Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-05-30
From the Vermont Chronicle.
HON. ELIJAH PAINE.

AS we have before noticed in short obituary,
Judge Paine died Mt his residence in Williams
town, VT, on the 28th Of April last n: the age of
"a years. We now deem it due to his honored
memory TO make public some ofthe more leaiing
incidents of his long aud useful life which, since
his death, We have learned from an authentic
source, as they are such cannot fail of nteres-
ting the large circle OF friends To whom he was
dear for the many virtues which characterized
him as friend and citizen nor of interesting the
public, TO which he has long been favourubly
known tor the qualities which dignity and render
honorable the incumbent Of his high official sta.
ton.
tie was born in Brooklyn, Conn, January 81,
l|5I-began his studies preparatory for college
under his uncle, the Rev. John Paine of Stur-
bridge Mass, bur in September, l776, suspended
them to take arms in the Revolutionary struggle.
In IVY he resumed his studies, and entered Har-
ward College at the commencement Of the succee-
ding collegiate year. He graduated with the de-
gree OF A. B. in July l7Sl-nud continued his
connexlon with the college, devoting himself to
the study OF Law undA' Benjamin Lincoln Esq,
ull July 1854, when he received the degree of A.
NJ.
In August 1884, he came 10 Vermont where he
resided till his death. In 1856 he was elected n
member OF a convention to consider amendments
to the constitution of The State, and was its Sec
rotary. In 1857 he was elected member of the
Vermont Legislature, and by reelection was con-
tlnued such ill 1871, when he elected Judge
of the Supreme Court of the State, which office
ne held I'LL 1874, when he was elected u. ). SEN
a,or In 1900 he was reelected to the same of
hce, but did not enter upon the duties of his Sec
ond term, having been in February 1901, appoint
ed by the Elder President Adams, Judge of the
District Court for the State of Vermont, which
last office he held to the first of April last and
then resigned it.
In l7S9, he was appointed one of the commits
aIOnprS ilp Iatt V,,rb
aud Vermont.
Judge Paine was the first President of the Phi
Beta Kappa Society of Harvard, and pronounced
the first Grafton before that Society He was for
many years Trustee Of Dartmouth College and
largely instrumental in conducting the controver-
sy between the Trustees of that Institution and the
State, which resulted in establishing by the Su-
preme Court of the United Suites tie inviolabi-
ty OF Vested Rights. He was honorrd with the
degree of l.. l.. ID. by Harvard Dartmouth, and
vermont Unlverslty-wus Fellow of the Ameri-
can Academy Of Arts and Sciences-a member
OF the American Antiquarian Society and honora-
ny member Of the Northern Academy of Arts and
Sciences. He was for long time President OF
the Vermont Colonization Society, and large PEE
cunlary henefactor to il, also to Dartmouth Col
lege and Vermont University.
Ii is an interesting fact that of the Senators of
Washington's Administration Judge Paine was
the last to
{" Wrap the drapcry of his couch
About him. and lie down. in the sumber of the ground.
He "came to his grave in II full aye, like as a
shock of corn comeih in his season."
6" Why weep yc then for him, who, having run
The bound of mans appointed years, ut last,
LIES blessings all enjoyed life's labours done,
SStenely to his final rest has passed.
Linger', like twilight hues when the bright sun is
When his weak hand grew polsiod, and his eye
Dark with the mists of age, it was his time to die"