Elisha Payne

Elisha Payne (7 March 1731 – 20 July 1807) was a prominent businessman and political figure in the states of New Hampshire and Vermont following the events of the American Revolution. He is best known for serving as Lieutenant Governor of the Vermont Republic and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont. Early life The son of a prominent cleric of the same name, Elisha Payne was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, on March 7, 1731. He graduated from Yale College in 1750, studied law, and attained admission to the bar. In addition, Payne was a partner with his brother-in-law in a successful mercantile business. Career From 1765 to 1768 Payne served in the Connecticut Assembly. In 1774 Payne relocated to Orange, New Hampshire, then called Cardigan, where he practiced law, farmed, and operated a successful saw and gristmill. In addition, he served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.