[1] Early in life he learned the trade of blacksmith, but later abandoned this to enter the field of public affairs, for which he was described as "well fitted both by reason of diligent study and tastes".
At the outbreak of the American Revolution he enlisted in the Pawtuxet Rangers and served under Captain Benjamin Arnold.
[1] In 1804, Brayton was chosen town clerk of Warwick, and continued to fill that office until his death, with the assistance of his sons in later years, when his time was employed with larger affairs.
[1] Brayton was elected to the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1820, and re-elected several times.
In 1827, on the reorganization of the judiciary of the state, he was again elected to the Supreme Court, and continued to fill that office until his death.