Nothing has been easy for Thomas Paine, the Revolutionary War patriot, agitator and pamphleteer, since New York State awarded him 277 acres here in 1784.

Residents in what was a Tory stronghold disdained him. He was prevented from voting and branded an atheist. Finally, he retreated to Manhattan, where he died in 1809, childless, scorned and impoverished. Ten years later, his body was exhumed from his farm and shipped to England by a zealous supporter who hoped that Paine would be accorded more respect. Instead, legend has it that some of his bones were recycled into buttons, and others were either tossed into the garbage or lost to history. On the other hand, specific pieces said to be parts of his body include a skull owned by a family in Australia.

Now, however, this suburb in Westchester County has decided that the man who wrote, ''These are the times that try men's souls,'' should finally be allowed to rest in peace. And the city is mounting a concerted attempt to right old wrongs all the way down to attempting to bring the head, and whatever else may remain of Paine, back home for a proper burial.

''His picture should be up there with the founding fathers,'' said Brian McCartin, executive director of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association here. ''Why isn't it? Because he's dangerous. But the bones, because of their unique and borderline bizarre nature -- hopefully, that will get people interested in Paine first, and then make them realize that he was a true visionary.''