Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
John J. Gayton papers, 1968
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Gayton, John J.
- Title
- John J. Gayton papers
- Dates
- 1968 (inclusive)19681968
- Quantity
- 1 sound cassette; 1 duplicate sound cassette, 1 vertical file, 1 digital file
- Collection Number
- 4746 (Accession No. 4746-001)
- Summary
- Tape recorded interviews conducted by Larry Gossett on 17 February 1968 with an African-American Seattle resident
- 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
-
Open to all users. Digital recordings and transcript are available in Special Collections Reading Room.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
John Jacob Gayton (1899-1969) was born in Seattle, Washington, the oldest son of John T. Gayton and Magnolia Scott Gayton. He grew up in Hazelwood and Madrona, Seattle and attended Franklin High School, graduating in 1918. He married Virginia Clark in 1926, and together they raised eight children: Guela, Sylvia, John Cyrus, Gary, Philip, Carver, Leonard, and Elaine. He worked in a haberdashery, the sheriff’s office, and the U.S. Post Office, and retired in 1967.
He also served on the board of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, was president of the church choir, and member of the East Madison YMCA and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
The John Jacob and Virginia Gayton Historical Library at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Seattle was established to honor the Gaytons in 1990.
(Source: Historylink.org, Seattle Times)
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Tape recorded interviews conducted by Larry Gossett on 17 February 1968. John J. Gayton recounts his father’s biography, the founding of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, growing up in Hazelwood and Madrona, exposure to Black history, race relations in Seattle after World War II, his musical education, racial discrimination cases, job opportunities for African Americans in Seattle, working at the sheriff’s office.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
John J. Gayton. No source date given.
Related Materials
Gayton family papers (manuscript collection 0850)
Virginia Clark Gayton oral history interviews (manuscript collection 4737)
Leonard Gayton papers (manuscript collection 4736)
These two interviews were conducted by Larry Gossett as part of the Afro-American Project (1968-1970), in which student field workers recorded conversations with residents of the African American community, primarily in Seattle.
A fourth oral history with Gary Gayton is available in UW digital collections, in the Howard Droker collection, in which Gayton describes his involvement in the Civic Unity Committee and Fair Housing Campaign of 1962-1964.
The Guela Johnson papers (manuscript collection 4334) document the life and work of Guela Gayton Johnson, daughter of John J. and Virginia Gayton.
Carver Gayton at press conference, Seattle, Washington, approximately 1967
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Gayton, John J (creator)
