PAINE, Thomas (1737-1809). Autograph letter signed ("Thomas Paine") to John Fellows, New Rochelle, 9 July 1804. One page, 204 x 160mm, with holograph notes on the verso in an unknown hand as well as that of Paine's biographer, Thomas 'Clio' Rickman (1761-1834). Thomas Paine invites a friend to his farm to discuss a plan to "enlarge and give establishment to the Deistical Church." Written shortly after his return to America following fifteen years in Europe where he would manage to alienate a large body of the American public with the publication of his controversial volume, The Age of Reason . Upon his arrival in America in between 1803 and 1804, Paine settled in New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York, on a farm, confiscated from a Loyalist, that the State of New York had presented to Paine in 1784 for his services during the Revolution. Citing the growing heat of the city as an excuse for his correspondent to "get out of Town" and settle outstanding accounts, as well as to discuss philosophical matters. Paine encloses "a piece for the prospect [not present]," adding "If the plan mentioned in it is pursued it will open a way to enlarge and give establishment to the Deistical Church." The "prospect" Paine mentioned is most likely one of his 1804 "Prospect Papers" which he published in the journal of the Theistic Society, The Prospect, or View of the Moral World, edited by Elihu Palmer. On the verso, an unknown hand (possibly Fellows) adds a docket, written on the occasion of Paine's death in 1809: "New York June 10 1809 – Died, on the 8. Inst. Thos. Paine" and noting that Paine had tried to have himself buried in the Quaker burial ground, but was refused when he declined to renounce his Deistic beliefs, and concluding that although he was not aware of Paine's age, concluded that "he had lived long, done some good, and much harm ." In addition, his biographer, Thomas Rickman has added his own note, dated 1824, identifying the letter as in "The hand writing of my old friend Paine (see my life of him) author of Rights of Man, Age of Reason – Common Sense, ".
PAINE, Thomas (1737-1809). Autograph letter signed ("Thomas Paine") to John Fellows, New Rochelle, 9 July 1804. One page, 204 x 160mm, with holograph notes on the verso in an unknown hand as well as that of Paine's biographer, Thomas 'Clio' Rickman (1761-1834). Thomas Paine invites a friend to his farm to discuss a plan to "enlarge and give establishment to the Deistical Church." Written shortly after his return to America following fifteen years in Europe where he would manage to alienate a large body of the American public with the publication of his controversial volume, The Age of Reason . Upon his arrival in America in between 1803 and 1804, Paine settled in New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York, on a farm, confiscated from a Loyalist, that the State of New York had presented to Paine in 1784 for his services during the Revolution. Citing the growing heat of the city as an excuse for his correspondent to "get out of Town" and settle outstanding accounts, as well as to discuss philosophical matters. Paine encloses "a piece for the prospect [not present]," adding "If the plan mentioned in it is pursued it will open a way to enlarge and give establishment to the Deistical Church." The "prospect" Paine mentioned is most likely one of his 1804 "Prospect Papers" which he published in the journal of the Theistic Society, The Prospect, or View of the Moral World, edited by Elihu Palmer. On the verso, an unknown hand (possibly Fellows) adds a docket, written on the occasion of Paine's death in 1809: "New York June 10 1809 – Died, on the 8. Inst. Thos. Paine" and noting that Paine had tried to have himself buried in the Quaker burial ground, but was refused when he declined to renounce his Deistic beliefs, and concluding that although he was not aware of Paine's age, concluded that "he had lived long, done some good, and much harm ." In addition, his biographer, Thomas Rickman has added his own note, dated 1824, identifying the letter as in "The hand writing of my old friend Paine (see my life of him) author of Rights of Man, Age of Reason – Common Sense, ".
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