George James Bates (1844 - 1913)

Born 1844 in Steyning, Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Martha Ann (Murray) Bates — married 19 Apr 1866 (to 18 May 1898) in Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia

Husband of Mary (Hirst) Bates — married 15 Oct 1902 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Descendants

Died 20 Dec 1913 at about age 69 in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia

Biography

George Bates came free to the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

George James was born to Ephraim Bates, farmer, and Sarah Bates in England, 1844. ^[1] The family migrated to Australia in 1858 on the ship Melbourne when George was 14 years old, ^{[2] [3]}taking up residence on Kangaroo Island, first at Cygnet River, where his father worked at the sawmills. His father then tried his luck at the Victorian goldfields, but returned to Kangaroo Island to buy a good parcel of farming land at Hog Bay.^[4]

In 1866, aged 20, George married Martha Ann Murray at Bible Christian Chapel, Yankalilla. ^[5] Sadly, Martha died in May 1898, having borne twelve children.

George took an interest in local affairs and was elected to the Kangaroo Island Council in 1888, one of five men who were the first to be elected to Council. A previous Council had been appointed by the government ^[6]

George married Mary HIRST on 15 Oct, 1902 in Adelaide, South Australia. She was born ABT 1848 and died 24 Jul 1931 in Adelaide.

In 1908 the Kangaroo Island Courier recorded that George Had been suffering from erysipelas and had a leg removed. ^[7]

He passed away on 20 December 1913 at Kingscote. ^{[8] [9]} He is buried at the Kingscote Cemetery ^[10]

• OBITUARY.

The death of Mr George James Bates, which occurred at his residence, Kingscote, on Saturday evening last, at the age of 70 years, from diabetes, removes another of Kangaroo Island's old pioneers. About four years ago a slight injury to a leg resulted in blood poisoning and Mr. Bates had to journey to Adelaide to undergo an operation for the removal of the limb, and but a short time later lost the sight of both eyes. Since that time, with the exception of one attack a few months ago, the health of the deceased gave no serious cause for alarm, and just prior to his demise appeared in his usual spirits, but suddenly he fell back in his chair and before assistance could be rendered had expired. Mr Bates who was born at Brighton, England, in 1843, was the eldest son of the late Ephriam Bates, of Hog Bay, of Hog Bay, and landed with his parents on Kangaroo Island in 1861. For some time he was engaged in farming operations in the Dudley district, and later he took up up land on this end of the Island which he held until a few years ago, when ill-health compelled him to retire. The remains were interred in the Kingscote Cemetery on Sunday last, when a number of sorrowing relatives and friends gathered at the graveside. The burial service was read by Mr V. H. F. Cook, and Messrs Cook Bros, had charge of the funeral arrangements. He leaves a widow and grown-up family to mourn his loss. ^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ George James Bates was born Jul-Aug-Sep 1844 in Steyning, Sussex, England, Volume 7-Page 433-Line Number 5, Source: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26BS-H4F
2. ↑ The ship Melbourne, 1,170 tons, Captain W. Brodie, from Liverpool 4th September 1858, arrived at Port Adelaide, South Australia 6th December 1858 http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/melbourne1858.shtml
3. ↑ The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889) Tue 7 Dec 1858 Page 2 SHIPPING NEWS http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/786260
4. ↑ Mr. E. S. Bates, sen. (1908, June 27). Observer (Adelaide, South Australia, Australia : 1905 - 1931), p. 38. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164110419
5. ↑ Marriage certificate Book/Page reference – 67/76 https://www.genealogysa.org.au
6. ↑ Kangaroo Island Past and Present by the K.I. Country Women's Association, c.1955 Page 9.
7. ↑ Suffering from erysipelas - leg removed. MR G. J. BATES. (1908, May 9). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, South Australia, Australia : 1907 - 1951), p. 5.
8. ↑ http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189510238 The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951) Sat 27 Dec 1913 Page 4
9. ↑ Death certificate Book/Page reference – 381/37 genealogysa.org.au
10. ↑ http://www.ozburials.com/CemsSA/kingscote.htm
11. ↑ Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), Saturday 27 December 1913, page 4

• 1851 England Census: Age 6 residing Lewis Road, Preston, Sussex, England with parents Ephraim (26), Martha (30) and siblings Joseph H (4), Sarah M (3) Emma S (1) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG83-Q58

• "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26BS-H4F : 1 October 2014), George James Bates, 1844; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Steyning, Sussex, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.