Oliver Bates Revolutionary War Service

In a letter written to Mrs. Wirt G. Faust on April 12, 1932:

"Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Oliver Bates, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.44.598, based upon the military service of Oliver Bates in that war.

Oliver Bates enlisted in the state of Massachusetts, July 1, 1778 [may have lied about his age - he was born August 7, 1763], served as a private in Captain Pritchard's Company, Colonel John Grayton's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged April 7, 1779. He enlisted July 1, 1780, served as a private in Captain William Taylor's Company, in the Second Massachusetts Regiment, then commanded by Colonel Bedlaw's [?], and was discharged January 1, 1781.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 25, 1818, at which time he was aged fifty-five years and resided in Jefferson County, New York.

In 1820, he was residing in Henderson, Jefferson County, New York, and at that time referred to his wife, Rebecca, as aged fifty-eight years but did not give her maiden name or the date of their marriage, and to the daughters residing with him, but did not give their names or ages, and there are no further data as to his family.

He died June 8, 1828.

The above is the history of the only soldier named Oliver Bates found on the Revolutionary War records of this office."

Contributed by Bonnie Johnson

The above also follows information from other descendants, including Betty Heil (as interviewed by David Salter).