Paine, Thomas, 1694-1757

Thomas Paine, minister and merchant, was born on April 9, 1694, to James and Bethiah (Thacher) Paine in Barnstable, Massachusetts. He received his Harvard AB in 1717. After graduation, he taught school in Andover until 1718 while studying theology. From 1718-1719, he was a scholar of the house at Harvard, during which time he produced astronomical almanacs. He was ordained on August 19, 1719 in Weymouth, and in 1720, he received his AM from Harvard. On April 21, 1721, he married Eunice Treat; they had five children, including Robert Treat Paine (Harvard College Class of 1749). After leaving Weymouth in 1733, he became active in foreign trade, acquiring iron foundries and operating ships. Paine died in Braintree on May 30, 1757.