WAUGaytonfamily0850.xmlGuide to the Gayton Family Papers 1920-1969Gayton Family PapersSpecial Collections, University of Washington Libraries©2007 (Last modified: 11/8/2022)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written in English.Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard).University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections0850 (Accession No. 0850-001)Gayton familyGayton family papers1920-1969.21 cubic foot (one box)Collection materials are in English.Papers of an African-American pioneer family of Seattle

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

Programs, publications, clippings, ephemera and a letter concerning three generations of a Seattle African American family.

Open to all users.

Request at UW

Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Donated by Gayton Family, 2/6/1968.

This accession spans the period 1920 to 1968, with the majority of the items focusing on the athletic, educational and professional achievements and the social activities of family members during the years 1954-1968. The accession is divided into Gayton family papers and four subgroups: Carver Gayton, Gary Gayton, John J. Gayton and John Thomas Gayton.

Oral history interviews with John J. Gayton (manuscript collection 4746)

Leonard Gayton papers (manuscript collection 4736)

Virginia Clark Gayton papers (manuscript collection 4737)

These three 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.

Gayton family--ArchivesGayton, CarverGayton, Gary D., 1933-Gayton, John JGayton, John T. (John Thomas), 1869-1954Seattle (Wash.)--History--19th centuryFrontier and pioneer life--Washington (State)--SeattlePersonal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)African AmericansSeattle

 

1/1Correspondence1931

Recommendation letter from B.F. Nelson, secretary to Judge Neterer to the Honorable Claude Bannick

1/250th Anniversary souvenir program for the First African Methodist Episcopal Church19621/3Publications1920-1964

Various local serials featuring a Gayton family member, including: The Facts, The Northwest Herald, The Puget Sound & Inland Empire Observer, The Crisis, Score, "It's the Water" News, Seventy-Niner

1/4Clippings1936-1968

Newspaper clippings from The Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer featuring Gayton family members

1/5Gayton, Carver: Photograph1968

Holy Names prom photograph

1/6Gayton, Carver: Programs and Other Printed Matter1959-1960

University of Washington 1960 football team calendar, program for 14th annual meeting of Omega Psi Chi Fraternity, game day programs

1/7Gayton, Carver: Clippings1954-1961

Clippings from The Seattle Times, Puget Sound & Inland Empire Observer, and University of Washington Daily featuring Carver Gayton

1/8Gayton, Gary: Program1962

Gonzaga University commencement

1/9Gayton, Gary: Publication1960

Profile of Gary Gayton in Score

1/10Gayton, Gary: Clippings1955-1965

Clippings from The Seattle Times and The Facts featuring Gary Gayton

1/11Gayton, John J.: Certificates and Ephemera1938-1944

Certificate of appreciation for public service, Republican Precinct Committeeman position, party delegation card

1/12Gayton, John J.: Programs1940-1942

Concert program, Thanksgiving program for Eastern Star masons

1/13Gayton, John J.: Clippings1944-1959

Clippings from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer featuring John J. Gayton

1/14Gayton, John Thomas: Certificateundated

Certificate of merit from the Y.M.C.A.

1/15Gayton, John Thomas: Program1965

Dedication of East Madison Y.M.C.A.

1/16Gayton, John Thomas: Clippings1951-1954

Obituary in Pacific Leader