Reverend Francis Paynter
(1836-1908)
12 August 1861

Volume 4, page 346, sitting number 5455.

Reverend Francis Paynter was the Rector of Stoke-next-Guildford. He died on 13 January 1908. 

An obituary appeared in the Chelmsford Chronicle (17 January 1908) under the heading 'Clergyman worth £70,000 a year.' 

'The Rev. Francis Paynter, of Stoke Hill, Guildford, father of the Rev. Francis S. Paynter, rector of Springfield, died on Monday morning at Stoke Hill. The deceased gentleman would have been 72 years of age in a few days. He had not long been ill. His son, the Rector of Springfield, received a telegram announcing his illness on Sunday morning, and at once went to Guildford.

'The Rev. Francis Faynter was rector of Stoke Hill for 34 years. He retired from the living some years ago, and continued to reside in the parish. He often visited Springfield and preached in the church there, and did so as recently as a month ago. He was a fine, handsome man, with snow-white hair. Mr Paynter was a generous subscriber to local objects, and was largely instrumental in the erection of several churches and schools in newly formed parishes. As a temperance reformer he built missions and coffee taverns. His father held the living before him. He leaves a widow, two sons, and two daughters. The deceased was said to own land worth £70,000 a year.'

He left an estate valued at £43,814.