Name: Elizabeth Bates
Born: About 1750 in South Carolina
Died: 4 Oct 1846 in Perry County, IL
Buried: McElvain Cemetery, St. Johns, IL
Married: about 1771 in Union County, SC
Children: Thomas, Anna, Elijah, Martha Ann, Sarah, Kiziah, Mary
Census: 1790 1800 1810 1830 1840
Elizabeth was born to Joseph Bates and Anna Schmidt. When she was around 12, she, her parents, and 3 brothers were working in the field. They were mounting their horse when they heard the war cries of Indians (probably Cherokee). Her mother begged her father and neighbor to run. The Indians captured Elizabeth, her mother, and 3 brothers. In camp some of the Indians brought in scalps. Elizabeth could tell by the hair color and the clothing that the scalps were that of her father and neighbor. Elizabeth's mother was pregnant at the time of her capture and her baby was born in captivity. The baby drowned when the family was fording a river. The family was with the Indians for about a year when they were ransomed. About 10 years later she married Lewis Wells. They lived around Greenville SC until about 1803 when they moved to Illinois. They found the land too hostile there due to Indian attacks and the moved to Christian County, KY. They lived in Christian County for about 10 years and then moved to Perry County, IL. Elizabeth died in Perry County on 4 Oct 1846. She is buried in McElvain Cemetery outside of St. Johns, IL. The cemetery is near where they farmed.