Lemuel Paynter

Lemuel Paynter (1788 – August 1, 1863) was an American War of 1812 veteran and Democratic politician who represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1837 to 1841. He was born in 1788 in Lewes, Delaware. Little is recorded about his early family background or youth, but as a young man he left Delaware and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he would spend the remainder of his life and build a career in public service.

In Philadelphia, Paynter entered military service during the War of 1812. He served in the Pennsylvania Militia and rose through the ranks to become major and then lieutenant colonel of the Ninety-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia. His wartime experience and leadership in the militia helped establish his standing in the community and provided a foundation for his later involvement in local and state government.

Following the war, Paynter became deeply engaged in the civic affairs of the Southwark district of Philadelphia, then a separate municipal district. He served for many years as a member of the board of commissioners of the Southwark district, eventually becoming president of the board. In addition to his work as a commissioner, he was a member of the guardians of the poor, reflecting his involvement in the administration of public welfare, and he also served as a school director, contributing to the oversight of local education. His growing prominence in local affairs led to his election to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1833, marking his entry into statewide legislative service.

Paynter’s state-level experience and Democratic Party affiliation positioned him for national office. As a member of the Democratic Party representing Pennsylvania, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat to the Twenty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839) and was reelected to the Twenty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841). His two terms in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, encompassing the later years of the Jacksonian era and the presidency of Martin Van Buren. During this time, he participated in the legislative process, representing the interests of his Pennsylvania constituents and contributing to the broader democratic governance of the nation. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1840 and thus concluded his congressional service at the end of his second term.

After leaving Congress, Paynter returned to local public life in Philadelphia. He again served as a member of the board of commissioners of the Southwark district, resuming his earlier role in municipal governance. Through this continued service, he maintained his longstanding involvement in the civic and administrative affairs of his community, particularly in a period when Philadelphia and its surrounding districts were experiencing growth and institutional change.

Lemuel Paynter died in Philadelphia on August 1, 1863. He was originally interred in Union Sixth Street Cemetery in Philadelphia. When that cemetery was closed in 1971, his remains were moved to Philadelphia Memorial Park in Frazer, Pennsylvania. His career encompassed military service in the War of 1812, local and state office, and two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, reflecting a life devoted to public service at multiple levels of government.