Bates, Joseph, 1792-1872

Mariner, reformer, Advent preacher, and one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Joseph Bates was born July 8, 1792 at Rochester, MA. He became a sailor at age 15 and retired as a captain in 1828 (the voyage on the Empress was his final one). During his seafaring years, he experienced shipwreck and imprisonment by the British Navy during the war of 1812. After retiring from the sea, he settled in Fairhaven, MA and dealt with local affairs and a variety of reforms, such as temperance and antislavery endeavors. In 1839, he became active in the Millerite Movement preaching and organizing conferences. By the mid 1840's he was one of the primary leaders, along with James and Ellen White in the embryonic Seventh-day Adventist Church. His energies and enthusiastic support were expended in church activities in the years to come as writer, preacher, and organizer. He moved from Fairhaven to Monterey, MI in 1858 and this continued to be his base of operation until he died in 1872.

From the description of [Journal of a voyage on the bark Empress of New Bedford] / kept by Captain Joseph Bates, August 9, 1827 - June 16, 1828. 1827-1828. (Saint James Parish Library). WorldCat record id: 33823117

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