Gayton family papers, 1920-1969

The materials in this collection document three generations of the Gayton family, prominent in Seattle's African American community since the early 1900s. John Thomas Gayton (1969-1954) was born in Benton, Mississippi and worked as a coachman for Henry Yandell, moving to Seattle in 1889. He became the first Black steward at the Rainier Club in 1901 and studied business and law. Though he never sat for the bar exam, he was eventually appointed bailiff under Cornelius Holgate Hanford, the first United States District judge of the state of Washington. He continued in this position under succeeding U. S. District judges, and in 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him U.S. District Court Librarian. He also helped found the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Seattle. He married Magnolia Scott in 1901 and together they had four children: John Jacob, James, Louise, and Leonard, who were active in the Seattle African American community.

Among the third-generation of the John T. Gayton family are Carver Gayton, Gary Gayton, Guela Johnson, and Donald Phelps, who have made notable contributions in athletics, law, history, and education and are represented in these papers.

Source: Blackpast.com