With the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775, Payne joined HMS "Bristol" and participated in the Battle of Sullivan's Island under the command of Sir Peter Parker. Shortly afterward, Payne joined HMS "Eagle" in New York City to serve as Lord Howe's aide-de-camp. In 1777, Payne joined HMS "Brune" and the following year transferred to HMS "Phoenix" in which he participated in numerous coastal operations on the Eastern Seaboard.