Last updated: February 25, 2022
Person
Europe Bates
Antoinette Harrell
Quick Facts
Significance:
Black homesteader in Mississippi
Place of Birth:
Amite County, Mississippi
Date of Birth:
c. 1834
Place of Death:
Amite County, Mississippi
Date of Death:
1910
Place of Burial:
Amite County, Mississippi
Cemetery Name:
Bates Cemetery
Europe Bates was born enslaved in Amite County, Mississippi c. 1834. Both of his parents were also born in Mississippi. Europe was married twice; his first wife was Violy (Vicie) Allen.
According to the 1870 and 1880 United States Federal Census, Europe and Vicie were the parents of Sallie, Ellen, Susan, and Howell Bates. After the passing of Vicie in 1893, Europe married Eliza Jackson Bates in 1894. According the 1900 United States Federal Census, Europe and Eliza were still living in Beat 5, Amite, Mississippi, with Eliza’s children and two of Europe’s grandchildren. He owned his home and farm. He died in 1910 in Amite County, Mississippi and is buried in the Bates Cemetery there.
Europe Bates submitted application #3582 at the Land Office in Jackson, Mississippi on November 19, 1869 for 165.64 acres of land. This entry was submitted under the provision of the Act of Congress approved in 1866 for “Homestead Settlements in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas and Florida”. He signed his (x) solemnly swearing that he was the head of his family, over the age of twenty-one and, a citizen of the United States.
Abraham Taylor and Adam Harness were witnesses to Bates' homestead claim, and attested that they had known Europe Bates for fifteen years (Adam Harness and his brother Esau were also homesteaders in the area). After meeting all the requirements to prove up, Europe submitted his final proof on October 2, 1876.He cleared fifty-five acres of the 165.42 acres. His improvements included one dwelling, one corn crib, a cotton house, shop, kitchen and, two small cabins. He was issued patent #937 for 165.64 acres of land on Sept 15, 1883 in Amite County, Mississippi.
In 1887 and 1888, Europe Bates was appointed as an inspector overseeing elections those two years for Tickfaw Precinct.The Europe Bates School for African American children opened its doors in the late 1800s and was named after Europe Bates. His family donated the land for the school. The Bates were a prominent family in Amite County and, the school later became a Rosenwald School.
Contributor: Dr. Antoinette Harrell
The homestead history was contributed by Dr. Antoinette Harrell. She is the 3rd great granddaughter of Rebecca Ann Bates of Amite County, Mississippi. Much of the land that belongs to the Bates family in Amite County, Mississippi remains in their possession to this day.
Dr. Antoinette Harrell is a renowned genealogist and local historian with an emphasis in African American history in Tangipahoa & St. Helena, Louisiana Parishes and Amite County, Mississippi. For the past twenty years, she had researched the subject of peonage and modern-day slavery in sixteen states. Her peonage research was featured on VICE. Dr. Harrell is the producer of Nurturing Our Root Genealogy Educational Talk Show. She was appointed as Honorary Attorney General for her dedicated commitment in documenting the study of genealogy in 2003 in the State of Louisiana. Her research has been featured in many media publications, TV News, and radio programs nationally and internationally, including People Magazine. Dr. Harrell received the Living Legacy ASALH Award in 2014 for documentary film productions. She is a community activist and organizer in Louisiana.
Patent Details - BLM GLO Records