PAINE Faivlil Y RECORDS

PAINE FAivlIL Y RECORDS: .A Journal of Genealogical and Biographical informa tion respecting the .American Families of Payne, Paine, Payn, &c. El.JITED lH' H. D. PAlI\E, JL D. VOLU~lE l. ~ E\\' Y OH.K. 1880. PAINE GENEALOGY. PREFACE. The main purpose of this publication, as may be inferred from its title, is to promote the collection and ensure the preservation of the genealo~cal and per sonal records of the American family whose name it bears, and in whose interest it is undertaken. This object it proposes to accomplish by the publication in a series of numbers, of such authentic information relating to the origin of the Payne family (including aJ1 its branches and forms of orthography) as has been already obtained, or may be contributed towards the completion of the family chronicles. In the revival of genealogical and biographical research that constitutes so evi dent a feature of the literary activity of our time, the interests of this family in jts ancestry have not been entirely overlooked. Indeed much has been done to elucidate its origin and early history on this continent by a number of earnest and painstaking collectors and investigators, during the last few years. Many rare ~d curious records, illustrative of the lives and characters of its honored founders, and of many of their worthy descendants, have been brought to light, and by filial care rescued from funher danger of destruction or loss. Some progress has been made in arranging the facts relating to particular lines of descent in their proper order, according to a regular genealogical scbeine. ' But these valued relics and memorials of ancestral history, exist in manu script form unknown except to their possessors, or are scattered thn:>Ugh numerous publications, and practically inaccessible to the majority of those who would be -most interested in them. Besides the impartant particulars that have been thus -happily preserved, and to some extent made available, there is undoubtedly a mass of similar material yet hidden away in unexplored and perhaps unsuspected repositories, which if once recovered would solve many doubtful questions of identity or pedigree, supply many missing links in the chain of descent, and genera1ly add much to the follneas and value of our present available information. · To assist in gathering up these family relics and ancestral remains, for the in formation of the living generations, and for the benefit of future historians of the u House," is the special office of this serial. If it should also contribute to the 2 Pref4ce. · cultivation of a spirit of reverent regard for the memory and virtues of our fore fathers, and strengthen the sentiment of kinship and brotherhood among their widely dispersed descendants, another desirable object will be promoted. The plan and general character of the work will be sufficiently understood from an examination of the present number. The correspondents, whose valuable monographs fill so large a space in its pages, will continue their contributions in future numbers. Equally interesting and instructive papers relating to other branches of the Paine family have been received and promised; and it is hoped that all who have information of a similar sort in their possession, or within their reach, will be incited by such examples to add it to the common store. It is desired that personal history and biography should receive a larger share of attention in future numbers, and contributions of materials for that department are solicited. The appearance of this initial number of the ••Records" has been delayed much beyond the promise of its prospectus, by various causes, but chiefly from the tardi ness with which subscriptions have been received. It seemed unwise to the pub lisher to commence the work without a reasonable assurance of a cordial reception. Although such responses to the extensively distributed circular are still considerably sho.rt of what was anticipated, it has been thought advisable to go on with the pub lication in the hope that with its actual appearance a wider interest in its success will be aroused and a corresponding increase of orders. Subscribers who have not already remitted, will please do so on receipt of this number. Materials for the next two or more numbers are in such a state of forwardness as to ensure their publication at regular quarterly intervals. The second number will be issued on the first of January, 1879. I . THE PAINE FAMILY RECORDS will be issued in quarterly numbers of at least twenty-four octavo pages each, at the subscription price of ONE DOLLAR a year (four numbers), in advance. The typographical department will be entrusted to Mr. Munsell, the well known genealogical and antiquarian publisher of Albany, whose acknowledged taste and judgment in such matters are a guaranty for its proper execution. As pecuniary profit is not the motive of the undertaking, the hope is indulged that the subscriptions, e\•en at the nominal rate proposed, will suffice to cover at least the expenses of publication. Any who may be disposed td contribute to its success and permanency, may do so most effectively by ordering a number of copies, and also by sending in the names and addresses of other parties likely to be interested, to whom circulars will be forwarded. Orders and communications should be addressed to HENRY D. PAINE, M.D., :z6 WEST 30th STREET, NEW You C1TY, Paine Genealogy. 3 THE PAINE FAMILY REGISTER was a small quarterly journal published by the writer, about twenty yean ago, at Albany, N. Y., and intended, like the present essay, to assist in elucidating the genealogy, history and traditions of his family. The series of eight numbers to which it was extended, comprised a large amount of interesting and generally unfamiliar information which was highly appreciated by those for whose benefit it was designed. · Circumstances of a personal nature obliged the editor reluctantly to discontinue the publication of the mag;izine, while yet the supply of material wu abundant and still accumulating. It was not intended at the time, however, that the sus pension should .be permanent, but that it would be revived and continued after a brief interruption. Unfortunately, various causes have hitherto rendered it inconvenient to carry out that intention; and so long an interval has now elapsed that its resuscitation, at least as a continuation of the same series, would be obviously inexpedient. Those numbers are now virtually out of print, and can no longer be supplied to new subscribers, while to reprint them, as has been suggested and even urged, would involve such a sifting and rearrangement of their contents, rendered necessary by later discoveries of more full and exact information in some cases as would almost amount to a reconstruction. For these anclother reasons, it has been deemed expedient to take a new depart ure in the t,resent instance, and to establish the "Paine Family Records" as an entirely independent affair. Although inspired by the same motives and appearing under the same direction as its predecessor, it is believed that it will thus more satisfactorily and completely fulfil the object of its existence. All the material facts contained in the Register will be reproduced in the Ruords as they may be required, and in such connection as will most clearly and forcibly illustrate the annals of the family history. \ INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. Representatives of the Payne family, under one or other of its orthographic varieties; Payne, Paine, Payn, etc., are to be found in every state and territory of the Union; .though the name is far from being common in any part of the country. · It appears to be most frequent in New England and in the regions colonized by emigration from the Eastern States. Of those states, Rhode Island and Massachusetts include a larger proportion, numerically, of our congeners than any others. · . From that prolific region, descendants of the first founders of our race have gradually spread themselves throughout the northern and western states. Nearly all the older lines of northern Paines are derived from the New England stock:. The Paynes of the southern states are for the most part derived from. early Virginia planters, some of whom were among the first adventurers who attempted a settlement on those shores. Authentic and connected details reg,irding the early lineage of a few Virginia families of this name, have been obtained, and wil I be included in future numbers of the Ruords. It can hardly be doubted that there are in existence documentary remains that would elucidate the essential points of their genealogical succession, even from the earliest emigration, and who~ re covery would greatly enrich the history of the family in America, Paine Genealogy. Several branches of the Nc:w England stock have: been studied with considera ble 111cceu, and the: results have been partially made: accessible to those interested by means of the N. B. Histori,a/' tmd Gtntalogital Reguter, Tb11Jtrs FllmilJ Memori4/, tbt Paint FamilJ Rtguttr, Sa'flagt's Gmealogital Dktionary, and other publications. _ The: family surname is variously spelled. In this country, the: principal varia tions are PaJ11t, P11i11e and P11y11, of which Paine appears to predominate in the north, while Payne is generally affected at the: south, as in England, from which our race as well as our patronymic: is immc:diatc:ly derived. "It may be doubted if either form can lay claim to superior authority either from aerivation, orusage. ·Our ancestors do not appear ·to have been punctilious in their orthography, even in regard to their own proper names. Examples of early important and formal documents lire not uncommon in which this name is written in two or ·three different· ways in the: same instrument, and evidently refer ring to the same person.

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