The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-30
THO M AS PAINE.
The Anniversary Of His Birthdav-Interview
with an Old Lady Who Knew Him in Her
Youth-Liie and Habits Of the Man
The Monument in New Rochelle.

For many years after the death Of the celebrated
Thomas Paine the lank and Ong-haired fraternity
who styled themselves his followers celebrated the
anniversary OF his natal day, after their OWE
fashion. Brother Tisck a.e prevailed upon the
good nature Of Brother La.mental to give the long<
ltmbed proselytes the use OF the granary
mis- coach house. and there In the highest ferv0n
or their great admiration for the Industrious dead
the meagre community would descant In long, toneds
nasal oratOry upon the wonderful gifts and powers
Of the man whom they mad elected to follow. Every
sentence writings that at all bore suspicious
meaning or was
CAPABLE OF CONSTRUCTION
they would twist and pervert suit the calibre 81
their own mental organizations With no knowledge
OF the man but little Of his doctrines, they set
him up as the embodiment OF curious set OF ldeasr
which, when really slfted and reduced to "c0mmou
sense" meant nothing at all. Still they
were ardent, and pursued the phantom
with a zeal worthy OF better cansea
When the granary or coach-house was not procure
able these mid and humble men congregated In
any convenient spot where irantlc zealots might
indulge their fantastic doctrines without fear Of
interruption. When driven from the villages ana
smalle. communities by the loud voice OF public
opinion they sought the crowded cities, where rhe
rush OF
THE TIDE OF LIFE
was too rapid Tor any one TO notice the shaKy DarB
they were endeavoring to man9uvre. Then at night
concealed IN holes and corners, they preached td
ont another those doctrines would not bear the
light Of day. These men hOurshed most vigorously;
during the first quarter OF century after the
death Of Paine by degrees their num-i
Der grew less, and they continued to decrease
until within the last few years, when they seem to-
have dropped almost completely out OF hlstory.S
Yesterday the anniversary of Paine's birthday,
and but one gathering in honor OF the memory OF
man who in his time stirred the souls OF men as
deeply, ii not at times even more. than any or his
compeers. Or course there may have been other
celebrations OF a more private nature 10 commence
rate the entrance upon the stage OF life OF man
whom so many have admired, ont they were s0
SECRET NATURE
that nothing mas heard OF them. IN one
household, however, IN the village Of New Rochelle
the name OF Paine was pronounced with that res
things they were ramllar with in YOUTH but than
have long since passed away: Inat dwelling Is inc
n noWe IN 0i herr S eisnay Urn Year. w VINO knew
Thomas Paine well III her YOUTH and VINO SHE
retains for him me strong impressions OF her eariy
at the house the Old lazy was seated at dinnec
with ner daughter, herself. an old lady and neC
young one, she Is a straight ana stateiy dame OF
Of the OLD aristocratc type, so rarely seen to-day
badeau Is In full possession OF all her iacul-
ties. Der eye for lady OF her age, is sing uiarly
nent degree the ease and grace OF manner tnat so
distinguish ladies' OF her class When questioned
WE'LL SIR He boarded III that little house YOU saw,
you came H. Tor several weeks, with my mother..
was then about eighteen or nineteen years OF agek
REMEMBER HIM DISTINCTLY. .
He was q very quiet thoughtful man. but little gven
to discussion, ana extremely simple IN hs
tastes. HIS usual evening meal was q bowl OF
lie came to our mousse wnen he mad broken up.
housekeeping on ms farm, which was Just acrosSA
New YORK. remember Mrs. Barnweh too. sne
used 10 come from New York sometimes, both tos
woman. and think little deserving the scandal the
world mas flung upon her name. AS for ThOmaat
Pane. you could not lind a more upright conscien-t
tious man In this part OF the country. lie paid 4
every one what he owed him, and. as far as ~
could ever learn. he did no one an injury.
or course he had many enemies AMI he mas s0nel
today and there also many people who secretly
like him. but they are afraid TO own It, You see,i
SIR not OF that class When he left TINS village
he went to New York, where he died. was in the;
city myself at the time and shortly alter
THEY BROUGHT HIM OUT HERE II
ana buried him on the farm on the opposite side OF
the road from my house. Nine years after that
three men came out here at daybreak one
away with them. | and my husband asked
them what they intended aong with nlm anu t S,H
buried in Trinity Wnelher she did or not never,
could find out. have heard, however, tnat ne
was taken to England where some people reused
to allow his body to land. and that hnaily he was
thrown into the sea. some nve and twenty year.
from mere subscribed together and raised that
monument to ms memory you saw on the opposite
side or the road"
the monument Is q handsome one, standing be- /
side the road and surrounded by high IRON railing.
Ii is but few 1eet from the original grave which
looks now as II IL mad only been recently deprived
OF It's tenant On che front Of the monument, racing
the road, Is the inscrlpLon:-
"Tne world Is my country; to do good Is my 3
$religlon." THOMAS fAlNE' 3
THOMAS PAINE,
AUTHOR OF 3
"COMMUN SENSE" Z
BORN JANUARY TIE 9TH, 1873. &
-