Thomas Paine

     Thomas Paine was born circa 1613 at probably Kent, England. He was the son of Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine married Mary Snow, daughter of Nicholas Snow and Constance Hopkins, say 1650.¹ Thomas Paine died on 16 August 1706 at Eastham, Barnstable Co, Massachusetts.
     Thomas Paine settled in the part of Eastham that is now Orleans, on the place at the head of the cove. By trade, Thomas was a cooper, but he appers to have had a knowledge of other crafts, for he built several gristmills in the county. He became a leading man in the young settlement, and was shortly called in public service. He was chosen a deputy to the Old Colony Court in 1664, and served also in 1671-3, 1676, 1678, 1680-1, and 1690. In 1671 he was chosen to be Water Bailiff for the Colony. In 1674 he was Constable of Eastham, also representing Eastham in the General Court at Boston in 1696. On 14 March 1696 he purchased a house in Boston from Thomas Stableford and resided there, but in 1697 he sold it to Eleazer Darby, and returned to Eastham where he retired from public service. At the time of his death in 1706, it was said he was 94 years old, although there is some doubt.