Amy Bates (maiden name: Day) was born around 1810 in Smithfield, Rhode Island. She married Reuben H. N. Bates, and they had at least five children: Albert, born on November 30, 1835; Lewis, born around 1840; Leprilet, born around 1842; Susan, born around 1849; and Walter, born around 1856. They lived in Providence, Rhode Island, and her husband worked as a pattern maker. By 1860, they owned $5,000 of real estate and $500 of personal property. A decade later, they owned $2,500 of real estate and $1,000 of personal property. He died in Rhode Island on September 6, 1887.