Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21087, Borden Brayton, Mass. Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Privateer
Brayton, Borden
S. 21087
CONTENTS

27338 Rhode Island
Borden Brayton of Tiverton in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Com'y commanded by Captain Durfee of the Reg't commanded by Colo Hathaway in the R.I. line for 21 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate & Pension issued the 19th day of April 1834 and sent to B a Gray Esq. Tiverton R.I.
Arrears to the 14th of Mar. 1831 $ 240. Semi-ann. allowance ending 11th Sep 11 40
$ 280
{ Revolutionary Claim, 21 Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk Book C Vol. 2 3 Page 138

15 Declaration. In Order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 State of Rhode Island.
County of Newport, ss.
On this fourth day of November 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in said County of Newport, a Court of Record, non-sitting, Borden Brayton a resident of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, aged Seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
In the Month of December 1776 at Freetown in the State of Massachusetts, he volunteered and served one month under Capt. Brightman, stationed at a guard house at the village of Fall river, on Taunton River, in the Southerly part of said Freetown, since then erected into a separate Town, named Grey; he performed this service as a guard at the time the British took possession of Rhode Island, lying near viz about four miles down the river, and to give an alarm upon the approach of the enemy, that the Militia might assemble, and to keep in check or repel any marauding party that may be detached from the enemy for pillage or conflagration. When his month had expired he was discharged at said Fall river.
The enemy now having possession of Rhode Island, to prevent their crossing over to the main to pillage and forage, forces were assembled and a chain of Guard posts established on the shores of Taunton River opposite and in the vicinity of said Island. He in the month of April in the year 1777 volunteered into Capt. Joseph Durfee's company, at said Freetown (now Grey) and served until the month of December following, stationed at a building near

at Fall River the shore, South of the stream, at said Village of Fall River, he was discharged in the month of December, cold weather having now commenced, and it not being thought necessary to keep up a regular guard at this place in the winter — In the Spring of the year 1778, in the month of March he volunteered at said Fall River, into Capt. Henry Brightman's Company, and was stationed at the aforesaid guard house, he served in said Company until the following December, when he was discharged — he again in the year 1779, month of March, volunteered at said Fall River, (Town of Freetown) into a Company commanded a part of the time by Capt. Thomas Elsbry and a part by Capt. Burt, in this Company he served until the British left Rhode Island the last of October of this year — he was on duty at the said guard station, at the time the Gally Ship was taken, and saw that transaction, it being after day light in the morning, and said Gally lying in the river nearly opposite our guard house — In the year 1777, according to the best of his recollection (and he recollects perfectly that he was then under Capt. Joseph Durfee afterwards Colonel and was on duty at said guard station — the enemy landed, at said Fall River, and burned the Mills of Richard Borden, and carried him said Richard away prisoner, we had something of a skirmish with them — they left two their men of one of which was shot through the jaw and dropped dead, the other lived about two hours, and told that Thomas Borden and Richard Holland pilotted them there — we hastened their departure in time to put out most of the fires they had kindled — At another time while in the service at said Station your Declarant with three others was detached to guard two Tories to Providence to deliver over to Gen. Sullivan — these Tories names were John & George Brightman — From old age and the consequent loss of memory, your Declarant cannot state precisely the days he entered the service nor the exact length of his service positively, but according to the best of

his recollection he served not less than the following periods. For one month he served under Capt. Brightman, commencing in December 1776. For not less than eight months he served under Capt. Duffee commencing in April and ending in December 1777. For nine months, viz. from March to December 1778 he served under Capt. Brightman. For not less than seven and a half months, commencing in March 1779 he served in a Company part of the time under Capt. Elsbry and a part under Capt. Frost, all of said service performed as a private Soldier, and making in the whole not less than twenty five and an half months, and for such service I claim a Pension.
he further Declares that the companies above named in which he performed his services, were attached to the Regiment of Col. John Hathaway, that Isaac Hathaway was the Adjutant. And that to the best of his recollection, they were under the direction of Gen. Cornell, he will recollects they had their Commission from him. [after this viz in 1780 he shipped on board the Privateer Gen. Wayne, at Providence, was taken and carried into New York. - after being released, in March 1782 I shipped at Providence on board the Letter of Marque Moore, fitted out of Providence, but cruised in Philadelphia - we carried the baggage &c of the French Troops to Little York, and from thence we went to France.]
And your Declarant further avers, that he was born at Newport, in the State of Rhode Island on the 25 th day of May 1760. That he, with his father removed to the Town of Freetown, and the part of said Freetown, since erected into the Town of Tacy, in the State of Massachusetts, in the year 1775, that he resided at said Freetown, when he entered into the above mentioned services, and continued to reside there, until the year 1783, when he removed into the adjoining Town of Tiverton, in the State of Rhode Island where he has ever since resided, and does now reside that he has no record of his age, except upon in a family

bible; that he never received any written discharge from any of his said Services, but was verbally discharged by his commanding Officer. That said Corps were ordered out by the State of Massachusetts, and he drew pay for all of said Services, and that during the period of said Services he was not engaged in any civil pursuit whatever. That most of the time he was in said service they drew their provisions from the Town of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island. That there is no Clergyman in his neighborhood or vicinity, he therefore refers to Peter Estes and George Lawton Esquires his neighbors who will testify to their belief of his age, of his revolutionary Services, and to his credibility; and to the accompanying Depositions. And he further declares, that Thomas Butts, the maker of one of said Depositions was with him in all of his said services, except the first month, viz 1776.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the presents, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
Asa Gray, Clerk
Borden Bragton
We Peter Estes and George Lawton residing in the Town of Bristol, County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Borden Bragton who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Asa Gray, Clerk
Peter Estes
George Lawton
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the

Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Peter Estes and George Lawton Esquires, who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of said Town of Swanton, and are credible Persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Asa Gray, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of Swanton, in the County of Newport, a Court of record, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Pardon Bragton for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fourth day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. And of American Independence the fiftyeighth.
Asa Gray, Clerk of Court of Probate

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
July 8, 1926
Mrs. B. W. Morse 34 Linden St Providence, R. I.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 21087, it appears that Borden Brayton was born May 25, 1760 at Newport, Rhode Island.
While residing at Freetown, Massachusetts, he served as a private in the Massachusetts Troops, as follows-
From in December 1776, one month in Captain Brightman's Company, Colonel John Hathaway's Regiment.
From April 1777 to December 1777, in Captain Joseph Durfee's Company, Colonel John Hathaway's Regiment.
From March 1778 to December 1778, in Captain Henry Brightman's Company, Colonel John Hathaway's Regiment.
From March 1779 to October 1779, in Captains Thomas Elabree's and Burt's Companies, Colonel John

Hathaway's Regiment.
In 1780, he entered on board the privateer "General Wayne" was captured and taken to New York, and after being released, in March 1782, he entered on board Letter of Marque "More", and carried baggage of the French Troops to Little York, and thence to France, no further details.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 4, 1833, while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

data,
Revolution 21 087 INVALID.
1892 Oct 10 Mr Taggart took 1917 Lihou & Hist. to W. J. Harrison 1926 July 8 " " note B.V. more...
File No. 21,087
Boeden Brayton Br. Rev. W.W.
Act: June 7 "89"
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 55
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
Jan 7 29
1834.
SIR,
I HAVE received your letter requesting me to examine the rolls in this office for evidence of the services of
Borden Brayton
in the Revolutionary War. Thousands of similar applications have been made; and they are daily presented in such numbers, that it is impossible for me or my clerks personally to attend to them, without neglecting the usual business of the office. I therefore found it necessary to establish a rule (of which public notice was given) requiring that examinations should be made by the applicants themselves, or their friends or agents. They are allowed free access to the rolls and records, and every facility in my power to afford. If they discover any evidence of the services claimed, they are furnished with blanks for the purpose of preparing certificates for my signature. These certificates are compared by me or one of the clerks with the rolls pointed out to us, and, if true, they are signed by me. This is cheerfully done without any charge. Nothing has ever been asked or received for these services by any one connected with the office. I believe this is all that can be reasonably required of me; and all that can be done without neglecting my incumbent duties.
There are two gentlemen (Messrs. HOMER and WHITE) who, for some time past have been constantly employed in assisting the old soldiers, and who expect a trifling remuneration for their trouble in making the search and preparing the necessary certificate. As, for the reasons already stated, I cannot myself attend to the case stated by you, I shall place it in the hands of these gentlemen for investigation, and request them to communicate to you the result.
The rolls in this office, though numerous, are very defective, irregular, and incomplete, a fact of which the War Department at Washington is well informed. It is therefore always uncertain whether the services claimed, although they may have been faithfully rendered, can be proved by our records. In a majority of cases, a part only of the service can be shown from the existing rolls. Whatever evidence can be discovered, will be furnished to you at a small charge by the gentlemen whom I have mentioned.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
Edward D. Bangs, Esq.
Asa Gray Esq.

War Department Pension Office Dec. 20th 1833
Sir The documents in support of the claim of Gordon Prayton have been examined and are herewith returned. - Before a final deci- sion can be made in this case application must be made to the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts for evidence of his service
Very Very Respectfully I am Mr. W. H. St. J. L. Edward
Mr. Gray Esq Tiverton R. I.

Tiverton, April 5 th 1833.
Sir,
herewith enclosed are the papers of Borden Brayton for the support of his claim for a Pension. The Evidence of a part of the services he declares to have performed, derived from the Secretary's Office, of the State of Massachusetts, has been examined by him. He states that he never knew of belonging to Livingston's Reg. - it was there viz. the village of Fall River, in Treeton, a part of the time, that it came there just before Sullivan's Expedition in 1778. He further says that he served under others by spells, but does not recollect of any other Capt. than named in his declaration. that the Officers were frequently changed.
Said Brayton appears to be a very honest and candid man; in his statements he does not appear to wish to exaggerate in the least.
Your M c O l t. H ym . S erv t.
Asa Gray

O
M rs Gray Esq r
Siverton
RG

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 18 th 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of "Borden" Brayton, as a private, is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Dufee's Company, where he is allowed from April 9 th to July 9 th 1778. three Months. m d. 3 =
Borden Brayton's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Henry Brightman's Company in Col. Livingston's Regt. where he is allowed from June 2 d to July 2 d 1779. One Month. 1 =
Borden Brayton's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Thomas Elsbree's Company in Col. Livingston's Regt. where he is allowed from July 9 th to August 9 th 1779. One Month 1 =
Borden Brayton's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Henry Brightman's Company, where he is allowed from August 3 d to the 7 th 1780 four days. 4 3 = 4
Borden Brayton claims for services under Capt. Brightman in 1776 and for further services

under Capt. Durfee in 1777. under Capt Henry Wright= =man in 1778. and Captains Elsbee and Burt in 1779; but the rolls which he describes are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs Esq
at

I Benjamin Dufee of Tray in the county of Bristol and state of Massachusetts of lawful to give evidence to testify and say, that Borden Brayton of Tiverton in the state of Rhode Island was a soldier in the Revolutionary War — He was stationed at Fall River in Captain Joseph Dufee's company in the Spring of 1777 to guard the towns lying on the Taunton River against the attacks of the British — I often saw the said Borden Brayton on duty in his country's service afterwards in the years 1778 and 1779, but how long he was in his country's service I am not able to state I well remember seeing the said Borden Brayton engaged in the action between the British and American Troops at Fall River in the summer of 1777 — and further the deponent saith not —
Benjamin Dufee
Bristol ss. Sept 23 d 1833 — Personally appeared the above named Benjamin Dufee, a disinterested and credible person, and made oath to the foregoing statement by him made and subscribed
Before me James Fand Justice of the Peace

Benjamin D. Dyer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Witnesseth. I, James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James Ford Esq., whose signature is affixed to the within certificate, is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this fifth day of October A.D. 1853. Jas. Spratt

Thomas H. Dutton
Borden Brayton 28538 Tiverton R.I.
Adm. [unclear] 24. [unclear] Capt. [unclear] Colo. [unclear]
Asa Gray Esq. Tiverton Tiverton R.I.

I, Thomas Butts of Hray in the county of Bristol and state of Massachusetts, of lawful age to give evidence, do testify and say, that I have been acquainted with Borden Brayton of Freetown in the county of Bristol and state of Rhode Island for more than sixty years. I knew to be a soldier in the Revolutionary War - He was stationed with me at Fall River in the state of Massachusetts in Captain Joseph Dunshee's company to guard the towns lying on the Taunton River - He commenced duty in Captain Dunshee's company in April 1777 and continued on duty as aforesaid until sometime in December following not less than eight months - I knew the said Borden Brayton to be stationed at said Fall River again in March 1778 in Captain Henry Brightman's company and Colonel Hathaway's Regiment - He continued on duty in said Brightman's company at Fall River until sometime in December following not less than nine months - In March 1779, the said Borden Brayton again volunteered in his country's service, and was again stationed at Fall River to guard the towns in that vicinity and continued on duty until the British evacuated Rhode Island on the 29th of October 1779 not less than seven and a half months - During the last above named time the said Borden Brayton was in the companies commanded by Captains Eddy and Burt, and in the said Colonel Hathaway's Regiment - I served with nearby Borden Brayton in all the above services and further the deponent saith not -
Thomas Butts
Hray, Bristol, county - state of Massachusetts Sept 23-1833 Personally appeared the above named Thomas Butts, a disinterested and credible person, and made oath to the foregoing statement by him made and subscribed - Before me James Fernald Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I James Fernald, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bristol do hereby certify that James Fernald Esq. whose signature is subscribed to the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol and duly qualified and authorized -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fifth day of October, A.D. 1833 - Jas. Fernald -

Joseph Dyer of Troy in the County of Bristol, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age to give evidence to testify and say, that I have been acquainted with Borden Brayton of Tiverton in the County of Newport in the state of Rhode Island for sixty years last past, that I knew him to be engaged in the service of his country in the Revolutionary War, that he said Brayton was stationed at Fall River and did duty in a company commanded by me at Fall River in the state of Massachusetts at Littlecompton and Tiverton in the state of Rhode Island, during a part of the year 1776, and a part of the year 1777, in the Massachusetts state service, in Colonel John Hathaway's Regiment, and in General Mawdell's Brigade, not less than one year - That in the year 1778, I knew the said Brayton to be actively engaged as a soldier in defence of his country, in the company commanded by Captain Henry Brightman, in Colonel Hathaway's regiment, stationed at Fall River, in the Massachusetts state service - However the said Brayton was doing duty as aforesaid in Captain Brightman's company, I am not now able to recollect distinctly, but I think not less than eight months - The said Brayton was afterwards, in 1779 stationed at Fall River in the company commanded successively by Captain Burt and Captain Elshue, in said Colonel Hathaway's regiment, but I am not able to say how long, I think, as near as I can recollect, that the said Borden Brayton was engaged as a soldier in the Revolutionary War nearly all the time that the British troops had possession of Rhode Island, which was from November 1776, to

October 1799 — The said Brayton was a brave and active soldier, as I had frequent opportunities to witness, while he was in the company under my command, and afterwards while he was in the regiment of which I was Major. And further the deponent saith not
Joseph Dufee
Newport ss. November 4 th 1833 — Personally appeared the above named Joseph Dufee a disinterested and credible person, and made oath to the foregoing statement, by him made and subscribed.
Before me
Wm Coggeshall Justice of The Peace
State of Rhode Island ss
County of Newport } ss. Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Kingston, in the County and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Probate, do hereby certify, that William Coggeshall is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Kingston, in the County of Newport, duly commissioned under the seal of this State, and fully qualified to act in his said capacity.
And I further certify, that the signature of his name above written is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fourth day of November A.D. 1833.
Asa Gray, Clerk

MRS. BENTLEY W. MORSE 34 Linden St. PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Apr. 27, 1926,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Dear Sir;
I would like any information you can give regarding two Revolutionary Soldiers; namely -
Borden Brayton b. May 25, 1760 d. 1849?
Godfrey King See July 10-26 b. Feb. 9, 1750
d. Oct. 16, 1834
Both were residents of Tiverton, R. I.
Yours truly,
Mrs. B. W. Morse
Thank You.

W. J. Harrison, Pres.
E. L. Harrison, Treas.
Rev Soc 10-1
Harrison Bros. Co., Butter, Cheese & Eggs,
Cable Address: Harrisonco, Boston.
208 State St
Phone, Richmond 452.
Boston,
Jan 29 1917
G. M. Saltzgaber Esq Com. Bureau of Pensions Washington D C.
Dear Sir:
Please accept my thanks for your reply to my communication of January 18 in relation to military record of Pardon Lake. I would like to trespass on your time still further and request the record of Borden Brayton of Tiverton Newport County R. I. Also will you kindly inform me if you have on file in your department the military record of those Revolutionary soldiers who did not apply for pensions?
Thanking you in advance I am with kind regards
Very truly yours
W. J. Harrison

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
N.Y. 21087
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Borden Brayton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1776 1 mo. Pvt. Brightman John Hathaway Mass.   Apr. 1777 Dec. 1777 " Joseph Durfee " "   Feb. 1778 Dec. 1778 " Henry Brightman " "   Feb. 1779 Oct. 1779 " Thomas Elbree " "   1780 Burt " "    and after being released in Mch. 1782 shipped on board Privateer Guil Trayne was captured + taken to N.Y. by French Troops to Little York and thence to France. Marye Moore, carried baggage  Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Freetown Mass. until 1783
Date of application for pension, Nov. 4. 1833. His ch. ch.
Residence at date of application, Freetown, Newport Co. R.I.
Age at date of application, born May 25. 1760 at Newport, R.I.
Remarks:
No date on file as to his family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.