Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-09
"FR0M THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE,
WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE EVENING STAR BIZ
CHARLES H. BRAINARD.
ANCESTRY. BIRTH AND pARpNr.ap

ANCESTRY, BIRTH AND PARRNrAGE
John Howard Payne was OF English descent
his paternal ancestry having emtgrated from Eng.
land about the year 1922 and landed at Rastham
In the state OF Massachusetts,. His grandfathel
was prominent citizen OF that place and o lieu
tenant in the service OF the British colonies. His
death occurred at Cape Breton In 1916 In which
year William Payne, the father OF the poet, was
born. At an early age William Payne was placed
In charge OF Rev. Samuel Osborn, OF Elstham, for
instruction, and after completing his studies
went to Boston, where he became a tutor In a
wealthy family OF that city. While occupytnp
that position he commenced the study of medicine
under Gen. Joseph Warren, who fell at
Bunker Hill; but his studies being
interrupted by the troubles with
England he opened an English grammar school as
means OF support. He was twice married hi:
irst vile being Lucy Taylor OF Barnstable, Massa-
afterwards made voyage to the West Iniies on
business, and on his return went to New London
Connecticut, where he met with Miss Sarah Isaacs
OF East Hampton. Long Island, a young woman OF
great personal attractions and varied accomplish
ments. with whom he is said to have fallen ia love
at 11FSt sight The father OF Miss Isaacs was a
converted Jew, who came to this country from
Hamburg before the War OF the Revolution and
settled In East Hampton, where he resided until
his death. He was buried In the churchyard of
that ancient village, where hts grave is marked by
an humble tombstone bearing this brief but ex.
preSSve inscription:
AN lsraeute moeed, In whom there was no guile. ~
william Payne and Sarah ISaacS were married
IN 1850. Three years afterwards Mr.. Payne was
appointed principal Of an academy established In
East Hampton by De Witt Clinton governor Of
the state Of New York. Or this academy, which
bore the name of its illustrous founder, MI Payne
remalned IN charge several years, when he re-
John Howard the sixth OF a family of nine chill
dren. was born. at No. 33 Broad street, on the 9th
OF June, l7sl large portion OF the early child
hood OF John was passed at the Old homestead in
East Hampton, where the beautiful pastoral
scenery oy which 1t was surrounded, and the
sports In which he engaged at this happy period
OF his existence, made a deep and abiding impress
sion on his mind, and 1t will hereafter be seen that
when he wrote the beautiful song which is sung
world he must have been thinking Of the pleasant
oid town on Long Island where he played In
his infancy.
REMOVAL TO BOSTON,
In 1896, when John was but five years Old his
father removed to Boston TO take charge of an
academy In that city, where he resided eight
years. The most notable incident of Johns life
at this period was the formation OF boys mill
tary company, OF which he assumed the command
and OF which John G. Palfrey, afterwards noted
IN after years known as the author OF s'The Old
Oaken Bucket" are said to have been members
This company of juvenile soldiers attracted much
sion when it appeared on Boston Common re-
ceived a standard from young and beautiful
girl. who afterwards became the wife OF a foreign
William Payne was q successful teacher OF
eocutiQn, and under his careful training his gifted
son soon developed decided taste for the drama,
ana such precocious power in reading and recita.
tion as created In him strong desire to become
an actor At this time Master Betty, the youthful
Roscius OF England, was creating q sensation in
the English theaters, and the American news
papers were enthusiastic In their praise OF his
wonderful performances The mind OF Master
Payne was deeply impressed by what he read con-
cerning the young English actor, and he cherished
q hope that he might some day become his r1vaI.
RETURN TO NEW YORK, PUBLISHES PAPHR
At the age OF thirteen John returned to the city
of New York, where he was placed in the count
ing-room OF mercantile house, OF which de-
ceased elder brother had been partner; but 1t was
not long before he became disguised with the dry
details and the drudgery OF business and, turning
his attention TO literature, for which he had
cherished a strong predilectIon, secretly engaged
In the editorship OF little paper entitled Ins
Inespt0n Mirror, the first number OF which ap-
peared December 28th, 1905. dramatic crit.
cisrn which appeared In this paper attracted the
attention OF William Coleman, editor OF the New
York Euentng Pos. who republished 1t In the
columns OF that journal When Ar. Coleman dis.
covered that its author was boy Of only thirteen
years, he took 90 deep an interest In hts welfare
that he formed plan 60 send him 20 college, he
therefore introduced him to Mr.. Seaman, Q
wealthy gentleman OF New York, who was 30 cap
Hvated BY his beauty Of person and engaging
manners that after compilation NTH his 3athsf,