Zadok is supposed to be from the "Eastern shores of Maryland" His ancestors may have been there when it was still Virginia. The family lore is that he left home at 15 to join the militia that was putting down the Whiskey Rebellion. His name hasn't been found on the army roles, however. He is supposed to have taken a white stallion, sold it, and bought 1,000 acres in Lincoln Co, Kentucky, before moving on to Fleming Co, Ky in 1807 where he bought land and stayed the rest of his life. He married Mary VanSandt in 1805 and they had 16 surviving children, possibly 18 altogether. Their surviving childrens' names are Margaret, Melinda, Sarah Van Sandt, John M, Elisha Van Sandt, Alexander William, Mary Ann, Martha Jane, James Van Sandt, Elijah Frances, Alfred Jackson, Jesse C, Madison Monroe, Rebecca, William Sanford, and Janetta.

In "A Early History of Hillsboro" by Rev. H.C. Northcott published on the internet says it all:
"I have heretofore mentioned the Zadock Payne family with their sixteen children, but I feel that special mention be made of these two old people. Mr. Payne was industrious, sober, and economical, while his wife, who was a sister to John Vansant, my brother-in-law, was a genuine woman, much like the one mentioned in Solomons's picture of the model wife and mother. How they fed, clothed, and schooled such a family was a wonder of industry and thrift, for they always seemed to have plenty to eat and were comfortably clad. When services were held at Alum Springs, Mr. Payne was a very old man, handicapped, I suppose by rheumatism and other infirmities. It was a mile from his home, but using two canes, he walked barefoot all the way there, took a seat in the pulpit and seemed to enjoy all the services. Thank the Lord, I now think of him and his noble wife where:
"Age hath no power o'er the fadeless frame
where the eye is fire and the heart is flame
In their home in the sunbright clime."
He and his wife are both buried in the Payne cemetery plot which is in the middle of a field where they lived. A fence has belatedly been put around it because cattle has broken the tombstones and it is very overgrown and cannot be identified as a cemetery. Sam Payne and his sister put these stones together and took a picture of it which I know was no easy undertaking because I have been there.

Beg of page 466 Deed Bk B

These presents, the receipt whereof the said James Christy doth hereby confess and acknowledge, have bargained and sold and do by these presents grant bargain and sell to the said Zadok Payne and to his heirs and assigns forever certain tract or parcel of land containing by survey 162 acres situate lying and being in the aforesaid County of Fleming on both sides of the east fork of Locust Creek being part of Lott#8 one of the lotts of 30,000 acres patented in the name of Littleberry Mosby heir at law to John Mosby Dec'd and bounded as follow (to wit) on the north by the line dividing Lots 7 & 8 on the east by land formerly the property of William Hansford on the South by land formerly the property of Benjamin Northcutt and land that is now the property of John Walton and on the west by the tract of land on which John Lyon now lives To have and to hold the aforesaid 166 acres of land with all the appurtenances to the said Zadok Payne and to his heirs and assigns forever and the said James Christy for himself his heirs executors and administrators doth covenant and agree with him the said Zadok Payne and his heirs that him the said James Christy and his heirs will and shall warrant and forever defend the land and premises hereby conveyed and every part and parcel thereof with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining to the said Zadok Payne and to his heirs and assigns forever from the claim of him the said James Christy and his heirs and all and every other person or persons whatsoever claiming or pretending to claim any right title or interest thereto. IN testimony whereof the said James Christy hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and date first above written.
Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of James Christy

End of page 466

Beg of page 467
Fleming County Sct..
I Joshua Stockton Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing indenture of Bargain and sale from James Christy to Zadock Payne was this day produced before me and acknowledged according to law and is together with this certificate duly recorded in my office. Given under my hand the 3rd day of April 1809. Joshua Stockton