James was the son of Benjamin Brayton, Jr. and Hannah Wheaton. He had 2 older sisters: Content and Patience. Records show that Benjamin was living in Newport at the time of James birth. But the Newport records were burned by the British, which may account for the absence of death records in public records. Pension application for James indicated that he was orphaned when still a boy. We do not have information on exactly when his father died, where or where he was buried.
From J W Brayton Rev. War papers:
"While James was a resident of Warren, Rhode Island, he enlisted in the spring of 1775 and served 8 months as a private in Capt. Sion Martindale's Co., Col. Church's RI Regiment. At the expiration of this service he entered on board the galley, Spitfire, Capt. Grimes, commander, served 12 months as carpenter's mate and was in an engagement with the British ships, the Phoenix and the Rose. He then enlisted, served 15 months as a private in Captain Caleb Carrs Co., Col. Archibald Crary's RI Reg. and was discharged March 16, 1778. He entered, date not stated, on board the privateer General Stark, Benjamin Pearce, commander, served 5 months and assisted in taking several prizes."
At one point he "was a Privateer in the RI Sea Service and RI Line Service. James was wounded and taken prisoner during a navel engagement with a British Man-of-War and was later confined on the "Jersey Prison Ship."
He married Roby Estabrooke (spelled "Robe" on her birth, town record entry) on Dec. 12, 1777 at the home of her father, William Easterbrooks (both spellings are quoted) in Warren, Rhode Island. That same year, under General Barton, he aided in defense of the town of Warren, RI against the British attack.
Their children were: Benjamin, Roby, James, Susanna (married Wilson Kent of Barrington, RI), Betsey, William, Luther, Patience and their daughter Hannah L. Brayton Hubbard is our ancestor.