Thomas Paine was granted a farm in 1794 by the New York State Legislature amounting to 320 acres in New Rochelle, Westchester just six miles from New York City. He was awarded the land as reward for his service in the Revolutionary War after the land had been confiscated from a British loyalist. Ever since, New Rochelle has been a center for admirers of Paine and his legacy.
A map of the farm granted to Thomas Paine in 1794. The New York State Legislature awarded Paine 320 acres in New Rochelle for his service in the Revolutionary War after confiscating the land from a British loyalist. The map was created by New Rochelle native Walter Beach HumphreyPaine’s New Rochelle Monument is a 12-foot marble column marking his original burial site. Paine’s New Rochelle Monument is a 12-foot marble column marking his original burial site. In 1837, Gilbert Vale, editor of the New York Beacon, started a subscription for the purpose of erecting a monument that was dedicated on May 30th, 1881. Sculptor William Macdonald created the bronze bust that was placed upon the monument on May 30th, 1899 – FlickrA sketch of Paine’s New Rochelle gravesite before the monument was installed in 1881 showing a hickory tree growing from the grave. The image was taken from a newspaper clipping from The Jennings daily record (Jennings, La.), June 19, 1902 – Library of CongressPaine’s New Rochelle Monument lithograph by H. R. Robinson – American Philosophical SocietyAn engraving of Paine’s New Rochelle Monument – Westchester County Historical SocietyThe bronze bust of Paine surmounting the original New Rochelle Monument was modeled by sculptor James Wilson Alexander MacDonald. It was presented to the Thomas Paine Historical Association, and was placed on the capstone of the monument early in 18992025 sign detailing the 1839 Thomas Paine Monument in New Rochelle, installed with collaboration of City historian Barbara Davis, State legislators Paulin and Mayer, and the City of New Rochelle.Thomas Paine Memorial Building in 1925 – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumThomas Paine Memorial Building 1925 sketch by Robert Emmett Owen with permission from the Westchester County Historical SocietyThomas Paine Memorial Building sketch by Robert Emmett – American Philosophical SocietyThomas Paine Memorial Building in winter of 2024Thomas Paine Memorial Building in 2025Thomas Paine Memorial Building insideThomas Paine historical marker in New RochelleThomas Paine Cottage Museum sign – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumThe Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle, New York. The New York State Legislature awarded Paine 320 acres in New Rochelle in 1784 for his service in the Revolutionary War after confiscating the land from a British loyalist. Paine lived in this cottage from 1802 to 1806 – US National Park ServiceThe Thomas Paine Cottage Museum in 2020 – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumThomas Paine Cottage engraving by Robert Emmett Owen – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumFranklin Stove presented to Thomas Paine by Benjamin Franklin now at the Thomas Paine Cottage – American Philosophical SocietyPlaque on the stone wall near the Paine Monument – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumPaine AvenueThe 2.7 acre Paine Lake in winterThe Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona UniversityDisplay at an event for the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona UniversityThe City of New Rochelle has made Paine Day a permanent annual commemoration held on June 8th, the day of Paine’s death in 1809.In 1925, the Thomas Paine Memorial Building construction began as inventor Thomas Alva Edison wields the shovelMayor Henry Clark accepting the Thomas Paine Monument on behalf of the City of New Rochelle in 1905 – Photo by James B. ElliottAmerican writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher Elbert Hubbard at the Paine Centenary Celebration in New Rochelle, NY on June 5, 1909 – Photo by James B. Elliott
