Edward Holden Payson
Edward Holden Payson, a prominent banker and active abolitionist, spent his career in banking after starting at a young age in a brokerage office, contributing to the anti-slavery movement and supporting the construction of North Church in Salem.
Edward Holden Payson
Burial Location: Magnolia Path, Lot 42, Grave 6
Edward Holden Payson was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts on December 5, 1803 to parents Lemuel and Joanna Newhall Payson. The family moved to Salem when Edward was a young boy. Edward began his business career in Mr. Fenno’s brokerage office at the age of twelve when his father died. He read widely and was active in the antislavery movement. He was a descendant of Thomas Newhall who arrived in Massachusetts in 1630 with Governor John Winthrop and settled in Lynn Massachusetts.
At the age of 23, Edward Payson accepted a position as a cashier in the First National Bank and worked in banking for the rest of his career until his retirement.
He married Amelia Mellius; their home is known today as the Amelia Payson House.
After he retired, he was a familiar figure on the streets of Salem. He was active in the early anti slavery movement. He was a friend of Caleb Foote and Thomas Stone. He contributed to the building of the North Church in 1834. Payson died on October 26, 1895; his funeral was held at the North Church. This was attended by a large number of his business associates and friends.
Sources Consulted:
- Cemetery Find.com Powered by Docufree
- Find a Grave: findagrave.com/memorial 116585995/ Edward_ Holden_ Payson / citing harmony grove cemetery/Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts
- Salem Evening News Obituaries, October 26 and October 29 1895.
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