1. Elisha Payne was a prominent businessman and political figure in the states of New Hampshire and Vermont following the events of the American Revolution.
15 Facts About Elisha Payne
1. 2.
Elisha Payne is best known for serving as Lieutenant Governor of the Vermont Republic and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont.
3.
Elisha Payne graduated from Yale College in 1750, studied law, and attained admission to the bar.
4.
From 1765 to 1768 Elisha Payne served in the Connecticut Assembly.
5.
In 1774 Elisha Payne relocated to Orange, New Hampshire, then called Cardigan, where he practiced law, farmed, and operated a successful saw and gristmill.
6.
In 1775 Elisha Payne was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the New Hampshire militia.
7.
In 1781 Elisha Payne was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives.
8.
Elisha Payne was elected Lieutenant Governor of Vermont and appointed Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.
9.
Elisha Payne was appointed in 1782 as one of Vermont's delegates to negotiate with the Continental Congress.
10.
Elisha Payne served in the New Hampshire House again in 1790,1793,1796 to 1797, and 1800.
11.
Elisha Payne was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States House of Representatives in a 1789 special election.
12.
Elisha Payne was treasurer of Dartmouth College from 1779 to 1780, and a trustee of the college from 1784 to 1801.
13.
In 1788 Elisha Payne was a delegate to the New Hampshire convention that considered adoption of the United States Constitution and voted for its ratification.
14.
Elisha Payne appears to have been the final clinching vote of the New Hampshire legislature that ultimately ratified the United States Constitution.
15.
Elisha Payne was married twice: first to Anna Waldo and, after her death, to Elizabeth Spaulding.