From The Bates Centennial Farm of Rockton, Ill. 1857-11990 by C.C. Bates PhD He and wife Jemima had 8 children between 1735 and 1751. His father who had died one year before his marriage left him the 380 acre home farm to be split equally between he and his brother William.. He died at the age of 40 leaving his pregnant wife and 8 children, the eldest 15 years of age. Fortunately he had 3 older brothers and two older sisters who helped his surviving family. The family managed to hold together till marriageable age. -----------------------------------------------------------------