The second son of Frederick Alexander Payne, he was born at Pentre Ucha, Llanymynech[1] near Oswestry, Shropshire, in December 1849.
[1] At university, Payne was also a rower in his college XI, achieving Head of River in 1872, and at Henley.
[4] Despite playing as a batsman for the MCC, Payne struggled in first-class cricket, scoring just 64 runs at an average of 5.33.
[1] During that time he played at club level for Oswestry (of which he was captain 1881–88)[1] and Baschurch in Shropshire and Llanfyllin in Montgomeryshire, Wales.
[7] Besides coming to own the Pentre Ucha estate, he was resident at Roden Hall, Wellington, Shropshire;[8] Walford Manor, Baschurch, Shropshire[1] and Dudwell House, Burwash, Sussex;[9] Payne married in 1878 Sarah, daughter of Thomas Protheroe of London, by whom he had two daughters.