Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1902-2008

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Jessett, Thomas E. (Thomas Edwin), 1902-1989
Title
Thomas E. Jessett papers
Dates
1902-2008 (inclusive)
Quantity
12.49 cubic feet (27 boxes, 1 oversize folder, 1 vertical file and 1 scrapbook)
Collection Number
1832
Summary
Papers of an Episcopal clergyman and Northwest historian from Seattle, Washington
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The papers are open to all users.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

The Reverend Canon Thomas Edwin Jessett was born in 1902 in Marlborough, England. He taught school in Vernon, British Columbia, and Honolulu before coming to Washington. Jessett's ministry began in 1924 as a lay reader in Chelan County. Transferred to Colfax, Whitman County, he received a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in sociology from Washington State University. He was ordained as a deacon in Colfax in 1928 and as a priest in Spokane in 1929. Jessett was installed as canon of honor of St. Marks Cathedral and diocese in Seattle (a lifetime, honorary title) on May 24, 1953. The Reverend Canon Jessett died in 1982.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Biographical information, correspondence, manuscripts, sermons, published articles, unpublished writings, speeches, bibliography, award, certificates, financial records, clippings, ephemera, scrapbooks, photographs, and sound recordings concerning Jessett's career in the church as well as his interest in Northwest history, early missionary activities, and Native Americans such as Spokane Garry, 1902-1989.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The creator's literary rights have not been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 13 accessions:

  • Accession No. 1832-001, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1922-1982
  • Accession No. 1832-013, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1916-1974
  • Accession No. 1832-014, Thomas E. Jessett autobiography, 1981
  • Accession No. 1832-015, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1975-1982
  • Accession No. 1832-016, Thomas E. Jessett sound recordings, 1979-1981
  • Accession No. 1832-017, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1902-1989
  • Accession No. 1832-019, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1919-1992
  • Accession No. 1832-020, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1902-1978
  • Accession No. 1832-021, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1929-1982, 1996
  • Accession No. 1832-022, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1921-2008 (bulk 1952-1955)
  • Accession No. 1832-023, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1943-1953
  • Accession No. 1832-024, Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1920s-1960s

Processing Note

Processing levels vary. Contact the Special Collections division, University of Washington Libraries, for details.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 1832-001: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1922-1982Return to Top

7.08 cubic feet (17 boxes and 1 scrapbook)

Scope and Content: Manuscripts, sermons, published articles, scrapbooks, correspondence, unpublished writings, clippings, and ephemera, 1922-1982.

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received from Thomas E. Jessett between 1967 and 1976.

Processing Info: Merger of Acc. No. 0748-001 (received July 31, 1967), Acc. No. 0798-001 (received October 30, 1967), Acc. No. 1044-001 (received November 26, 1968), Acc. No. 1124-001 (received April 14, 1969), Acc. No. 1127-001 (received April 17, 1969), Acc. No. 1667-001 (received July 8, 1971), Acc. No. 1706-001 (received August 20, 1971), Acc. No. 1786-001 (received December 17, 1971), Acc. No. 1832-001 (received February 15, 1972), Acc. No. 1832-012 (received March 25, 1976), and Acc. No. 1986-001 (received August 15, 1972).

Accession No. 1832-013: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1916-1974Return to Top

1.42 cubic feet (2 boxes)

Scope and Content: Biographical features, correspondence, financial records, sermons, speeches and writings, and clippings, 1916-1974.

Includes four thick folders of sermons and approximately 9 inches of writings including a typed manuscript of "Spokane Garry."

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received from Thomas E. Jessett, October 8, 1981.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1832-014: Thomas E. Jessett autobiography, 1981Return to Top

1 volume

Scope and Content: From Boy Corporal to Cathedral Canon : an Autobiography, 1902-1981.

This work is reproduced from typewritten copy, but printed and bound with soft covers and spiral-type binding. It has illustrations and contains a list of Jessett's published works through 1981.

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received from Thomas E. Jessett, via Frederick E. Jessett, September 13, 1981.

Accession No. 1832-015: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1975-1982Return to Top

6 items

Scope and Content: Audiocassette, newspaper obituaries, and a program, 1975-1982.

Includes obituaries from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Olympia Churchman for Jessett, the senior Episcopal priest in Washington State; an audiocassette recording of the memorial service for Jessett at St. Mark's Cathedral, March 1, 1982; a speech, 1975; and a program from the1981 presentation by the Washington State Historical Society of its Gray Medal to Jessett.

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received from Fred E. Jessett, June 9, 1982.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1832-016: Thomas E. Jessett sound recordings, 1979-1981Return to Top

3 sound cassettes

Scope and Content: Tape recorded sermons, undated and 1979, and a tape recorded speech, 1981.

Sermons include a Jubilee sermon, 1979, and three others, as well as a speech entitled "Black Robe, Black Coat and Black Gown," given by Jessett at the Washington State Historical Society in 1981.

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received from Louise L. Jessett, September 27, 1982.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1832-017: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1902-1989Return to Top

0.61 cubic foot (1 box and 1 oversize folder)
Arrangement: The materials in this accession are arranged as received.

Scope and Content: Writings, a bibliography, photographs, an award, certificates, and clippings, 1902-1989.

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received from Fred Jessett, April 1, 2006.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Container(s) Description Dates
Writings
Box Accession
1 1832-017
Thomas E. Jessett articles
4 folders
1941-1980
1 1832-017
From Boy Corporal to Cathedral Canon: an Autobiography, 1902-1981 by Thomas E. Jessett
1981
1 1832-017
Thomas E. Jessett sermons
1943-1978
Box Accession
1 1832-017
Bibliography: published works of Thomas E. Jessett
undated
1 1832-017
Thomas E. Jessett portrait photographs
1929-circa 1970's
Award: Captain Robert Gray Medal - Washington State Historical Society
1981
Certificates
Box Accession
1 1832-017
Thomas E. Jessett baptism
1902
1 1832-017
Thomas E. Jessett confirmation
1918
VF:oversize
80 1832-017
Thomas E. Jessett holy orders - Colfax, Washington
1928
80 1832-017
Thomas E. Jessett holy orders - Spokane, Washington
1929
Box Accession
1 1832-017
Clippings: miscellaneous articles and publications
2 folders
1930-1989

Accession No. 1832-019: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1919-1982Return to Top

0.67 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Arrangement: The materials in this accession are arranged as received.

Scope and Content: Certificates, clippings, correspondence, typed transcript of speech, travel diaries, medal, photographs, vitas, writings, other personal ephemeral items, and annual diaries. The annual diaries (1923-1932; 1936-1941; 1943-1944; 1949; 1951-1976; 1978-1982) comprise the bulk of the accession and chronicle the professional schedule and personal life of Jessett, notably the death of his son Arthur in a climbing accident on Mount Saint Helens in May 1952. The rest of the materials are primarily personal in nature: educational certificates; newspaper and newsletter clippings about Jessett; early papers including his United States certificate of citizenship and his certificates with details of his involvement in the Boy Scouts; the medal awarded to him by the Washington State Historical Society in 1981; travel diaries; a nameplate; vitas; photographs of Jessett; and ephemeral personal items. Also included are an address to the congregation of St. James in Pullman, WA in the early 1970's and two writings: "St. John's Church of Olympia" (a corrected copy) and "The Wild and Wonderful World of the Church Pension Fund."

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received from Fred Jessett, March 14, 2008.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1832-020: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1902-1978Return to Top

0.42 cubic feet (1 box)
Arrangement: The materials in this accession are arranged as received.

Scope and Content: (circa 1902-1978). Certificates, marriage documents, personal history, writings, financial statements, publications, scrapbook, photographs, and photograph albums.

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Source: Fred Jessett, June 2, 2008.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1832-021: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1929-1982, 1996Return to Top

1 cubic foot (1 box)
Arrangement: The materials in this accession are arranged as received.

Scope and Content: (1929-1982, 1996) Correspondence, clippings, certificates, photographs, memorial service programs, and manuscripts. Manuscripts include: From Boy Corporal to Cathedral Canon : an Autobiography, 1902-1981 (1 set marked "originals"), and; Black Robe, Black Coat and Black Gown in the Old Oregon Country: A Study of Christian Missions to Oregon, 1774-1855 (1 set of "master sheets" and 1 draft).

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Source: Fred Jessett, September 2, 2008.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1832-022: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1921-2008 (bulk 1952-1955)Return to Top

0.42 cubic feet (1 box)
Arrangement: The materials in this accession are arranged as received.

Scope and Content: Correspondence, clippings, financial records, memorial programs, photographs, publications, sermon, and writings relating to Arthur Jessett's death and creation of the memorial fund, including the Arthur Jessett Memorial Collection at the University of Washington Libraries. Other items include a Book of Common Prayer, facsimiles of Jessett's military records, and materials relating to Jessett's teaching at the Iolani School (Hawaii).

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Source: Fred Jessett, February 17, 2009.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1832-023: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1943-1953Return to Top

0.42 cubic feet (1 box)
Arrangement: The materials in this accession are arranged as received.

Scope and Content: Clipping from Canterbury Club newsletter, photographs of Art Jessett and a family portrait, corporal appointment certificate for Art Jessett, song lyrics collected or by Art Jessett and Carolee Thompson, and a complete issue of the Saturday Evening Post, May 2, 1953.

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Source: Fred Jessett, December 8, 2010.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1832-024: Thomas E. Jessett papers, 1920s-1960sReturn to Top

0.03 cubic feet (1 vertical file)
Arrangement: The materials in this accession are arranged by subject.

Scope and Content: Correspondence, photographs, sermon transcript, and writings.

Restrictions on Access: The papers are open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Donor: Fred Jessett, 2011.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Clergy--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Episcopalians--Washington (State)--Seattle--Clergy--Archives
  • Historians--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Indians of North America--Missions
  • Indians of North America--Washington (State)
  • Missionaries--Northwest, Pacific
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Spokane Indians

Personal Names

  • Jessett, Thomas E. (Thomas Edwin), 1902-1989--Archives
  • Spokane Garry, 1811?-1892

Corporate Names

  • Episcopal Church--Washington (State)
  • Episcopal Church--Washington (State)--Seattle

Geographical Names

  • Northwest, Pacific-- History