The maternal ancestry included the name of Foote, notable in New England annals, and of Martin, borne by several officers of high rank in the English navy.

Many of her earlier years were passed enjoying herself in various European capitals, in strong contrast with the severity of her early training, an experience which served to broaden and strengthen her intellectual grasp.

In Dresden, on March 28, 1866, she married Joseph William Bates, of Portsmouth,[5] a leading merchant of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She was in sympathy with Dr. Coues' published views on the religious and social questions of the day, and her inspiration of one of his books is recognized in its dedication to his wife.

Though at heart a deeply religious woman, Coues did not find church communion necessary to her own spiritual aspirations.

Among her dominant traits were a strong, intuitive sense of justice, a quick sympathy for all who suffered wrongs and a never-failing indignation at all forms of conventional hypocrisy, intellectual repression and spiritual tyranny.