Robert Treat Paine

Robert Treat Paine, a distinguished patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in 1731 in Boston, Massachusetts into a religious and honored family. His father was a clergyman, and his mother was the daughter of the Reverend Mr. Treat. Robert's grandfather was also Governor Treat of Connecticut.

Robert enjoyed the benefits of an early moral education and the advantage of being tutored. He entered Harvard College at the age of 14 and graduated with honors. He taught school after graduating and then took a voyage to Europe. Upon his return he began to study for the ministry and held the position of chaplain in the military. He soon left theology and embarked on the study of law.

Robert opened a law practice in Boston but soon moved it to Taunton. There he became involved in the fight against the Stamp Act. Although he was involved in the cause of liberty, he acted so prudently that he did not lose the confidence of the Governor. Paine was called as a delegate from Taunton to attend a provincial Convention in 1768. When Captain Thomas Preston and his men were being tried in 1770 for the Boston Massacre, the District Attorney became ill, and Robert was chosen to substitute for him. He handled the case with great ability. Captain Preston was acquitted because there was no proof that he ordered his troops to shoot, but two of his men were later convicted of killing citizens of Boston. Paine was a member of the commission appointed to conduct the proceedings in the impeachment of Chief Justice Oliver. Oliver was impeached because he received his salary from England and not from the people.

Paine was selected as a delegate to the General Congress and was appointed by that congress in 1774 as one of the three people to visit and observe the army of General Schuyler. John Adams was appointed Chief Justice for Massachusetts that same year, and Paine was selected as a side judge. He declined the appointment. That December he was again elected to attend the General Congress. He voted on July 4, 1776, for the Declaration of Independence and later signed it.

Robert was appointed as Attorney General of Massachusetts in 1777 and held that office until 1790 when he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court. He was part of the convention to frame the Constitution of his state, adopted in 1780.

Robert married Sarah/Sally Cobb about 1770, and the couple was blessed with four sons and four daughters. The three older sons, Robert Treat, Thomas, and Charles studied law while the youngest son Henry studied commercial business. After unmarried Robert Treat Paine, Jr., died of yellow fever in 1798, his next younger brother Thomas had his named changed to Robert Treat Paine, Jr. This young man brought both disappointment and unhappiness to his parents and was driven from the home of his parents because he married the daughter of theatrical people. When this son died, his parents took his widow and three children into their home.
Paine served as a judge for 14 years before retiring in 1804 due to infirmities of age. He died at age 84 in 1814.