Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2 - Группа авторов - Страница 13

Thomas Paine, the noted political and philosophical writer, is identified with Westchester county by the fact that for his Revolutionary services the state of New York granted him five hundred acres of land in New Rochelle, where he resided part of the time after his return to the United States, in 1802. Paine was a native of Thetford, Norfolk, England, born January 29, 1737, and died in New York city, June 8, 1809. His parentage was humble and his educational opportunities limited. For a 'time he preached occasionally as a dissenting minister, and in, 1774, at the suggestion of Franklin, came to America. He soon became known as a writer of uncommon force and logic and an opponent of slavery. His celebrated pamphlet, "Common Sense," in which he advocated the independence of the colonies, was published in January, 1776, and had an extraordinary influence in disseminating republican ideas. His subsequent publications were of inestimable benefit to the patriotic cause. He was outlawed in England, for his celebrated "Rights of Man," which appeared in 1771, in answer to Burke's " Reflections on the French Revolution," and in September, 1792, was elected a member of the French National Convention. In consequence of his outspoken opposition to the execution of Louis XVI, he narrowly escaped being put to death during the Reign of Terror. His remains were taken to England in 1819 by William Cobbett. A monument was erected to his memory in 1839, near his original burial-place in New Rochelle. By reason of his philosophical writings, which were interpreted as grossly "infidel," Paine's memory has been greatly maligned in the past, but it is gratifying to note that in later years a more just estimate is being held of "the author hero of the Revolution."