History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

148 History of Swansea
Brayton, was born in Swansea, Mass., April 2, 1824, and passed the greater
part of his childhood on the farm in Somerset, that for generations had
been the home of the Brayton ancestors. His early education was acquired
by regular attendance at the public schools of Somerset and Fall River;
and when not at school he worked at different occupations with great
energy and zeal. Manifesting in early youth a taste for business, he was
not long in seeking a field larger than that which his boyhood home afforded,
and when still a minor he made a business trip to Cuba. In later years he
was extensively engaged in trade with the West Indies.
The discovery of gold on the Pacific coast intensely interested Mr.
Brayton, and in 1849 he sailed in the ship "Mary Mitchell," for California,
where he remained several months. On returning to Fall River, with Silas
BuUard as partner, he erected the Bristol County Flour Mills, of which he
later became sole proprietor.
Not long after the enactment of the National Banking Law, Mr.
Brayton, with his brother John S. Brayton and their associates, established
the First National Bank of Fall River. The directors of this corporation
manifested their appreciation of his faithful and valuable services in its
behalf when they spread upon its records at the time of his decease the
tribute that "To his remarkable foresight, energy, and high moral character,
this Institution owes its origin and its great success.
Cotton goods were already manufactured in Fall River, and Mr.
Bratyon, with his usual foresight, realized the possibility of the growth of
the cotton industry. In 1865, he conceived the idea of erecting a large
manufactory, and a site was purchased bordering on the stream from which
the city takes its name. As a result of his sagacity, untiring industry, and
acumen, Durfee Mills Number One was completed in 1867; in 1871
Durfee Mills Number Two, a duplicate of Number One, was built, thus
doubling the production of the print cloths of this corporation; and in 1880,
the plant was again enlarged by the erection of mill Number Three. These
mills, named in honor of Bradford Durfee, whose son, B. M. C. Durfee,
was the largest stockholder, are an enduring monument to the enterprise,
energy, and sound judgment of David Anthony Brayton. From the time
of their incorporation until his demise, Mr. Brayton was Treasurer and
Manager of the Durfee Mills, which for many years constituted one of the
largest print cloth plants in this country.
The results of the business ability and wisdom of David A. Brayton
were not confined to these enterprises alone, but his knowledge and experience
were wide spread, and he held many offices of responsibility and
trust. He was director in eight other corporations in Fall River, and at
the time of his death was President and principal owner of the Arnold
Print Works in North Adams, Massachusetts. Deeply interested in the
welfare of the city, he did not shun the responsibilities of the true citizen,
nor did he deem it his obligation to accept the honors of civic oflSce, and
declined reelection after serving one term in the city government. He never
lost his love of the country, and the freedom of its open life appealed to
him. He purchased a large farm in Somerset, now known as Brayton
Point, and this he cultivated with much pleasure and pride. Here he
found his recreation away from the turmoil of the business world.
Mr. Brayton was a regular attendant, and an active member of the
First Congregational Church of Fall River. He gave freely to the support
of divine worship, was generously benevolent, and guided by his keen,
quick judgment of persons, he willingly assisted those whom he believed
worthy of his aid. He was married in Fall River, May 1, 1851, to Nancy R.
Jenckes, daughter of John and Nancy (Bellows) Jenckes. They had five
children: Nannie Jenckes, David Anthony, John Jencks, Elizabeth
Hitchcock, and Dana Dwight Brayton. In 1880 Mr. Brayton, accompanied
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