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)
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.
Open to all users. Digital recordings and transcript are available in Special Collections Reading Room.
Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
John J. Gayton. No source date given.
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.