PAYNE, John, P. E. bishop, born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, 9 January, 1815: died there, 23 October, 1874. He was graduated at William and Mary in 1833, and at the theological seminary at Alexandria, Virginia, in 1836. He was ordained deacon in Christ church, Alexandria, 17 July, 1836, by the bishop, Richard C. Moore, and took his departure at once for western Africa, where he served as a missionary for nearly five years. He then returned to the United States both to obtain rest and improvement in his health and also to be ordained priest. Bishop Moore admitted him to priest's orders in St. George's church, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 18 July, 1841. He received the degree of D. D. from William and Mary in 1851, and was consecrated bishop of Cape Palmas and parts adjacent in Christ church, Alexandria, , 11 July, 1851. After a long and arduous service of nearly twenty years on the coast of western Africa, Bishop Payne returned to the United States in 1871, completely broken in health and strength. He sent in his resignation to the house of bishops, which was accepted in October of that year. He made no contributions to literature beyond letters, reports, etc., connected with his missionary work.