Col William Payne

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WILLIAM PAYNE; Who walked behind Ramsay, (from Smith's history of Virginia) is said to be the son of Sir Robert Payne, who came to America from Yorkshire, Englnd on April 18th 1619 with his two brothers, John and William. On the same ship was Sir George Yardley the first colonial Governor of Virginia. Col. Payne was born in Alexandria, and was one of a committee of safety appointed at a meeting held in the Court House in Alexandria, July 13, 1774 when George Washington was in the chair, and Robert Harrison was Secretary.

At an election for vestrymen of Fairfax Parish, March 28, 1765, William Payne received 304 votes and George Washington 274 votes. The following account appears in the Alexandria Gazette, Aug. 25, 1874; "In 1754 when Washington, in command of the Virginia Rangers was waiting in Alexandria for the arrival of Braddock's Forces, an exciting election contest occured between Mr. Fairfax and Mr. Payne for the House of Burgesses,Washington supported Mr Fairfax with much zeal, and high words passed between Washington and Payne in the Market-square.

Payne struck Washington a blow which brought him to earth, troops rushed in, and would have made short work of Payne had not Washington pacified them, assuring them that he knew the proper course to take. Duels were not then under ban of Public opinion. All supposed that a fight was imminent. Next morning Washington sent for Payne, and when the latter entered the room he saw on the table, not a pair of pistols as he had supposed, but a decanter of wine and two glasses.

"Mr Payne" said Washington,"to err is human. I was wrong yesterday, but if you have had sufficient satisfaction, let us be friends." Weems relates "from that day Washington was Payne's idea of true manhood.

The Magnanimity of Washington will be better understood and appreciated when it is recollected that at that time there was a cloud upon Washington's Powers, as he had been a few months before compelled by the French to capitulate at Fort Necessity, and had as yet done nothing to redeem his fame.

Source:

• http://www.mastermason.com/dresden/WHO%20WERE%20THEY.htm

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https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28750/28750-h/28750-h.htm