William Payne, Jr.

Notes:

"He was five feet, five inches tall, quite slender, not a military man at all, though Washington Irving said that he did more than any other man to keep up the financial end of the army in Virginia."

There was to be a meeting, in the Fall of 1755, in Alexandria, Fairfax County to chose a delegate to represent the county in the House of Burgesses at Williamsburg. As it rained on the particular day appointed Col. George Washington (23), who was just a few month's "flush with the laurels of Braddock's Field," assumed that the meeting would be postponed. Washington's regiment at the time was still at Fort Cumberland. Next day he showed up for the meeting and was outraged that it had in fact gone ahead and that the assembled gentlemen and planters had made a selection without him being present. There was a heated argument between him, representing the losing candidate, and William Payne, representing the successful. In impetous anger the Colonel referred to William Payne as something other than a southern gentleman. The small and slender William (31) instantly took his hickory walking stick and lashed out in the public square. He knocked George Washington down. Washington's officers immediately whipped out their cold irons. Washington stopped any further developments. This settled the matter for the day. Next day Mr Payne received a polite message that Washington wanted to meet him at a certain tavern nearby. He went with the feeling that there was to be a challenge to a duel. Greeting him in a friendly way Washington ushered him to a table at the back where there was a bottle of wine. He apologised for what he had said, saying he had no right to speak like that. William was deeply moved. Where upon the two men drank toasts to each others health and became friends. Some time later William visited Washington's home at Mt. Vernon. Washington introduced his wife, Martha, to the man who, he said, had the courage to attack him even though he, Washington, was a much bigger man." (Excerpted by Ken Harvey from THE PAYNES OF VIRGINIA, based on Parson Weems's "Life of Washington.")

William married Susannah Clark on 3 Feb 1747 in Pohick Church, Truro Parish, Virginia. Susannah was born on 17 Dec 1721 in Prince William County, Virginia; died on 22 Feb 1771. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Said to have married Giles COOK on 30 Nov 1775.

William married Polly Robinson on 20 Jul 1777. Polly was born before 1757; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Pierce Bayley on 23 Feb 1772 in Fairfax County, Virginia. Pierce was born on 12 May 1742 in Fairfax County, Virginia; died on 9 Oct 1800 in Loudoun County, Virginia; was buried in Bayley Cemetery, Gilberts Corner, Loudoun County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"Accidentally killed during a fox-hunt by his horse slipping at a jump. A soldier in the Va. Militia during the Revolution" (Payne, p. 249).

Benjamin married Jane Campbell on 24 Dec 1778. Jane was born before 1758; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: George (Col.) West. George was born before 1757; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anne married Thomas (Capt) West on 31 Jan 1779. Thomas was born before 1759; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Brooke Payne notes that his name is spelled in various ways: D.V., Devaul, Duvall, Deval, De Vall, Devall. In spelling it Devall, Payne follows the practice of living descendants who use the name. (Payne, p 251). He took at active part in the civil affairs of his State, being a member of the Legislature 1801, 1805, 1817, and 1828. He was State Senator 1807-1811; Presidential elector 1813, 1817, and 1825. 1816 he was Justice of the Peace in Mason co.Collins's HISTORY OF KENTUCKY (says)...'he joined Capt. Kenneth McChord's troop of cavalry and served in 1791 under General Charles Scott against the Indians on the Wabash...in 1813 he was appointed Major in Col. Richard M. Johnson's regiment of mounted rifleman. On 5 Oct 1813 at the Battle of the Thames he charged at the head of his battalion through the British lines; and in company with General Harrison's aides when in pursuit of General Proctor...also said to have distinguished himself at the Battle of River Raisen, Michigan where in January 1813 the Americans suffered an overwhelming defeat by the British and massacre by the Indians." (Payne, p 252).

Devall married Hannah Innes Brent on 15 Dec 1785 in Loudoun County, Virginia. Hannah was born on 10 Apr 1769 in Prince William County, Virginia; died on 15 Sep 1837 in Mt. Carmel, Fleming County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He is said to have m. Miss HICKLE and d.s.p. He moved from Fx. Co. to Montgomery Co., Ky., and later to near Bowling Green, Ky., where he was a physician.1813 while in Montgomery Co. he acted as attorney for Archibald Summers in a sale of land in Fx. Co. He represented Warren Co., Ky., in State Legislature 1824, 1828, and 1837; and was State Senator 1829-33. (Payne, pp. 268-269).

Notes:

As she was born in the year her parents moved from Fx. County to Kentucky, the place of her birth is uncertain. (Payne, p 270).

Notes:

"d. y(oung)." (Payne, p. 273).