The New Student's Reference Work/Paine, Robert Treat

Paine, Robert Treat, an American statesman, was born at Boston, March 11, 1731. He was a graduate of Harvard and a student of theology and law. He was chaplain in 1755 of the provincial army of the northern border, and became prominent in the contests preceding the Revolution, being a delegate of the convention called in 1768 at Boston and in 1770 managing the prosecution of Captain Preston for firing on the people. He was a member of the General assembly of Massachusetts in 1773 and 1774 and of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1778, and also signed the Declaration of Independence. He was judge of the supreme court of Massachusetts and attorney-general for ten years He died at Boston, May 11, 1814.