Person:Benjamin Lawton (5)

While absolute proof that Benjamin & Anna/Anner had a child has not been found this is the best explanation for the Benjamin Lawton Jr connected to the family who starts being a witness to deeds in 1770's and who purchased land from Oliver Lawton and Timothy Lawton (his half-brothers) and (half-sister) Mary Lawton, wife of Ezekiel Tripp.

1.   Abstracts of Exeter Wills, in Rhode Island Genealogical Register. (Princeton, Massachusetts: A. G. Beaman)
   77, July 1983.

   22 Feb 1776. Benjamin Lawton of Exeter died intestate. His son Benjamin Lawton given administration & appointed guardian to the deceased's daughter Ruth Lawton.
   
   (Note: the fact that Ruth was not called sister to Benjamin suggests half-sibling relationship possible.)

2. ↑ New Bedford Mercury
   14 Apr 1837.

   DIED.
   In Newport, Mr. Benjamin Lawton, a revolutionary soldier, aged 85 years.

3.   LAND:
   -29 Feb 1776 Oliver Lawton of Exeter, yeoman, & Anna his wife for $100 to Benjamin Lawton of Exeter, yeoman, 2 tract. First 130 acres bounded: highway, Jonathan Bates Jr., Pardon Tillinghast, David Green, Samuel Sweet, George Nichols. Another 5 acres bounded: David Green, Pardon Tillinghast, Cornelius Clarke. Oliver Lawton & Benjamin Lawton of Exeter deceased and my sister Ruth Lawton. Signed: Oliver Lawton, Anna Lawton. Witnesses: Benjamin Raynolds 3d, Benj Raynolds, Jonathan Benjamin, Thomas Benjamin. [Exeter Land pps. 435-436]
   -1 Mar 1776 Timothy Lawton of Exeter, yeoman, & Deborah his wife (his father Benjamin Lawton of Exeter deceased and Ruth his sister) for $120 to Benjamin Lawton of Exeter, yeoman, 2 tracts. First 130 acres bounded: highway, Jonathan Bates Jr, Pardon Tillinghast, said Benjamin Lawton, David Greene, Samuel Sweet, George Nichols. Other 5 acres bounded: David Greene, Pardon Tillinghast, Cornelius Clarke. Witnesses: William Gardiner, N. Gardner Jr., Ichabod Mosher, Samuel Champlin. [Exeter Land 436-437]
   -16 May 1776 Ezekiel Tripp and Mary his wife both of Exeter to Benjamin Lawton of Exeter, yeoman, ... did belong to our father Benjamin Lawton of Exeter, yeoman, deceased, 2 Tracts first bounded: highway, Jonathan Bates Jr., Pardon Tillinghast, David Greene, grantee, Samuel Sweet, George Nichols, with dwelling house and barn. Also bounded: Cornelius Clarke, David Greene, Pardon Tillinghast. Both tracts contain 100 Acres. Witnesses: George Peirce and Mary Peirce. [Exeter Land: p.438]
4.   LAND:
   -27 Aug 1771 Benjamin Lawton of Exeter, yeoman, & Annar his wife for £18 10s to Ichabod Mosher of Exeter, yeoman, 10 acres bounded: highway, Benjamin Potter, river, John Whitford, Thomas Joslen, with dwelling house. Witnesses: George Peirce, Joseph Babcock, Benjamin Lawton Jr., Mary Lawton. [Exeter Land pps. 211-212]
   -6 Aug 1773 Ichabod Mosher of Exeter, yeoman, & Anna his wife for £90 to Gideon Mosher of Exeter, yeoman, 41 acres bounded: grantor, Benjamin Lawton, Jeremiah Rathbun, Cornelius Clark, Samuel Sweet, Benjamin Lawton Jr. Witnesses: Robert Moone, Ezekiel Tripp. [Exeter Land pps. 315-316]
5.   MISC:
   - 14 Apr 1776 Benjamin Lawton witnessed will of John Weight.