I would like to confirm what Nola stated. In addition Itawamba County has a detailed biography of Judge Bates published in one of their early historical journals. Also, all of the Martin Bates law firm documents are part of the noncirculating special collections at the Mississippi State University Library. I have also seen many legal documents with Judge Bates signature on it from his work as an attorney in Chickasaw County.

There is much on Judge Bates on record.