Wrixham Payne (ca.1757-1827)
While no records document Wrixham Payne’s birth, the 1800 U.S. census indicates he was between the ages of 26 and 44, which means he was likely born after 1756.[1] A birth date of 1757 is a rough estimate. He appears to have been John Paine’s third oldest son.
During this generation, the surname spelling shifted from “Paine” or “Pain” to the increasingly popular spelling “Payne.”
Wrixham’s Role in the Revolutionary War
Unlike his three brothers, there are no records of Wrixham being part of the Worcester County militia during the Revolutionary War, despite being old enough to serve. Maryland's Revolutionary War militia was established for all able-bodied free men between the ages of 16 and 50.[2] There is also no record of him taking the oath of fidelity to the State of Maryland.
Many colonists living in Worcester and Somerset counties opposed the Revolution, and farmers in the lower Eastern Shore regularly supplied British ships in the Chesapeake. In February 1777, the Continental Congress directed Maryland to use the militia to suppress British sympathizers and arrest ringleaders of the insurgents. Others were granted amnesty if they surrendered their arms and took an oath of fidelity within forty days.[3] Since the militia and oath of fidelity records for Worcester County are incomplete, it is not possible to determine whether Wrixham supported the Patriots like his brothers or opposed the Revolution like many of his neighbors.
Wrixham’s Wives and Children
Wrixham appears to have married Susanna Aydelotte, the daughter of William and Mary Aydelotte, around 1785. While there are no records of the marriage, land deeds mention Susanna as the wife of Wrixham Payne.[4] According to the 1850 U.S. Census, their oldest son, Moses, was born in 1786, which implies the marriage took place before that date.[5]
Identifying Susanna’s maiden name is difficult since there are no records that clearly point to a maiden name. There is a good possibility her maiden name is Aydelotte since their youngest son, Samuel, was probably given Aydelotte as a middle name. Unfortunately, there is little evidence of this. While Samuel appeared in multiple court records with “A” as his middle initial, none of the records spell out his middle name. Samuel’s great-granddaughter Bessie told family members that Samuel’s middle name was Aydelotte and he is often referred to as “Samuel Aydelotte” by secondary sources.[6]
A Susanna Aydelotte lived in Worcester County, Maryland, and appears to have been the right age to have married Wrixham Payne. A man named William Aydelotte, who lived in Worcester County, had a daughter named Susanna to whom he bequeathed furniture, farm animals, and other household items in his will dated December 4, 1778.[7]
Wrixham and Susanna had eight children -- three sons (Moses, William, Samuel) and five daughters (Elizabeth, Mary, Leah, Esther, Rebecca).
Susanna appeared to have died between 1808, when Samuel was born[8], and 1810, when the U.S. Census entry for “Ruxom” Payne listed no females at the age Susanna would have been if she was living.[9]
Wrixham married his second wife, Sally Watson, on 28 January 1817.[10] Sally Watson was probably a widow, and may have been the Sally Watson who appeared in the U.S. Census in Boquetenorton Hundred as head of household with a son between the ages of 16 and 25.[11]
There is insufficient evidence to identify Sally’s maiden name or first husband if she had one. On June 23, 1818, Aaron Hudson wrote his will and bequeathed items to Sally Payne, who he does not identify as his daughter despite identifying Gatty Benson as a daughter.[12] It is unclear what the relationship was between Aaron Hudson and Wrixham’s wife Sally, but he may have been her father.
Wrixham’s Livelihood
Wrixham bought and sold property several times throughout his lifetime. He bought his first tract of land, 15.5 acres of Second Partnership, on January 31, 1780, from Bowdoin Robins for £10.[13] The land was adjacent to a parcel his brother Levin purchased on the same day.[14] Despite owning land, he did not appear in Worcester County’s 1783 tax roll.[15]
When his stepmother, Elizabeth, passed away, Wrixham took possession of the 82 acres of land (Smithfield and Farloworth) that he inherited from his father. The will stipulated that the land was lent to Elizabeth “during her natural life” and then was to pass to Wrixham.[16]
On March 19, 1790, Wrixham exchanged his ownership of Smithfield, Farloworth, and Second Partnership with Elijah Pilchard in exchange for 64 acres of Bacon Quarter and 79 acres of Thin Soil.[17] This land was much closer to the Pocomoke River. In 1796, he traded land again with Elijah Pilchard, this time he gave up 29 acres of Thin Soil for 25.5 acres of Pilchard’s Trouble.[18] In 1801, he patented a 4-acre tract of land called Small Lot,[19] but soon after that he sold that tract along with Bacon Quarter and Pilchard’s Trouble to Levin Conner for $500.[20]
On May 26, 1803, Wrixham purchased 186.5 acres of land from his cousin Moses Upshur Payne, who was moving to Kentucky.[21] This land was further east, 4 miles from the sea and is the land he bequeathed to his son Samuel. One of Wrixham’s descendants resides on this active farm today.
Wrixham had several apprentices work for him on his farms. On August 13, 1799, Draper Taylor, the orphan of Betty Taylor, was apprenticed to Wrixham.[22] On 10 October 1809, eight-year-old Moses Roberts, son of Esther Roberts, was apprenticed to Wrixham until he turned 21 years old.[23] While there is no court record of other apprenticeships, he mentioned in his will a black boy named Edward who was bound to him until age 20 years.[24]
Wrixham’s Death
On October 24, 1827, Wrixham Payne signed his will in Worcester County, Maryland. He bequeathed to his wife Sally food items to be provided annually by his son Samuel A. in lieu of her dower third, with the right to dwell in the house as long as she wished, along with furniture and livestock. He left his son Samuel all his land and forgave the debt his son William owed him for land he’d purchased for him previously. He bequeathed specific items to his other children and directed that the remaining property be divided between his son Moses and his five daughters: Mary Payne, Esther Ellis, Rebecca Hill, Leah Payne, and Betsey Benson. He appointed his son William sole executor. The will was witnessed by Benjamin P. Aydelott, Joshua Payne, and West Watson.[25]
Wrixham Payne died sometime between October 24, 1827, when he signed his will, and November 9, 1827, when it was probated, in Worcester County, Maryland.
Footnotes
[1] 1800 U.S. Census, Worcester County, Maryland, p. 183, household of Wrixam Payne; FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRZV-N24).
[2] https://guide.msa.maryland.gov/pages/viewer.aspx?page=militia
[3] Clements, S. Eugene & Wright, F. Edward. The Maryland militia in the revolutionary war. (Silver Spring MD: Family Line Publications, 1987).
[4] Maryland, Worcester. Land Records, Liber N, 1788-1791, pp. 191-192 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QC-6SBF-9. Maryland, Worcester. Land Records, Liber R, 1796-1797, pp. 193-194 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSG3-93Y4-T. Maryland, Worcester. Land Records, Liber U, 1800-1801, pp. 309-311 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-89BG-V.
[5] 1850 U.S. Census, 1850, Accomack County, Virginia, p. 3, household of Moses Payne https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M882-W8M.
[6] Bob Jones to Beth Payne, "Samuel Aydelotte Payne's Grave Site," e-mail, 27 March 2026, privately held by Beth Payne, Washington, D.C.
[7] Maryland, Worcester. Wills, Liber J.W., No. 4, 1769-1783, pp. 364-366 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9TBJ-SR4K.
[8] Birth of Samuel Aydelotte: David Painter, contributor, "Payne, Samuel & Mary Scarborough Bonneville Payne Graves," Various Family Cemeteries, Worcester County, Maryland; USGenWeb Archives (http://files.usgwarchives.net/md/worcester/cemeteries/various.txt : accessed 9 March 2026); citing gravestone inscriptions, Jones Road field, Worcester County, Maryland.
[9] 1810 U.S. Census, Worcester County, Maryland, p. 627, household of Ruxom Payne (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2F-Z6Y.
[10]"Maryland County Marriages, 1658-1940," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q283-F3PL: Oct 04, 2026), Entry for Wrixham Payne and Sally Watson, 28 Jan 1817.
[11] 1800 U.S. Census, Worcester County, Maryland, p. 214, household of Sally Watson https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RZK-PT.
[12] Maryland, Worcester. Wills, Liber M.H., 1813-1822, pp. 321-322 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9TB2-SD.
[13] Maryland, Worcester County. Land Records, Liber I, 1771-1776, p. 263 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSGD-19RY-N.
[14] Ibid, pp. 290-291 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSGD-19T8-4.
[15] Maryland, Worcester. 1783 Tax Records. https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/stagser/s1400/s1437/html/1437wo.html.
[16] Maryland. Worcester County. Wills, Liber J.W., 1790-99, pp. 331-332 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GTBJ-S5PF.
[17] Maryland, Worcester. Land Records, Liber N, 1788-1791, pp. 193-194 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QC-6SBF-9.
[18] Maryland, Worcester. Land Records, Liber R, 1796-1797, pp. 193-195 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSG3-93Y4-T.
[19] Maryland State Archives, Worcester County Circuit Court, Certificates, Patented, "Small Lot," Patented Certificate 2344, Wrixham Payne, surveyed 24 April 1797, patented 17 September 1801; MSA S1210-2516, Maryland State Archives, Annapolis; digital image, Maryland State Archives (https://mdlandrec.net), printed 4 April 2026.
[20] Maryland, Worcester. Land Records, Liber U, 1800-1801, pp. 309-311 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-89BG-V.
[21] Maryland, Worcester. Land Records, Liber V, 1801-1803, pp. 468-470 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-7T37.
[22] Maryland, Worcester. Orphans Court Proceedings, Liber J.B.R. No. A, 1799-1800pp. 84-85 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB4-CQ8N-W.
[23] Maryland, Worcester. Court Proceedings, Liber M.H. No. 7, 1806-1810, pp. 557-558 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSY2-58TZ.
[24] Maryland, Worcester. Wills, Liber M.H., 1822-1833, pp. 289-291 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GT1P-4P7.
[25] Ibid.
Wrixham Payne’s Will
In the name of God Amen I Wrixham Payne of Worcester County State of Maryland being of a sound and disposing of memory do make and constitute this my last will and testament in manner and form following ??.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel A Payne all the land which I now own and have patents or deeds to convey and if my son Samuel A Payne departs this life without a lawful heir then the aforesaid land I will to my grandson Moses James Payne to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my wife Sally Payne ten bushels of corn two bushels of wheat and hundred and fifty pounds of pork to be paid her by my son Samuel A Payne every year during her life in lue of her thirds of my land. I also will that my wife Sally Payne will have a comfortable home in my dwelling house as long as she has a mind to stay. I also will that my wife Sally Payne and son Samuel A Payne shall keep a black boy Edward which was bound to me until he is twenty and I also give unto my wife Sally Payne two beds and furniture, one corner cupboard two pine tables and pine chest two good sitting chairs and all the ?? cane that that she had when married to me and bookcase and small iron pot and ?? spider. I also give unto my wife Sally Payne my young mare and carago and the first cold that is raised from said mare to my son Samuel A Payne.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Moses Payne my cider still and aperatus to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Payne our bed and furniture and spinning wheel t her her heirs and assigns forever.
Item I also give and bequeath unto my son Samuel A Payne all my cider casks & barrels & best log wood ax.
Item I will and desire that the money that I paid for my son William Paynes land shall be considered his part of my property.
And now my will and desire is that the whole remaining part of my property not before mentioned to be equally divided between my son Moses Payne and my five daughters ?? Mary Payne, Esther Ellis, Rebecca Hill, Leah Payne and Betsey Benson. I will that when the property is divided that my son William Payne shall take my daughter Betsey Benson and have in his hands and keep in clear of ?? tenant and pay her eighteen dollars per year as the needs in for the support of herself and children until the whole is amount is expended.
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son William Payne to be sole executor of this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me heretofore made notifying and confirming that and none other to be my last will and testament in testimony where of I have hereunto let my hand and affixed (my ??) this the twenty fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand and Eight hundred and twenty seven.
Signed sealed published and declared By Wrixham Payne the above mentioned Testator as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and In the presence of each other have Hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses there unto Benjamin P. Aydelott, Joshua ?? Payne, West Watson
Worcester County 9 day of November Anno Domini 1827 then came William Payne and made oath on the Holy Evangelye of Almighty God that the written instrument of writing is the true and whole last will and testament of Wrixham Payne late of Worcester county deceased that ?? came to his hands of possession and that he doth not know of any other.
Before Samuel P. Spence Reg Wills for Worcester County
On the 9th day of November Anno Domini 1827 learned Benjamin P. Aydelott, West Watson and Joshua Payne the three subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of Wrixham Payne late of Worcester County deceased and severally made oaths on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that they did see Wrixham Payne the testator sign and seal this will and that they heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament that at the times of his so doing he was the best of their apprehensions of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding and that they respectively subscribed their names as witness to this will in the presence and at the request of the testator and in the presence of each other.
Before Samuel P. Spence Reg Wills for Worcester County.
Source: Maryland, Worcester. Wills, Liber M.H., 1822-1833, pp. 289-291 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GT1P-4P7.