... Charles received his early education at Hampton-Sidney College, a Presbyterian institution in Hampton Roads, VA, and graduated from Richmond's Union Theological Seminary in 1872; and was ordained a Presbyterian Minister April 17, 1873. He later received a BA from Davidson College in 1878, and his Doctor of Divinity (DD) from Davidson in 1890.
Rev. Payne served at several ministries in Western North Carolina, but sometime in 1872-73, he was sent to serve the Madison Presbyterian Church in Rockingham County, NC. It was there on August 24, 1874 the 32-year old minister met and married 24-year old Caroline Virginia Watkins, daughter of wealthy planter, John Dupuy Watkins of Rockingham County, NC.
In 1874, Rev. Payne was sent to Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC to serve as minister at the Second Presbyterian Church. It was here that he and Carrie would become parents to 2 known children, both of whom would die young: Mary Augusta Payne (1875-1888) and Roberta Lee Payne (1879-1883). On March 17, 1880, his bride of just 6 years died of septicemia, no doubt following complications of the birth of her last child. Carrie's body was returned to her family, who had since removed to Winston-Salem, and she was buried there in the Salem Cemetery. Both the children were taken in by her parents, who cared for them until they died while still very young.
While serving his congregation in Wilmington, the widowed Minister met and married (2nd) Margaret Justice Sparrow, daughter of Major Thomas Sparrow of Washington, NC. Soon after their marriage he accepted the ministry with the First Presbyterian Church in Concord, Cabarrus Co, NC and here he and Maggie had two children: Anne Blackwell Payne (1887-1969) and Thomas Sparrow Payne (1889-1956).
Not long after the move to Concord, Rev. Dr. Payne accepted a position with the Presbyterian Church in Washington, his wife's hometown, and they returned there to the welcome of family, friends, and the community.
On September 13, 1900 Rev. Dr. Payne died of heart failure in Washington, at the age of 58. It was the same day a disastrous fire struck the city and burned from Water, up Market and down both side of Main Street, forever changing the face of Washington.
His second wife, Margaret Sparrow Payne, would survive him 20 years, passing in 1920 at age 79. ...
