on the 2nd September, 1812 at their Sussex Street home. He was followed by James on the 26th September , 1814. Ann on 2nd May , 1817 and Nathaniel was born on 24 the May ,1823.some time during the years of his children's birth, Thomas's business prospered and he bought land in other parts of the colony, including 80 acres at Gordon and 60 acres at Hunters Hill. On the first of March 1825 his oldest child Lydia married John Stewart ,a shoe maker. In 1828 census, Thomas and Ann were still living in Sussex St, in what must have been quite a substantial dwelling, as besides themselves and seven children they also had a lodger. They also owned 3 horses and 7 cattle.

Thomas Bates died on 17th December 1836 at the age of 64 years. He was buried at the Old Devonshire Street Burial Grounds Plot 31. ik

His Tomb Stone reads: _-

Sacred to the memory of -

Mr Thomas Bates -Late 102nd Regt. foot

who departed this life 17 Dec 1836 -aged 64 years

He was a faithful man- and feared god above many-:

WO 97/1069/9 THOMAS BATES Born CHATHAM, Kent Served in 100th Foot Regiment Discharged   1789-1818

References

Family members Military records  ,Pay rolls, Pay Musters, Cemetery Records, Church Records & General Muster Records, Mitchell Library ,Sydney Australia

The information is intended for short Historical value only,

E- mail address

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