Individual Details

John Payne was a Burgess from Goochland, 1752 to 1786. He was a Lt. Col. in the militia.

John did inherit the home plantation [probably 400 acres] of his father after the death of his mother, as well as another 200 acres patented by his father in 1735.

On 20 Sep 1759, the three brothers, Josias, George & John Payne were issued a patent in Albemarle Co of 3443 acres, both sides of Crooks Creek. PB 33, p.650 [I have been unable to locate this creek on present day maps. Another patent did mention Crook Crk, in fork of James River.]
The description of this patent is lengthy but it does state that 400 acres were formerly granted to George Payne, 10 Feb 1748; 3043 acres were residue never granted. Neighbors included Wm Bailey, Thomas Ambrose, Thomas Jefferson, John King, William News, Benjamin & Richard Cocke, Walter King, Julius Saunders, William Sanders, William Clements, Abraham ?Says. It bounded twice on lines of George Payne.


He is believed to have married twice. A number of ladies are suggested as his first wife on the Internet: Hannah Harris, Ann Archer, Jane Archer, Mary Lucy Cole, Dorothea Spotswood. In no case is there any authority for the first wife - no indication of proof of either for given name or her surname. I have listed all the children with Jane although it's probable John and Archer were not her sons - Jane did not mention them in distributing her inheritance.

Goochland DB 14
p.61 Will of John Payne
To son John the land plantation whereon he lives and the land I purchased of William Pledge and 100 acres in the County of Fluvanna on branches of Bird Creek which I purchased of William Gooch.. Also all the Negroes in his possession.
I confirm to my son Archer the land & plantation whereon he now lives called Newman Hall, also all that tract joing on the east side of Beaverdam Creek which I purchased of William & Gideon Christian,which he now occupies. Also all that dividend of land I purchased of James Coleman, joining in the said Beaverdam Creek. Also a small tract of 20 odd acres joing in his new Market Tract and the land of Richard Adams I also give him. All that Tract that lies on both sides the mountain Road which I purchased of Jesse Witt & Sarah Thomas and is the land whereon William Groom & the said Sarah Thomas now live. Also the Negroes formerly given him by deed of Gift
To my loving wife Jane Layne, all the estate whatsoever which I had by her by my marriage with her to do as she think proper for the benefit of all her children by me except part of the furniture of her house which was mostly sold.
I lend to my wife during her natural life, the use of all part of the land & plantation whereon I now live that lies on the North side the main road, including 152 acres purchased of Richard Anderson, part of which lies on the South side the said Road. Also lend mulatto man Sam & 17 Negroes. Descend to my son Robert.
Jack Nell & York descend to son George Woodson
Son Smith ….Sirus & Hamer & Fanny
To daughter Anne Gordon, 11 Negroes.
To daughter Jennie 11 Negroes
To son Philip the land & Plantation I hold joining on Staunton River in Campbell Co, all tools, cattle, hogs sheep, plow horses on the said plantation. Also 18 Negroes. And part of the tract of land in Bedford Co called the Forrest Tract
To son Smith all tract of land in Campbell Co called Flat Creek Quarter & all belonging to that plantation at the time of his arrival to 21 years. Also remaining part of Tract in Bedford Co, 106 acres adjoining which I purchased of Drury Howard. 17 Negroes.
My wife taking upon herself the support & schooling of three children George Woodson, Robert & Mildred Mathews, all remaining profits of my estate. [George ages out first, then Mildred, then Robert]
Details of land, etc. to be given to George Woodson & Robert
Some remainder to be divided among three daughters - Ann Gordan, Jane Lee & Mildred Mathews and two sons George Woodson & Robert.
Executors: Archer, Phillip, Smith Payne & son-in-law James Gordan, Executors
10 Mar 1783 Signed: John Payne
Wit: John Whillock, Will. Lewis, John Jouett Jr., John C. Payne
Codicil directing sale of crops. 24 Apr 1784.
Aug 17, 1784 Produced in Court and ordered recorded

Children suggested as being from the first marriage are David, John Jr., Stephen, Robert, Mark, and Archer Payne - only John & Archer named in his will. His second wife mentioned his will in a deed to her children. Not named in her deed were John and Archer - sons of Col. John named in the will above - presumably they were sons of an earlier marriage.

Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches Embracing the History of Campbell Co, VA, 1782-1926
Archer, son of Col. John is said to have married (1) Martha Dandridge, daughter of Capt. Nathaniel West Dandridge and (2) Betsy Brooks. Said to have lived on an estate given him by his father in 1775. A son Robert is said to have died unmarried in 1776.
Children of Archer & Martha included Anne Spotswood, Martha, Archer Jr. and Dorothea D. who married Edward Bolling. Alexander Spotswood Payne, another son, married Charlotte Bryce and lived on Ivy Creek, Campbell Co., Jane who married Robert Bolling, John Robert Dandridge Payne who married Susan Bryce, Lillias who married Dr. Richard Potts James, and Catherin who married Archibald Bolling as his 3rd or 4th wife.

Birth	14 Dec 1713
Marriage	23 Jun 1757	Jane Smith
Death	29 Jun 1784	Goochland County, Virginia

Spouse	Jane Smith (1734 - )
Child	John Payne ( - )
Child	Archer Payne ( - )
Child	Ann Payne (1758 - )
Child	Philip Payne (1760 - )
Child	Jane/Jean Payne (1762 - )
Child	Smith Payne (1764 - )
Child	George Woodson Payne (1767 - )
Child	Mildred Matthew Payne (1769 - 1790)
Child	Robert Payne (1770 - )
Child	Elizabeth Woodson Payne (1773 - 1790)

Father	George Payne ( - 1744)
Mother	Mary Woodson (1678 - 1766)
Sibling	Josias Payne (1705 - 1785)
Sibling	George Payne (1707 - 1784)
Sibling	Robert Payne (1709 - 1739)