Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R, James Brayton, [BLANK]
Page 1

Brayton, James
Lucy
Page 2

Jan 15/52
Evi vindicating
Ths J Lapham
Lucy Brayton
(illegible)
Benj. Cowell
Providence
R. I.
J [illegible] Heath, Esq
Commiss of Pensions
Washington
DC
FREE
Page 3

Pension Office 
December 8, 1851
Sir:
The statements in your letter of the 29th of September last, have led to a more careful examination of the testimony filed to sustain Lucy Brayton, widow of James, for the benefit of the Act of July 4,1831, and you are informed that suspicions are now entertained that in the preparation of the papers a fraud has been attempted to be practiced on this Office. The memorandum appended to the affidavit of T. J. Lapham was evidently made very recently, could not have been made by Lippett Eddy who could not write.  But if he could write, falsifies his own statements under oath, at the time he applied for the benefit of the Act July 7 1832.
You are therefore required promptly to give an explanation of the facts so far as they are known to you (illegible) the preparation of the papers [illegible] that we may decide on the course to be pursued in the premises. Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servant
Benjamin Cowell, Esq.
Providence, Rhode Island Comms of Pensions
Page 4

I Thomas J. Lapham of Smithfield County of Providence do testify in relation to the claim of Lucy Brayton widow of James Brayton for a pension. As I have before testified I do now say and declare that the memorandum which was attached to my former affidavit was a true and genuine old paper which I had kept among my papers.
The several names on it were in my own handwriting & taken down at the time about nineteen or twenty years ago. Soon after the Pension Act was passed. This I affirm to be the fact. I remember by brother Levi Lapham was with me when Lippitt Eddy gave me the names. I remember said Lippitt wanted to purchase a piece of land of him and he told my brother he would purchase if he obtained his pension and after he did obtain it, he did purchase it. My brother has since deceased.  At least I so understand it. He went to Little Rock in the State of Arkansas some years ago and I since have heard that he was dead.
Thomas J. Lapham
Page 5

Providence [illegible]
This ninth day of January AD. 1852. personally appeared Thomas Lapham and made oath to the truth of the foregoing instrument by him signed I also certify that the statements of the said Lapham are entitled to full credence.
Before me
Thomas C. Greene
Justice of the Peace
Page 6

Providence Jany 12 1852
Sir
     In further answer to yours of the 8th Oct disputing the supposed fraud of Thomas J. Lapham in the case of Lucy Brayton widow of James I now [illegible] further evidence in his vindication. I felt that it was due to him, to acquaint him with the suspicions entertained against him that he might disabuse himself as to any fraudulent intention and enclosed is the testimony he has requested us to forward to the Department.
Mr Lapham reaffirms what he has before stated in respect to the "memorandum" and has stated another circumstance. The affidavit of Judge Buffum, one of our most respectable citizens bears testimony to his good standing and also states another fact [illegible] to the claim; that he himself was acquainted with James Brayton and has understood he was a soldier of the Revolution.  In addition, there is a statement of a number of respectable citizens, having the same testimony.  This state is [illegible] to
Page 7

To "John Wilson Commissioner of Pensions"
[illegible] mistake Had I seen the paper before it was signed, the mistake would have been corrected. The mistake however is of no consequence - For the character of Judge Buffum I refer you to the Hon John H. Clarke, our Senator. I think Mr Clarke may also be acquainted with Mr. John Osborn one of the signers, President of the Smithfield Union Bank and perhaps with others. The official character of the magistrate has already been certified in this case.
I think Sir the fact that James Brayton the husband of Lucy Brayton served in [illegible] Regiment, cannot reasonably be doubted and at the same time Lippit Eddy [illegible]; but whether is the same Company or not may be uncertain - Nor is the fact alledged by claimant or [illegible] if my recollections serve me - but if it is, it cannot discredit the claim  Standing upon such evidence as this claim does there is no reason why it should not be granted
I am Sir very
Respectfully your Obt Sr
Benja Cowell
Jas E. Heath Esq
Page 8

I Thomas Buffum of Smithfield in the county of Providence do testify and say that I have known Thomas J. Lapham of Smithfield about twenty years and have always known him to be an upright and honest man.  I also know and am acquainted with the gentlemen who have signed the paper hereto annexed.  They are all gentlemen of respectability and standing   They all live in the vicinity of Mr Lapham
     And I further testify that I was acquainted with James Brayton the husband of Lucy Brayton.  he used to work for my father.  I have also heard it said that he was a soldier of the Revolution.
Thos Buffum

Providence [illegible]
     This ninth day of January AD 1852 personally appeared Thomas Buffum and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him signed.  I also certify that the said Thomas has been a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Rhode Island.  and that he has been a senator and is now a representative in the General Assembly of this state.  And I further certify that
Page 9

the statements of the said Buffum are entitled to full credence.
Before me.
Thomas C. Grene
Justice of the Peace
Page 10

To the honorable John Wilson Commissioner of Pensions at Washington Pension Office D.C.  We will give you the Characters & standing of Thomas I. Lapham now a Resident of the Town of Smithfield formerly of Burrillville in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island we have known him for the space of about seventeen years he lives in our neighborhood we believe him to be an honest upright Citizen he is a man of good standing  We believe a man of truth & Veracity & his statements are entitled to Credit he has been appointed to some office in said Town & has discharged the duties of said offices to the Satisfaction of said Town he is a Blacksmith by trade.
Smithfield January 8, 1852
Attest Arnold Speer
David Ide
Spencer Mowry
John Osborne
James Bushee
George Aldrich
(illegible)
Stephen f. Brownell
Christopher Almy
John Burn(illegible)P.M.
Panden Sayles