Alexander Payne

Alexander Payne (1742-1819). We have previously mentioned Alexander Paine or Payne as a former Methodist preacher who joined the Bourton church in the Autumn of 1775, the same year that he was baptised at Fairford by Thomas Davis. (The baptism date we discover was November 19). A cooper by trade, he was apparently a member of Stow but became a member at Bourton and was recommended to the Bewdley and then the Bengeworth church as a person "whose life, conversation, temper, and experience, entitled him with regard of any religious society," with whom he might be connected. It was through Lawrence Butterworth at Bengeworth that Payne had come to Baptist convictions.

This must have happened, as suggested, in 1778, though the call did not come until November, 1780, there clearly being some doubts over his suitability. The church at Bewdley decided not to call him but he eventually became minister at Bengeworth from November 1780. Some five years later, however, on May 29, 1785, he joined the Walgrave Church, midway between Kettering and Northampton on the recommendation of John Ryland. He followed John Ayer (1714-1822) and was ordained on July 6, 1785, with John Evans, John Sutcliff, John Ryland, Jr, and Andrew Fuller attending. (Previous to Ayer 1773-1785, the minister had been Moses Deacon c 1732-1773).

A new chapel was built at Walgrave in 1786, with Fuller and Ryland preaching at its opening. Payne remained at Walgrave for 33 years, and during his ministry a number of men were called to preach among the Baptists. These include Richard Mabbutt, the Barker brothers Stephen and John, Richard Cox, Stephen Clarke, Richard Clarke and men surnamed Ward, Reeve and Deacon. He died on February 13, 1819 having preached his last sermon on January 31 on Job 30:23. He appears to have been the author of a commentary on Deuteronomy. His wife's name was Mary Dyer. His son George was a minister in Edinburgh. (See W A Wicks Concise History of the Baptist Church, Walgrave Northampton: Taylor & Son, 1892, 21-23.)