Robert Paine Papers, 1828-1882

Creator:

Andrew, James O. (James Osgood), 1794-1871, Soule, Joshua, 1781-1867, Pierce, George F. (George Foster), 1811-1884, Early, John, 1786-1873, M'Kendree, William, 1757-1835, Paine, Robert, 1799-1882, McTyeire, Holland Nimmons, 1824-1889, Capers, William, 1790-1855, and Keener, John Christian, 1819-1906

Description / Abstract:

Robert Paine was an educator and Methodist bishop in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1821, he was ordained as deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church and then, in 1823, as elder. He served as the president of La Grange College from 1829-1846. Paine is most notably known for his role as a founding member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In the years leading up to the Civil War, the Methodist Episcopal Church was divided over the issue of slavery. When it became evident that the church would be unable to reach a consensus over the issue of slavery, Paine helped draft a “Plan of Separation” which allowed the annual conferences in slave holding states to separate from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Following this split, Paine was ordained a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (alongside William Capers) in 1846. The collection consists of 79 letters, 78 of which were sent to Robert Paine by 22 different senders, all dated after his ordination as bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The letters represent correspondence among the leadership during the early period of the denomination.

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