Emigrated to America in 1832. Sailed from Dublin April 1, 1832 with her five children (excluding Benjamin), arriving in Quebec May 23. May have been accompanied by her brother, first name unknown.

Enlisted in the English army Sept. 13, 1825, was a QM Sgt. in the 57th Infantry. Honorably discharged, settled in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where he married and had five children.149

Following is the text of a letter sent to Sarah Bates in regard to her son Benjamin who was a British soldier and was abroad at time rest of family came to America.

"Fralic Barriks, April 3, 18
In reply to your communication bearing date New London, Can., 22, Feb., 1853, I have to inform you that Benjamin Bates obtained his discharge from 57th regiment in Madras, East India in the year 1846 having by good conduct raised himself to the rank of Quarter Master Sargant, and was discharged on 2s/2d per and in consequence of his being married to a country-born woman preferred remaining abroad. I have been creditable informed through letters received from India that he left Madras and having saved 300 lbs. proceeded to the Island of Ceylon where he purchased a coffee plantation and shortly after died leaving wife and five children to lament his loss. Am unable to give further information relative to said Benjamin Bates.”150

Sarah and her family moved from CAN to the area around Lowell (then called Andover), NY. In 1840, Sarah, Ann, and George traveled west to Illinois via land and by a Great Lakes boat. Sarah and Ann remained in Illinois where they married, but George returned to Lowell where he married Saphronia Babcock, who died in Aug. 1851. He then married Almira Loomis. They farmed in Dix, NY, and cared for his mother, who died June 4, 1854.149

ln 1880 Federal Census, Sarah, 60, was living with her son, James A., in Filmore Co., Glengary Precinct, Nebraska, with Frank Sieber & a family from Bohemia. She filed for the homestead cancelled by her son, Jeremiah, on Nov. 26, 1872, and, after declaring her intent to become a citizen of the United States, received her deed Aug. 20, 1881. Homestead Certificate 4005, Application 6951. Although divorced, she listed herself as a widow on the census.

Sarah died at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Jennie and William Andrew Bratney, in Hastings, NE.

Marriage performed by the Rev. James Bailey, Episcopal Methodist. Witnesses: James Dickenson and William Needham.225