Remembering Josiah David Bates

On September 13, 1879, my 4th great grandfather, Josiah David Bates, died of Consumption* (Tuberculosis). Josiah was born about 1801 to his mother, Tabitha, and a father whose name is yet unknown. He was born in Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts and, except for possibly a short time in Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts as a young man, he lived out his life in Pittsfield.

Josiah married Elizabeth Freeman and on New Year’s Day, 1824, she gave birth to their first son, Seymore (my 3rd great grandfather). Their second son, Ezekiel, was born about 1834. In 1860, Josiah was listed in the U.S. Census as a carpenter.

*Source Citation: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Non-population Census Schedules for Massachusetts, 1850-1880 (T1204); Archive Collection: T1204; Archive Roll Number: 37; Census Year: 1880; Census Location: Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Line: 15.