Christopher Payne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher H. Payne
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| Born | September 7, 1845 |
| Died | December 5, 1925 (aged 80) |
| Occupation | minister, journalist, politician |
| Political party | Republican |
| Religion | Baptist |
Christopher Harrison Payne (1845–1925) was an important leader in religion, education, and politics. He lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was born in the Southern United States when slavery was still happening. Even so, he became very successful. One of his biggest achievements was being the first African American elected to the West Virginia Legislature.
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Early Life and Education
Christopher Payne was born in Monroe County, Virginia (which is now West Virginia), on September 7, 1845. His parents, Thomas Payne and Barsheba Ellison, were both free Black people. Christopher was their only child. His father, Thomas, who moved cattle for a living, died when Christopher was only two years old.
Christopher's mother, Barsheba, was taught to read and write by her own father, James Ellison. James Ellison was a slaveholder who made sure Barsheba and her mother, Fanny, would be freed after his wife passed away. Barsheba then taught Christopher to read and write when he was very young. Education was always very important to the Payne family.
During the American Civil War, Christopher Payne was forced to work as an orderly for the Confederate Army. After the war ended in 1864, he was able to go home. He started his formal education by attending night school. During the day, he worked on a farm.
In 1868, he earned a teaching certificate. This made him one of the first Black teachers in Summers County, West Virginia. He continued to teach and farm until 1875.
Becoming a Religious Leader
In 1875, Christopher Payne was baptized. He was given permission to preach in February 1876. Then, in May 1877, he officially became a Baptist minister.
After becoming a minister, he started the Second Baptist Church in Hinton, West Virginia. He also led many other churches. People said he gave over 1,500 sermons and helped 500 people become religious. He studied at the Richmond Theological Institute and State University, which is now Virginia Union University. Christopher Payne was in charge of the West Virginia Baptist state convention for 16 years. He even spoke at national meetings for white Baptists many times.
Starting Newspapers
Christopher Payne started three newspapers in West Virginia. These were the West Virginia Enterprise, The Pioneer, and Mountain Eagle. When the West Virginia Enterprise began, it was the only Black newspaper in West Virginia.
He also wrote for other newspapers, including some for the white community. Payne used these newspapers to push for equal rights for all races. He also encouraged other Black people to improve their lives through education. He wanted them to buy their own land and homes.
A Career in Politics
Christopher Payne became well-known among both Black and white communities. Because of this, he was chosen to be a delegate (a representative) for the Republican national convention in 1884. He was also a regular delegate at the 1888 Republican national convention. At that meeting, Benjamin Harrison was chosen to run for President of the United States.
Leaders in West Virginia wanted Payne to become the Ambassador to Liberia. Instead, he was appointed as a Deputy Collector for the United States Internal Revenue Service in Charleston, West Virginia. This job involved collecting taxes.
Along with Byrd Prillerman, another important African American leader, Payne convinced the West Virginia Legislature to create the West Virginia Colored Institute in 1891. This school is now known as West Virginia State University.
In 1896, Christopher Payne was elected to the West Virginia legislature. This was a big moment, as he was the first Black person to serve in that elected group. During the Spanish–American War in 1898, Payne helped create a volunteer Black army group. He made sure they arrived at the wartime camp called Camp Atkinson.
Becoming an Attorney
Christopher Payne also studied law. In 1889, he was allowed to practice law in West Virginia. This made him one of the first Black lawyers in the state.
Serving as an Ambassador
Because he was so loyal to the Republican party, United States President Theodore Roosevelt chose Payne to be the Consul General to the Danish West Indies in 1903. This was a very special job for an African American person at that time. A Consul General represents their country in another country.
Working with the NAACP
Payne also worked with the NAACP. He was part of the planning committee for the important 1917 Negro Silent Protest Parade. This parade was a silent protest against racial injustice.
Family Life
Christopher Payne married Ann Delilah Hargo when he was young. They had eight children together. His youngest son, Christopher Hansen Payne (1881–1914), also became successful. He graduated from Howard University and became a doctor. He worked as a doctor in Hinton, West Virginia, until he passed away at a young age in 1914.
Here are the names of Christopher Payne's children:
- Arabella Geneva Payne, 1860–1930
- Lewis W. Payne, 1862–1927
- Martha Adelaide Payne, 1866–1944
- Mary Jane Payne, 1869–1932
- James Robert Payne, 1872–1943
- Charles Henry Payne, 1874–1950
- Cyrus Alexander Payne, 1877–1944
- Christopher Hansen Payne, 1881–1914
Later Life and Legacy
Christopher Payne stayed in the Danish West Indies even after they were sold to the United States in 1917. These islands then became the United States Virgin Islands. After the consulate (the office where he worked as Consul General) closed, he became a prosecuting attorney and a police judge in St. Thomas. St. Thomas is the capital of the Virgin Islands.
Christopher Payne passed away in the Virgin Islands on December 5, 1925. He was eighty years old.
