Jackson Ezekiel Bates is the twelfth of Gil and Kelly Bates' nineteen children. He is married to Emerson Wells.

Jackson Ezekiel Bates was born on February 17, 2002, to Gil Bates and Kelly Jo Callaham. He was the couple's twelfth child, and they went on to have seven more children after him.

Jackson is currently homeschooled. He is being brought up as an active participant of the Institute in Basic Life Principles.

Jackson makes up the "Three Musketeers" with his brothers Warden and Isaiah. The three love going on wild adventures. His favorite subject is history and he loves to read. He is said to be a very wise and creative child. He is a great artist, and his favorite subject to draw is military planes and tanks.[1]

On September 5, 2018, Jackson gave his life to the Lord when he was 8 years old.

Jackson and Emerson in July 2022

Jackson met Emerson in March 2022 at a rodeo in Florida, where they were introduced by mutual friends. They exchanged numbers and started talking. On April 23, Emerson's birthday, Jackson took her on a picnic date at sunset, which he says was his first date ever, and there he asked her to be his girlfriend.

On July 16, 2022, Jackson announced he was in a relationship with Emerson Wells. [2]

Jackson's proposal

On March 11, 2023, Jackson announced via his Instagram that he was engaged to Emerson.[3] The engagement had taken place the day before, on March 10, 2023.[4]There engagement took place at Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park, Florida

Jackson and Emerson on their wedding day

Jackson married Emerson Wells on October 14, 2023at the Bramble Tree Estates in Sorrento, Florida. The ceremony was officiated by both Gil Bates and Jono Contestabile, Emerson's brother-in-law. The reception was catered by Smoke on the Mountain Caterers, with dessert provided by a Ritter's frozen custard truck.[5]

On March 24, 2025, It was revealed that Emerson and Jackson were expecting their first child, a boy due in June of that year.

Jackson on 18 Kids and Counting

Jackson used to work construction with Jason Duggar.

Jackson currently rebuilds boat docks in Florida.

Jackson appeared on the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting many times as a child. In 2012, TLC aired one season of the show United Bates of America, which focused on Jackson's family. In 2015, UpTV began airing a similar show, Bringing Up Bates, which ended after 10 seasons. Jackson was regularly featured in both shows.

Jackson has been involved in the following weddings:

• groomsman: his brother Zach Bates's wedding to Whitney Perkins (12/14/13)[6]

• usher: his sister Carlin Bates's wedding to Evan Stewart (5/25/19) [7]

• usher: his friend Justin Duggar's wedding to Claire Spivey (2/26/21)

• groomsman: his brother Lawson Bates's wedding to Tiffany Espensen (5/12/22)

• best man: his brother Trace Bates's wedding to Lydia Romeike (10/1/22)

• groomsman: his friend Nathanael Wissmann's wedding to Katrina Sahlstrom (10/15/22)[8]

• groomsman: his friend Jason Duggar's wedding to Maddie Jones (10/3/24)[9]

profile photo credit

1. https://thebatesfamily.com/about-family/

2. https://www.instagram.com/p/CgFgkIAv-Es/

3. https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqG_mYvnl2/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

4. https://imgur.com/a/rg6lW7p

5. https://people.com/bringing-up-bates-jackson-bates-marries-emerson-wells-8358154

6. https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/01/zach-whits-wedding-ceremony/

7. http://www.carlinandevan.wedding/#the-wedding

8. https://www.instagram.com/p/CoN0MIHprkb/

9. https://imgur.com/a/dbiwBMM