John Gayton - Sailor?

[genealogistsykes]

Hi All,

From what i have know already i have always thought that John Gayton's (1682-1732) occupation was postmaster of portsmouth, but now that i've seen something concerning him and his children i am taking into consideration that maybe he wasn't just a postman but maybe he was  sailor in his younger days?

On this auction site they where auctioning ADMIRAL CLARK GAYTON'S wooden chest and it gave a bit of information on his life it said: Admiral Clark Gayton was a son of a sailor and was the elder brother of Vice Admiral Gayton. - That has made me think that maybe he was a sailor.

Can someone please try and find the answer please?

Regards,

Genealogistsykes

[stanmapstone]

Clark Gayton,  naval officer, was baptized on 18 April 1712 at St Thomas's, Portsmouth, the third child and eldest son of John Gayton (d. 1737), sailor, and his wife, Eleanor, née Clark (d. 1750). He died 1784/5. George Gayton (1724–1797), who also became a vice-admiral, was his younger brother. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004.

Stan

[genealogistsykes]

okay thank you very much, i can't seem to find anything on him as a sailor though, that's the problem.

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

I wonder if this Seaman's will could be your John GAYTON,

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0d84/


It seems that the wills were made in  case they died to protect their belongings,

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/seamenswills.asp


Searching here,  putting John GAYTON in the word box and ADM in the Department or Series code box brings up some references to a John GAYTON boatswain. Also if you just put GAYTON there are references to Admiral GAYTONs.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0d85/


Regards,
Daisy

[genealogistsykes]

ahh okay yes, ive seen that if that was his will he would of been 17 in 1699.

[denmart18]

Is it possible that his occupation was Paymaster, not Postmaster? For the Navy?

[genealogistsykes]

what's a paymaster?

[denmart18]

Possibly too early to be called a Paymaster, I think he would have been called a clerk or purser at that time. In charge of ships supplies, later pay too.

Where did it say he was a postmaster? Think it was also too early for someone to be called that. certainly not a postman, although boatswain is a likely alternative.

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

Googling "John GAYTON" + postmaster brings up quite a few references for him at British History online.


Here is the Wiki explanation of the Postmaster General, so I suppose postmasters were needed to be in charge ofdifferent areas,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Postmaster_General#History

I love this hobby I learn something new everyday




I think it might be worth contacting Hampshire record office as I found this reference using their Search,


Bond for the administration of the estate of John Gayton of Portsmouth, mariner
Date 22 Oct 1737
Description Administration granted to Eleanor Gayton of Portsmouth, widow
 

Daisy