Thomas Yates was born in 1740/41 in England according to the book Revolutionary Patriots of Baltimoretown 1775-1783 by Henry C. Peden Jr.

However, Fothergill's book Emigrants from England 1773-1776 state that Thomas Yates, age 23 sailed from London in April of 1774 on the ship Adventurer to Maryland on business. Tepper used the same material for his book Passengers to America. Tepper states that Thomas Yates, age 23, a linen draper sailed from London between April 19-26 1774 on ship Adventurer going on business. Later, upon his death the newspaper stated his age to be such that he would have been born in 1751. I believe the 1751 date is closest to the truth.

• Henry Peden continues the biography of Thomas Yates, Revolutionary Patriot, with this:
  'Thomas Yates was 1^st Lieutenant, 2^nd Battalion, Flying Camp (Baltimore County) from July 19, 1776 to August 5, 1776, when he became captain upon the resignation of John Stevenson …. Sources state he resigned on May 20, 1777, at which time he was Caption in the 4^th MD Regiment; however, he was active again by September 25, 1780, militarily. He also took the oath of allegiance in 1778 before the Honorable George Lindenberger, and signed a letter to Governor Lee on April 4, 1781, requesting the calling of the militia to protect Baltimore against British attack. As a member of Capt. Nicholas Ruxton Moore's Troops on June 25, 1781 he is listed as "Major T. Yates" and he had one 8-year-old black gelding horse and one 7-year-old bay stallion. Thomas Yates was also Captain of Baltimore County Regiment No. 46, 1776-1777, but names of his men were not listed". References to all this data are in the book but I do not have the code.

  Thomas Yates was listed as a taxable in St. Paul's Parish in both 1774 and 1786.

  Thomas Yates married Mary Myers on August 27, 1778. They had at least two children:

• 1. Margaret Yates, born about 1780, she wed Jacob Walsh in 1802.

• 2. Charles Yates, born 1789, died 1810.

  The name of Charles Yates was found in the newspaper The Baltimore Federal Gazette. It reported on July 14, 1810 that Charles Yates, son of major Thomas Yates of Baltimore, died yesterday at the residence of Samuel Chase, Jr., in his 21^st year. He had recently returned from the West Indies.

  The Peden biography lists another child, Margaret Yates. No other children are known, but 9 years is a long time for a couple to be childless.

Beginning in 1781, there are numerous sales of property lots by Thomas Yates.  From Baltimore Deed Book W.G. Gook G. , pages 256- 260 is described an indenture entered into by Thomas Yates and Jacob Myers, gentlemen. It was witnessed by Charles Myers They rented 16 acres in Mountenays Neck - on the east side of Jones Falls next to; the current Patterson Park.; It would seem that it was then divided into lots which Thomas Yates sold over the next 3 - 5 years.  Exactly how that worked I do not know.  But there are numerous sales of Lots by Thomas Yates during the 1780s.

The Maryland Archive's Index #59 contains a number of legal notices where Thomas Yates was listed as an auctioneer. Perhaps this related to the sale of the property.

• Mary Myers Yates died at Springfield near Baltimore in Dec. 1796. The Baltimore Federal Gazette reported on Dec. 14, 1796 " Mrs. Mary Yates, died Monday evening at Springfield, near Baltimore, aged 37; consort of Colonel Thomas Yates"

• Thomas Yates remarried a Few years later. The Baltimore T(ribune or Times) reported Feb. 8, 1799 "Col. Thomas Yates and Mrs. Mary Atkinson, both of Baltimore were wed last evening by Rev. Ireland".
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• Both of his weddings are noted in Marriage Records 1771-1799 Baltimore City Court House Md.
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• His Second wife died in just a few years. The Baltimore Federal Gazette reported Jan 20, 1802 "Mrs. Yates, consort of Thomas Yates of Baltimore died".
• The Census' are not of great help. 1790 and 1800 only a “John Yates” is listed in Baltimoretown. Then in 1810 Census Baltimore Ward 7 there is a Thomas Yates of the right age, 5 woman and 4 free others.
•        Female under 10 - 1
•        Female 10-15 - 1
•        Females 16-25 - 2
•        Female 26-44 - 1

                                  plus Free others - 4

•                             I have no idea at this time who those Females and Others might be. Perhaps the City Directory will be helpful.
                              Thomas Yates carried on for twelve more years. The Baltimore Federal Gazette reported on Nov. 17, 1815
                              Major  Thomas Yates, died last evening in his 64^th year; an officer  in the Revolutionary Army."

I believe it very likely that he is buried in the Old St. Paul's Cemetery. There is a tomb there, listed on Find A Grave for “Joseph Yates, in his 60^th year, died Nov. 18, 1815”.  I have not seen the grave stone, so don't know whether it was a guess on the first name, or was Joseph another of his names.

 

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

1. Get complete list of children

2. Who were his parents?

3. confirm birth in England.

4. Check early Baltimore directories for further information.

5. Go to Old Saint Paul's cemetery and study the tombstones.
   

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Doc; gwyat020.html
Date created;  2/5/2007
Date Edited 4/12/2017
Date edited 9/10/2020
Date edited 12/22/2022
Date edited 5/7/2023


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