William Bates (Quaker immigrant)
Encyclopedia
William Bates, or William Bate, (died November 8, 1700) was the first European settler of Oaklyn, New Jersey
. Bates was a devout Quaker who emigrated from Ireland
to West Jersey
to escape persecution for his religious beliefs. In 1782, William Bates and a small group of other Quakers established Newton Colony
along the banks of the middle branch of Newton Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River
, in Camden County, New Jersey
. All of the original colonists lived on the north bank, except for Bates who lived on the south bank in what is now Oaklyn. The descendants of William Bates lived on the original 250-acre farm for generations.
, Ireland
where he raised his family and worked as a carpenter.
Bates attended Quaker religious services which were held in the town of Wicklow
. On April 12, 1677, William Penn
conveyed one whole share of proprietary
in West Jersey to William Bates, carpenter, of the county of Wickloe, and four others. They were Joseph Slight, Thomas Thackara, Robert Turner, and Robert Zane, all of Dublin.
William Bates had five children: Jeremiah, Joseph, Abigail, William, and Sarah.
where they spent the winter in Fenwick's Colony, a fledgling settlement established in 1675 by Quakers led by John Fenwick
.
All of the children of William Bates married after they had emigrated to Newton Colony: Jeremiah wed Mary Spicer; Joseph married Mercy Clement in 1701; Abigail wed Joseph Frame in 1687; William reportedly married a Native American female; and Sarah wed Simeon Ellis in 1692. Jeremiah and Mary Bates had five children: Martha, who married George Ward in 1746, and, after he died, the Martha Ward who wed Robert Hunt in 1749; Abigail, who wed Thomas Thackara; Mary, Sarah, and William.
Oaklyn, New Jersey
Oaklyn is a Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,038.Oaklyn was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 13, 1905, from portions of Haddon Township.-Geography:Oaklyn is located at ...
. Bates was a devout Quaker who emigrated from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to West Jersey
West Jersey
West Jersey and East Jersey were two distinct parts of the Province of New Jersey. The political division existed for 28 years, between 1674 and 1702...
to escape persecution for his religious beliefs. In 1782, William Bates and a small group of other Quakers established Newton Colony
Newton Colony, New Jersey
Newton Colony was a region of southern New Jersey formed by European settlers in the 17th century. The area included what are now the towns of Camden, Haddon Township, Pennsauken Township, Haddonfield, and Collingswood....
along the banks of the middle branch of Newton Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
, in Camden County, New Jersey
Camden County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census the population of Camden County was 60.28% Non-Hispanic white, 18.45% Non-Hispanic black, 1.12% Hispanic blacks, 0.17% Non-Hispanic Native American, 0.15% Hispanic Native Americans, 5.07% Non-Hispanic Asian, and 0.14% non-Hispanics reporting some other race...
. All of the original colonists lived on the north bank, except for Bates who lived on the south bank in what is now Oaklyn. The descendants of William Bates lived on the original 250-acre farm for generations.
Ireland
In 1670, William Bates was a resident of County WicklowCounty Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
where he raised his family and worked as a carpenter.
Bates attended Quaker religious services which were held in the town of Wicklow
Wicklow
Wicklow) is the county town of County Wicklow in Ireland. Located south of Dublin on the east coast of the island, it has a population of 10,070 according to the 2006 census. The town is situated to the east of the N11 route between Dublin and Wexford. Wicklow is also connected to the rail...
. On April 12, 1677, William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
conveyed one whole share of proprietary
Proprietary colony
A proprietary colony was a colony in which one or more individuals, usually land owners, remaining subject to their parent state's sanctions, retained rights that are today regarded as the privilege of the state, and in all cases eventually became so....
in West Jersey to William Bates, carpenter, of the county of Wickloe, and four others. They were Joseph Slight, Thomas Thackara, Robert Turner, and Robert Zane, all of Dublin.
William Bates had five children: Jeremiah, Joseph, Abigail, William, and Sarah.
Newton Colony
William Bates, and a small group of adventurers, departed Ireland aboard Ye Owners' Adventure on September 19, 1681. On November 18, 1681, the voyagers landed at Salem, New JerseySalem, New Jersey
Salem is a city in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 5,146. It is the county seat of Salem County, the most rural county in the state of New Jersey. The name Salem is related to the Hebrew word shalom, meaning "peace".The town and...
where they spent the winter in Fenwick's Colony, a fledgling settlement established in 1675 by Quakers led by John Fenwick
John Fenwick (Quaker)
John Fenwick founded the first English settlement in West Jersey. In 1675, John Fenwick led a group of English Quakers who emigrated to Salem, New Jersey to escape persecution for their religious beliefs.-Personal life:...
.
All of the children of William Bates married after they had emigrated to Newton Colony: Jeremiah wed Mary Spicer; Joseph married Mercy Clement in 1701; Abigail wed Joseph Frame in 1687; William reportedly married a Native American female; and Sarah wed Simeon Ellis in 1692. Jeremiah and Mary Bates had five children: Martha, who married George Ward in 1746, and, after he died, the Martha Ward who wed Robert Hunt in 1749; Abigail, who wed Thomas Thackara; Mary, Sarah, and William.