Bateman was born in London, and was dealing in silk when he married Mary Ann Benningfield in 1824.

They had nine children including three sons who emigrated with Bateman and his wife to the new Swan River Colony in Western Australia in 1830.

They bought a plot in Fremantle in the second tranche of land made available by the Governor of Western Australia.

These ships were involved in a very successful business and they would use Fremantle as a place to rest and gather stores.

[2] Together with Daniel Scott, Bateman invested in the Fremantle Whaling Company, which was based at Bathers Beach.