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Guide to the James A. Clayton Family Papers, circa 1850-1905Part of the Edith C. Smith
Photograph Collection
ECS03.06
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Table of contents
Title: James A. Clayton Family Papers
Date (inclusive): 1850-1905
Collection Number: ECS03.06
Creator:
James A. Clayton Family
Extent:
Containers: 2 boxes
Volume: 1.5 cubic feet Selected online items available
Volume: 1.5 cubic feet Selected online items available
Repository:
Sourisseau Academy for State and
Local History,
San Jose State University
San Jose, California
Abstract: The James A. Clayton Family Papers is a collection of
correspondence and photographs that document life in the Clayton family of Santa
Clara County during the latter half of the nineteenth century and the beginning of
the twentieth century. The family correspondence records aspects of life events and
personal dynamics among its members; this is especially the case with James A.
Clayton and his wife Anna.
Language of Material: All material is in English.
Collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Sourisseau Academy. Neither the original
photographs nor the digital images held by the Sourisseau Academy may be
reproduced, published, or used on the Internet without the expressed, written
permission of the Executive Secretary. Permission for publication is given on
behalf of the Sourisseau Academy as the owner of the physical items and is not
intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also
be obtained by the researcher. The credit line, "Courtesy of the Edith C. Smith
Trust Collection, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History" must accompany
any such use.
[Identification of item], James A. Clayton Family Papers, ECS03.08, Edith C.
Smith Photograph Collection, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History, San
Jose State University, San Jose, California
The James A. Clayton Family Papers were donated to the Sourisseau Academy by the
Edith Corinne Smith Trust in 2009. The collection appears to have been part of the
Florence Gates Baldwin estate, granddaughter of James and Anna Clayton.
James A. Clayton was born 20 Oct 1831 in Bugsworth, Derbyshire, England, and died
1896 in Los Angeles, CA. He married Anna Louinia Thomson in March 1869, daughter of
Robert Thomson and Amy Brown. She was born June 1843 in Richmond, Indiana, and died
19 Feb 1917 in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., CA.
In 1853, Clayton became permanently identified with Santa Clara where he operated a
photography studio. He subsequently moved the studio to San Jose; and in the late
1850s, he relocated his family to San Jose. While in Santa Clara, Clayton and John
B. Hewston started the city's first temperance movement. Clayton was also one
of the region's first leaders to initiate the establishment of a local YMCA. In
1861, Clayton was elected county clerk on the Republican ticket and was elected
again in 1863, while continuing to operate his photograph studio. In 1867, he
entered the real estate business in San Jose and remained active in that profession
until his death in 1896.
Prior to 1887, most property available for purchase in Santa Clara Valley passed
through his hands at least once. Clayton started the first abstract and title
business in Santa Clara County, one of the first in the state. He became a promoter
and partial owner of the first electric lighting plant in the county and was one of
the founders of the First National Bank of San Jose in 1874. He later served as its
president for many years. After Clayton had been in the realty business several
years, he started to promote the Santa Clara Valley with illustrated literature that
was distributed widely in the American Mid-West.
James and Anna Clayton had seven children: Mary E., married to Caroll W. Gates and
lived in Los Angeles; Edward W., for many years associated with his father and later
with the James A. Clayton Company real estate business; Willis C., also connected
with James A. Clayton Company real estate interests and one of the presidents of the
First National Bank of San Jose; Ethel, a graduate from the University of the
Pacific and associate with her father's company; Grace Elizabeth, who died in
infancy; John J.; and Florence.
Excerpt adapted from Eugene T. Sawyers'
History of Santa Clara County, California, (Los
Angeles: Historic Record Co, 1922), pp 803.
The following terms may be used to index this collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Clayton, James A.
(1831-1896)
Correspondence
James A. Clayton Family
Photograph Albums--California--Santa
Clara County (Calif.)--19th Century
Real estate business--California--Santa
Clara County (Calif.)--19th Century
Santa Clara County
(Calif.)
Tomas, Anna Louinia
(1843-1917)
The James A. Clayton Family Papers is composed of personal letters and photographs
from the Clayton family in Santa Clara County during the latter half of the 19th
century. The papers are divided into two series: Series I dates from 1850 to 1896
and contains letters and postcards between James A. Clayton, his wife Anna, and
their children. Series II contains the Clayton family photograph album, which spans
the latter half of the nineteenth century and the dawn of the twentieth century. The
majority of these photographs consist of portraits of immediate and extended family
members, along with friends and associates.
Arrangement of the James A. Clayton Papers
The papers are arranged into two series:
- Series I: Correspondence, 1850-1896
- Series II: Photographs, 1850-1905