The Philippa Parker Pfeiffer Collection (1890’s-1970’s)

Philippa Parker Pfeiffer (1902-1988) was born in Chicago to parents Virginia Parker and Charles Parker. After coming to Santa Cruz, Philippa attended Santa Cruz High School and San Jose State University and would go on earn a teaching credential in 1932. Philippa would teach in a variety of places such as in Pittsburg, Freedom, Santa Cruz, and even in Hilo, Hawaii. Philippa had many interests including music, gardening and preserving the environment, and reflected by her many efforts and membership in clubs such as the Sierra Club, particularly the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club which helped organize. Philippa was also a member of the Wilderness Society, Nature Conservancy, California Roadside Council, and the Save-the-Redwoods League, Santa Cruz Bird Clun and the Young Women’s Christian Association among others. Philippa earned several awards and held respected positions in clubs such as member of the board of directors of the Sempervirens Fund and being appointed to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission of Santa Cruz County where she served for seven years. Philippa also had interests in politics and history as evidenced by her participation as charter member in the American Civil Liberties Union of Santa Cruz, the Democratic Women’s Club and the Santa Cruz City Museum, the County Society for Historical Preservation, among others. Philippa was survive by son Frank Parker Higgins of Huntington Beach,her son with husband Frank L, Higgins whom she wed in 1926, and a granddaughter Teri Ann Higgins of Walnut Creek. Philippa later wed teacher Paul Henry Pfeiffer whom passed away in 1987. Philippa was not buried, rather her ashes were scattered over the Sierra Nevadas (Source: Philippa Pfeiffer Obituary, S.C. Sentinel 5/16/1988).

Series I. Letters and Genealogy 

Subseries I.A. Genealogy and Marriage License
Subseries I.B. Correspondence
Subseries I.C. Letters to Captain Charles Parker

Series II. Miscellaneous Mementoes

Subseries II.A. Invitations and Programs
Subseries II.B. Hair
Subseries II.C. Newspaper Clippings

Series III. Photos

Subseries III.A. Family Photos
Subseries III.B. 1915 Photograph

SERIES I. LETTERS AND GENEALOGY

Three (3) folders

Series Scope and Content Summary:

This series consists of three (3) folders containing primarily letters, various correspondence and genealogical information pertaining to Philippa’s families, the Pfeiffer’s and Parkers. Other items include a marriage license and letters to her father Captain Charles Parker. Date range: 1790s-1970s

This series is divided into the following subseries:

Subseries I.A. Genealogy and Marriage License
Subseries I.B. Correspondence
Subseries I.C. Letters to Captain Charles Parker

Subseries I.A. Genealogy and Marriage License

One (1) Folder, ten (10) items

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of one (1) folder containing approximately ten (10) or more items of genealogical and biographical information relating to the Parker, Pfeiffer, Butterworth, and Alexander families. Items include: one booklet entitled “The arms of the Butterfield and Butterworth Families”; two typed transcriptions of warrants/receipts of sale for servants to members of the Alexander family in Mechlenburg County in 1794 and 1808; letter (date?) from Florence Parker to Mrs. Pfeiffer concerning genealogical research; typed biography of the Butterworth (Philippa’s mother’s relations) family, Philippa Parker Pfeiffer, and her parents; marriage license for genealogical information on the Alexander family; ancestral chart for the children of Aaron Steele and Vivien (?) Alexander; marriage license (possibly photocopy) of Charles Parker and Virginia Butterworth, and more.

Box ID#:Folder ID#:

1:1

Subseries I.B. Correspondence

One (1) Folder, twenty (20) items

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of one (1) folder containing between seventeen (17) to twenty (20) items. These items are letters and envelopes addressed to Mrs. Frances Alexander Butterworth and Mrs. Paul (Philippa) Pfeiffer. These letters dates from 1907—1972 approx. and include notes from family and friends, including some inquiries about possible relations, deaths in the family and more. One letter of particular interest is dated December 1951 and written on “Electric Wheel Company” stationary, from F.F. Alexander to Paul and Philippa. The letter mentions how ‘our Francis’ (presumably Francis Alexander) wrote lyrics to a song entitled “Always, Always” under the pen name of J. Cavanaugh, and discusses F.F. Alexander’s inclusion of records to Paul and Philippa, including the aforementioned song. The letter also discusses how a relation named “Mitch” was making it big in Hollywood; one letter date 1907 relates how a relation of the Alexander family (relatives of the Butterworth’s) may have signed the Declaration of Independence.

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1:2

Subseries I.C. Letters to Captain Charles Parker

One (1) Folder, seven (7) items

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of one (1) folder containing approx. seven (7) letters, envelopes and items addressed to or concerning Captain Charles Parker (Philippa’s father). These items include: 1919 document form the Superior Court of the County of Santa Cruz, CA detailing a case involving Charles and Virginia Parker, in which Charles separated from Virginia without her approval; letter written on stationary for the American Commission to Negotiate Peace dated 1919 to Captain Chas. H. Parker of from Gilbert Close, Confidential Secretary to the President detailing the return of an autographed etching of old Versailles by the President, dated Paris, January, 1919 and much more.

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1:3

SERIES II. MISCELLANEOUS MEMENTOES

Three (3) folders

Series Scope and Content Summary:

This series consists of three (3) folders containing miscellaneous mementoes such as wedding invitations, programs and brochures for concerts and other events, newspaper clippings of obituaries and fascinating stories, certificates, receipts and a lock of hair. Date range: 1880’s-1960’s

This series is divided into the following subseries:

Subseries II.A. Invitations and Programs
Subseries II.B. Hair
Subseries II.C. Newspaper Clippings

Subseries II.A. Invitations and Programs

One (1) Folder, sixteen (16) items

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of one (1) folder containing approx. sixteen (16) items including: request for birth certificate c.1954; order form from T. Butterworth Agricultural Depot c.1867(?); wedding announcement for Ethel May and Frank Alexander c.1911; program for Hotel Newcomb Musicale c. 1892 (?); two programs for Quincy Conservatory of Music’s Pupil’s Concert 1891; wedding invitation for Tavia Ann Yager to James Powell Crowder 1964; booklet or program for “The Round Table, A Study of Shakespeare”c.1880s-1890s (?); booklet of the Constitution and by-laws of the Round Table Society of Quincy, Ills.; wedding announcement for Judith Charley (daughter of Charles Parker) to William Louis Duma 1919; wedding announcement for Philippa Parker an Frank Higgins 1926; and more.

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1:4

Subseries II.B. Hair

One (1) Folder, one (1) item

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of one (1), small, 6×4” folder containing one pouch with one lock of light golden-brown hair tied with tan twine. The lock is approx.7-9” in length when not stretched out, and curls slightly at the ends. It is unknown who the lock belonged to, but could be Philippa P. Pfeiffer’s.

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1:5

Subseries II.C. Newspaper Clippings

One (1) Folder, ten (10) items

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of one (1) folder containing ten (10) newspaper clippings from various sources and dates. Items include: obituary of Jessie Burnett Butterworth (no date, no source); 1945 clipping of article entitled “Monday Music Club Closes” from Society News in unknown paper; 1969 obit. Of Dorothy Alexander (no source); pieces of a page from the Chicago Tribune dated 1905, featuring an article on Thomas Chamberlin, Professor of Geology at University of Chicago (fragile!); clipping of photo pf Edith Barrett from the play “Parnell” performed at the Alcazar (no date or source); clipping of half an article from the Saturday Evening Post 1915 entitled “The Portsmouth Conference”; obit. Of Alexander Marks 1963 (no source); undated article on musician Mitch Miller with handwritten note on back “Two sets of these records were sent to me. Mrs Miller who writes under the name Cavanaugh-wrote words to “Always, Always”(no source for clipping).

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1:6

SERIES III. PHOTOS

One (1) folder, one (1) loose item

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of one (1) folder containing about eight black and white 4×6” and 5×7” photos as well as one large approx. 11×13” black and white photo of a large group of people mounted on brown cardboard and dated 1915. These photos are likely of the Parker, Pfeiffer, Alexander and Butterworth families. Date Range: 1900s-1970s.

This series is divided into the following subseries:

Subseries III.A. Family Photos
Subseries III.B. 1915 Photograph

Subseries III.A. Family Photos

One (1) Folder, eight (8) photos

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of approx. eight (8) black and white 5×6” and 4×6” photographs of family members likely from the Parker, Pfeiffer and Butterworth families. Photos include: three photos of Doris and Frank or Arthur Butterworth at their dome-shaped home in Arizona c.1975; photo postcard of three unknown individuals in front of a trestle bridge, unknown date, possibly mid-1900’s; undated photo (1900’s?) of three unknown individuals and an automobile in front of a home, possibly on Mission Street with “Home Sweet Home, Santa Cruz” written on the reverse; undated photo of individuals on unknown beach; undated photo of man and two young girls about 6-7 years old on beach in front of what may be the colonnade of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in mid-1900’s, may be Charles Parker and daughters; two fascinating photos of two unidentified men driving a large wooden barrel and/or tank down an unidentified street past horse carriages/wagons (undated).

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1:7

Subseries III.A. 1915 Photograph

One Photograph

Subseries Scope and Content Summary:

This subseries consists of one (1) large approx.11×13” black and white photograph mounted on brown cardboard, taken by an unknown studio. On the reverse is an inscription written in pencil that is difficult to read yet part of it appears to identify the date as Sept (?) 23, 1915. The photo depicts a large group of men and women, with twelve men and women featured in the foreground—one woman holding flowers, one young girl about 7-8 years old holding a basket of flowers, one young boy about 5 years nearby; American flags nag over the crowd and pierce the plane of the photo; a large crowd of people extends into the middle ground and background suggesting a celebration. This item is loose in the box (too large for folder) within a protective clear slip.

Box ID#:

1