Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,367, Freeborn Brayton, R.I.

SERVICE R.S.
Brayton, Freeborn Mary
NUMBER W.14,367
CONTENTS

Rhode Island 1802
Mary Brayton
widow of Freeborn Brayton
who died on the 1. January 1813 of Providence in the State of R. Island who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Knight of the Reg't commanded by Col. Cornell in the R. I. line for 9 months
R. I.
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Feb. 1838 and sent to Hon. N. R. Knight, Senate
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r '37 195.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar ch '38. 15.00
$ 210.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk.
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 82

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this ninth day of November A.D. 1836 Personally appeared before me Benjamin Lowell chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County aforesaid Marcy Brayton a resident in Cranston Scituate in said County aged 83 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision of the act of longers passed July 4 th 1836 - That She is the widow of Freeborn Brayton who was a soldier in the war of the revolu- tion, that he served as a private in Capt Jonathan Knights Company also in Capt Ruffs & Col Cornells regiment of Rhode Island Militia at various times & places but it is out of her power to specify them, she therefore refers to the evidence of those who were knowing to his said services for their amount - True she further declares that she was married to the said Freeborn in the Town of Country on the 12 th day of March 1775

but the only record she has of her marriage is the family record hereto annexed she does not know whether it is recorded in the public records of Coventry or not - And she further declares that her husband the said Freeborn died on the first day of January A.D. 1813 and that she has remained unmarried ever since that period wherefore she requests that the same pension which would have belonged to her said husband under the act of June 7 th 1832 if living may be extended to her -
Attest Berya Lowell Mercy Brayton mark
Providence
In Cranston November 9 1836
I have been & subscribed before me and I further certify said Mercy from old age & infirmity is too feeble to attend Court Berya Lowell
B. J. C. C. Mear

I Israel Brayton of Scituate in the County of Providence being now fifty three years of age on oath do testify and say that Mercy Brayton who has signed the preceding declaration is my mother & the said Freedom Brayton was my father. My father died January 1 st A D 1813 in said Cranston and my mother has remained un- married ever since that period & is now my father's widow
Providence
Israel Brayton
In Cranston November 9 1836
Sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify said Israel is a credible witness
Benjamin Correll Esq. C. C. M.

John Tillinghast Breyton in Cranstone laer
Belong

A Record of the Births Marriage and Deaths of M c Freeborn Brayton's Family
M c Freeborn Brayton born Sept r 12 th O.S. A D 1748
Miss Marcy Colvin born Aug t 30 th N.S. A D 1753
Both Married March 12 th A D 1775.
Lucy Brayton born August 26 th A D 1775.
Stephen Brayton born January 12 th A D 1777.
Israel Brayton born November 10 th A D 1778 and departed this Life October 26 th A D 1780.
Frances Brayton born January 19 th A D 1781.
Israel Brayton born February 17 th A D 1783.
Sarah Tilinghaft Brayton born Apr l 3 rd A D 1785
Mary Wanton Brayton born Mar ch 7 th A D 1788.
George Freeborn Brayton, born, march 5 th 1790
Susanna Hull Brayton born dec r 26 th A D 1798

Francis Brayton Sen r born Apr l 12 th OS AD 1720. and departed this Life May 7 th NS AD 1784.
1836 1720 116

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1436 m Mary Branton Wid f Frederick Branton Rev. Rev. War.
Act: July 4 th  1836.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 89.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1351.
Suspended
Set. to B. Bowell 30 may '37 " Hrs. N.R. Knight 30 Jan'y '38

Freborn Branton
Young - says he was In W. in the following Truss.
77. Spring - Knight Capt.
Warwick Mo.
" fall " "
Tipton - 200
78 aug. " "
R. Id 1.c
Burlingham
1 tour in 70 & 71 as private in fall of 77.
Ralph Corp! Knights Co - testified to two months only.

Feb 1.
Mr. Whitmarsh Theoborn Brayton
Mary Brayton Roxland
4 July 1836
J. Edwards Esq
Am N.R. Knight Senate US
Commonwealth
diploma

Feb'y 1. 1838
Dear Sir
Yours of the 30 th of Jan'y has been recd. Will you send me a copy of the diploma for Mrs. Whitman. I will enclose it to her with an explanation of the reasons why she cannot have the original.
Will you send me also the  all the papers in the case of Mrs. Freeborn Donayton. I am satisfied in my own mind that she comes within the law, but whether she has proved the facts or can do so, remains to be seen.
Respectfully yours
KP Wright
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm d . pensions
P.S. I will return the papers after perusal

Mrs Brayton -
Hon. N. R. Knight Seabrook

I Stephen Young of Scituate in the County of Providence being now seventy nine years of age & upwards on oath do testify & say that about year ago I believe I gave a deposition in behalf of Marcy Brayton widow of Freeborn Brayton setting forth according to my best recollection the services which the said Freeborn performed during the war of the rebellion & believe I stated in my deposition that said Freeborn was Quarters Master. I did not mean to be understood that he was Quarters Master by any regular appoint- ment but he acted as such & this I know to have been the fact at the time he & myself were together in Capt Jonathan Knights Company at the time mentioned and I further testify that I well remember that in Spencers expedition in the fall

of 1861. he served a month stationed at Lincoln. I was not in same Company at that time but I know of his being there. I saw him there, I was at that time in Col Brays regiment. & an enlisted sol- -dier. I knew said Frederick Bragton well. he was a Blacksmith by trade I well remember he told me once that he never had & that he never would hire any substitute. to perform his drafts or times of duty - and he always went when it came to his turn, but how many times of duty he did I cannot say but he per- -formed as much as any other man who belonged to the Militia Stephen Young
Resident in City of Providence Nov 25 1883 Sworn to & subscribed before me by the said Stephen Young and I further certify he is a credible witness Benjamin F. Dorr C. of C. Mass

State of Rhode Island & c Providence sc. I Dexter Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within for the County of Providence, being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Benjamin Lowell Esq before whom the within affidavit was sworn is the chief justice of said court; That by Law he duly authorised and empowered to administer oaths and take Depositions and that his signature within written is genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence this 27 th day of December A D 1857.
Dexter Randall Clerk

Mr. Edwards
I have made a synopsis of the testimony in the case of Mrs. Brayton, which I beg of you to examine - it appears to me there is not a doubt of the justice and legality of her claim, that it is fully and satisfactorily proved.
Respectfully yours J. P. Wright
Feb'y 8. 1838
please to return by the messenger my receipt for these papers -

In the case of Mr. Freeman Brayton
2 months service at the celebrated "expedition" of Spencer & Sullivan proved by several all the witnesses
1 month d o at Bristol in Decem r 1778 } proved by the testimony of Capt. Purdie Brinsley
X 2 months at Warwick in the fall of 1777 X there was no such service as a two months service Major Thomas Welch testifies to two months service in the winter of 1777 at Warwick & is probably the same service proved by Capt. Brinsley
2 months service in the Town of Providence in Capt. Williams company proved by Wm. Roberts - He saw him also stationed at Gorton's barn in Warwick
1 month's service in May 1777 in Warwick proved by Christopher Samuel Eldred & Stephen Young - stationed at Lippitt's Barn
Colegrove swears he was with Mr. Brayton at Bristol one month & at Warwick also probably the same service as proved above
2 months 10 months service proved beyond all doubt
M rs Brayton testifies on the 10 th of Nov r 1778 her husband was absent & also in 1779 part of July & August - The facts connected with her statement show there cannot be any mistake - (Allow only two months service in both those years) - She also states for three or four years her absent husband was absent four months in each year all the witnesses corroborate her statement
It appears to me

that the case of Mr. Brayton is proved fully completely & satisfactorily as human testimony can do it - a longer time of service is proved by comparing dates of service but admitting that some of the witnesses may be mistaken in regard to the date of the year - yet ten months service is fully made out beyond the possibility of a mistake by allowing five months only for the time of service stated by Mr. Brayton
Mr. Edwards

Mary Branton widow of Freeborn Branton Who formerly served in the war of the Revolution maketh further out in addition to her first declaration she declares that it is impossible for her to specify all the times her husband served in said war after their Marriage which was performed March the 12. in the year 1775 according to reco- =rd. She well remembers her Husband was about the 10 day of November 1778 for on that day her third child was born she also remembers he was absent the summer following a part of July and August for she worked in the field pulled flax and cut the rye she made a bed of the flax for her child he took cold and never was well afterwards She suffered much in consequence of her husband =s absence her said husband was absent in the service a great part of the time, he usu- =ally served a Month at a time for three or four years he was absent four months in a year he was drafted a Month at a time also also called out several times in alarm two or three times , days at a time nor does she know of any further testimony than what she has produced, Most all those who were acquaint- =ed with her said husband & his services are dead and since her first declaration was Ma- =de several of the Witnesses who then testified in her behalf are dead Samuel Ploined William Roberts & Thomas Ralph and dead so she can =not have any further benefit of their testimony but her husband's services was such as so been proved that she is entitled to a pension & she requests that it may be granted to her
Attest Jerry G. Wright Mary E. Wright
Mary her J Branton

= not have any further benefit of their testimony, but her husband's services was such as so been proved that she is entitled to a pension, & she requests that it may be granted to her
attest Gervy S. Knight      Mercy her      † Brayton Mary S. Knight      mark
State of Rhode Island &c
Received of Mr. Greenstreet December 16 - 1837
Personally came Nancy Bragdon Suborne her to the aforegoing declaration and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
We love Mr Garry & Wright parting the class.
The Manner in Which the above declaration was recited by the Worthy Woman the affecting way in Which she spoke of Many little Incidents of her own and her family's sufferings during her husband's absence gave evidence of a perfect Prelate. I have been acquainted with her for many years and have always considered her to be a woman of veracity and is so consid- ered by her Neighbours and acquaintances This I certify under my oath of office
Very S. Wright quito of the sea.

State of Rhode Island ss
Providence ss I Dexter Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Perry G. Knight Esq. before whom the within affidavit was sworn is a justice of the peace within and for said County in the Town of Cranston. That he is by Law duly authorised and empowered to administer oaths and take depositions and that his signature within written is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence this 27 th day of December AD 1838
Dexter Randall Clerk

Mercy Brayton v1351 widow of Freeborn
adm d 9 mo. pri 30
Sen. N. R. Knight Senate

I Lodowick Brayton of Cranston in the County of Providence being now 67 years of age on oath do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Mary Brayton widow of Freeborn Brayton formerly of Cranston Cranston aforesaid. I remember well when they were married & was present at the wedding I was then about seven years of age - They were married in Coventry according to my best recollection in March 1775, the exact day I do not remember but I will remember the fact of their marriage
Lodowick Brayton
Providence
In Cranston Nov 9 th 1836
Sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify said deponent is a credible witness in the premises
Benja Lowell C. J. C. C. Pheas

S. Young Disquisition on Mrs. Brayton

I Stephen Young of Scituate, in the county of Providence aged 78 years do say on solemn oath; that I was acquainted with Freeborn Brayton late of said Scituate in the time of the revolution - I saw said Brayton on duty in the Rhode Island Militia, at Warwick, in Capt Jonathan Knights company and Col John Waterman's Regiment in the Spring of the year and part of summer, of 1777 he was stationed when I saw him at Thomas Lifestits barn - in Warwick this was a term of one month, which He served out, I was on duty at same place but not in same company - I also saw said Brayton on duty, in the same company stationed at Kingston in the time of Spencer's expedition in the fall of 1777 I think in October, he was there on a draft for twenty days as I think  one month , which he served out under General Eschiel Cornell; I was then on duty at same place in Capt Caleb Cavan's Company, under Col Crary - I also saw said Brayton in Subicous expedition on duty in said Capt Knights Company in August 1778 Seven ten hundred and seventy eight on a draft for one month, which he served out, stationed on Rhode Island - under Genl. Cornell I was then on duty, in Capt Arnold's company of Warwick - at the time I saw said Brayton at Warwick, as above stated he was a quarter master in said company - and doing the duties as such - Stephen Young

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
ss.
November 20 th
day A.D. 1836 then Stephen Young personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing disposition; I further certify that he is a credible witness in the premises - Before me
Jonah Titus
Justice Peace
Of
State of Rhode Island see
Providence ss.
Dexter Randall Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County of Providence, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify. That Jonah Titus Esq d before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, is a Justice of the peace within & for the Town of Scituate in said County - That by Law, he is duly authorized and empowered to administer oaths and take depositions - and that the signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence this 30 th day of January A.D. 1837
Dexter Randall

I William Colgrove of Scituate County of Providence State of Rhode Island being of lawful age and I was according to law do testify and say That I was well acquainted with Ebenezer Brayton of Scituate who was a Revolutionary Soldier I was with him on one hour of duty at Bristol in the State of Rhode Island in the year 1776. one month in the winter of 1776. I was with said Brayton on hour of duty at Warwick said Brayton was then in the company commanded by Knights or Nathan Rulph we were both in the same Regiment at Bristol we were under Col. James Williams & Col. Laddell and while at Warwick we were under Col. Waterman and Laddell in the fall of the year 1777. I was with said Brayton in Spencers Expedition at Kingston one month and a half under Col. Cornell & Laddell in the year 1778. in the summer I was with said Brayton on the Island of Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition under Col. Stephen Kimball and Cornell one month and a half. Brayton at that time was in Capt. Jonathan Knight's company.
William Colgrove
State of Rhode Island Providence in Scituate Novem- ber 21 st 1836 personally came William Colgrove and after being duly sworn and I was according to law to give the foregoing deposition which was read to me and the Subscribed in his presence and I certify that I am well acquainted with said William Colgrove and that he is a credible person and his testimony or evidence is entitled to full credit before me Josiah Westcott Justice of the Court Common Pleas County of Providence

State of Rhode Island &c Providence ss I Dyer Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County - being a court of Record. do hereby certify that Jacob Westcott Esqr before whom the within affidavit was sworn, is a Justice of said Court; That he is by law, duly authorized & empowered, to administer oaths & take depositions & that his signature within written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence the 30 th day of January A D 1837 -
Dyer Randall

Deposition of witness produced sworn and examined on the 22 nd day of November A D 1836 at the dwelling house of William Roberts Jr in Killings County of Windham State of Connecticut William Roberts of Killings in the County and State aforesaid a pensioner aged Eighty six years and upwards does depose as follows. I formerly resided in the town of Scituate State of Rhode Island and was acquainted with Freeborn Brayton of Scituate State of Rhode Island he the said Brayton was a private in the army in the revolutionary war the first of his being in the service to my knowledge was in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six he resided in the town of Scituate State of Rhode Island there was an alarm made and he was called upon to go and others at the same time he marched with me and others from the town of Scituate to the town of Providence under command of Captain Samuel Wilbour and Colonel Ezekiel Cornell's regiment he quartered with the others at a barn in said town of Providence he served one month at this time he was called out on the occasion of alarms I cannot recollect how long after this but I think not long he went to Providence and quartered at the same place he was out one month at the time the next alarm he went to the town of Warwick in the State aforesaid and quartered at Benjamin Gorton's under command of the same officers he the said Brayton was out one month at the time at another time I cannot distinctly recollect in what year he was called out on the occasion of alarms and served one month under the same Capt. as before and same Colonel and quartered at Benjamin Gorton's in Warwick he served with Captain Jonathan Knight on Newport in Sullivan's expedition I cannot recollect how long he was in the service at this time I should think one month or more he was drafted in the town and further the deponent saith not
Attest Lowell Graves William X Roberts mark

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss Killingly December 22 nd A D 1836
Be it remembered that on the day aforesaid William Roberts who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition personally appeared before me and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth made solemn oaths to the same deposition which is taken at the request of Israel Brayton and to be used for the purpose of obtaining a pension for services done by Nathaniel Brayton deceased.
Albert Lowell Graves Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the said William Roberts is a credible witness in the premises.
Lowell Graves Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Lowell Graves is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Windham & officiates as such Justice.
Dane D. Hutchinson Clerk of Court of Probate for the District of Killingly
Dated Killingly 12 th January 1836

I Pardon Burroughs of Cranston in the County of Providence being now 80 years of age & upwards, on oath do testify & say that I was formerly well acquainted with Freeborn Brayton the husband of Mary Brayton on applica- -cont for a pension. In November 1776. I belonged to Capt. Atkins Company & Col. Cook's regiment & had enlisted for three months & when the enemy landed in Newport we retreated to Bristol where we remained a month. During the time we were stationed at Bristol I well remember that said Brayton was there as a private in Capt. Jonathan Knight's Company of Seaford. He then resided in Seaford. It was before he resided in Cranston. To my knowledge he then served a month in said Company. It was in December 1776. And I further testify that in the fall of 1777. I was stationed at Warwick neck four months acting as Sergeant Major under Col. Church of Seaford. And I well remember said Brayton being stationed there also said Brayton then belonged to

to said Jonathan Knight, Company D was stationed there & quartered at one Lockwood, I remember this from the in- circumstances that every morning I had to carry orders to the Captains of the sev- eral Companies by order of the Colonel. This was my duty as Sergeant Major. I well remember said Brayton was stationed there as a private in said Company two months to my know- ledge during said Fall.
Providence R.I.
Dear Jon Burlingame
In Cranston November 9 1836 I sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify said Pond is a credible witness
Benja Currell G. J. C. C. Phis

I Samuel Eldred of Situate in the County of Providence being now 80 years of age on oath do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Freeborn Brayton former -ly of said Situate the husband of Mercy Brayton an applicant for a pension - In the years in 1777 & 1778 I was an enlisted soldier in Colonel Topham's & Crary regiments In October 1777. In Spencer's expedition an regiment was stationed at Scituate and I well remember of seeing said Brayton in said expedition a soldier on duty. he was in Capt Jonathan Knight's company & served there a month at least. In 1778 in Sullivan's expedition in August I remember of seeing him again as a soldier on duty. altho not in the same company I remember he was on the Island in Capt Wilbur's Company of said Situate a company of Militia served a month at least I was intimately acquainted with him at the time & frequently saw him & conversed with him - I have also a recollection of seeing him in Warwick in the Spring of 1777 I think in May he was then a private in the

Ralph's company but am not certain but I recollect he was then mentioned at the house of one Brayton
Samuel G. Howland Providence In Situde November 9 1836
I swear to & subscribed before me and I further certify said Samuel is a credible witness in the premises
Benja Lowell Esq 66 State

I Thomas Relff of Scituate in the County of Providence being now 77 years of age on oath do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Mary Brayton the widow of Freeman Brayton, of said Scituate In the year 1776 I was enrolled as a pri- vate in Captain Nathan Relff's company of Militia of said Scituate & was a Corporal in said company & in Captain Jonathan Knight's company who succeeded him, several years, I remember of serving two months with him in same company stationed at Warwick about fifteen miles from home This was soon after the British landed & took possession of Newport, in the winter of 1777. The particular months I can- not name - but I well remember of serving with said Brayton two months as aforesaid Providence Thomas Relff
In Scituate November 9 1836 Sworn & subscribed before me and I further certify said Thomas is a credible witness Brayton's Cee G. G. Mear

State of Rhode Island
Providence ss I Deyter Randace Clk of the County of Kent do hereby certify that Benjamin of Second do hereby certify that Benjamin Lowell Esq before whom the affidavits  affidavits were sworn to Chief Justice of said Court. Not By Law he is duly authorized and empowered to administer oaths & take depo- -sitions - and that his signatures thereto hereto are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence this 30th day of January A.D. 1837
Deyter Randace Clk