Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Robert Treat Paine (March 11, 1731 May 11, 1814) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence as a representative of Massachusetts. aine attended the Boston Latin School, and at the early age of fourteen, he became a member of Harvard College from which instution he graduated from in 1749 at age 14. He then was engaged in teaching school for several years at Lunenburg, Massachusetts before yielding to family tradition and entering the ministry. Previous to his commencing the study of law, he devoted some time to the subject of theology. He began the study of law in 1756 and he was admitted to the bar in 1757 being qualified for the practice of law. He first established his law pratice at Portland (then part of Massachusetts but now in Maine), and later in Taunton, Massachusetts, where he resided for many years.