The home of General John Payne is one of the oldest houses in Kentucky. It is located about two miles west of Georgetown on the Frankfort-Georgetown Pike (U.S. 460) and one mile east of Great Crossing.

Erected about 1790, it is an excellent example Kentucky's "stone age" architecture. This 11-room colonial residence was built by Gen. John Payne who was born April 8, 1764, in Fairfax County, Virginia, the only son of William Payne Sr. and his second wife, Ann Jennings.

After settling in Scott County (around 1786) Payne served in the state militia and commanded a company in Scott's campaign against the Indians in 1791. In 1812 he was commissioned a brigadier general in the 2nd Brigade of the Kentucky Militia and commanded the Kentucky Light Dragoons, attached to Col. Richard M. Johnson's regiment of mounted infantry in the Battle of the Thames. He participated in several other major battles in the War of 1812.

John Payne married Miss Betsy Johnson on April 10, 1782. She was the oldest daughter of Col. Robert Johnson, a Revolutionary soldier who built Johnson's Station near Great Crossing.

General Payne was a state senator from Scott County from 1830 to 1832. He died at his house on September 9, 1837, and is buried with his wife in the family graveyard on the place.

Col. Asa Payne, son of the general and also a soldier in the War of 1812, resided on a large farm near Payne's Depot, which is named for the family."

Also on the Scott County Site under "War of 1812" you will find mention of Gen John's service from B.O. Gaines' History of Scott County, KY, Vol. I, page 25.

At that Site you will also find he and our Zadok listed in the Scott County, KY 1800 Tax List.

Incidentally Scott County wasn't formed until 1792 out of part of Woodford County. As John settled in 1786 there may be some records of him in Woodford.

--Sam Payne