Guide to the Knight Family Collection, [1854-1984]

The Knight Family Collection consists of a variety of materials relating to personal family fonds spanning five generations. The items in this collection range from before the Civil War (1854) to 1984, but the majority of the materials cover the period between the 1870s and the 1940s. The bulk of this collection relates to Dr. Benjamin Knight, Jr. (1836-1905), his son Judge Benjamin K. Knight (1874-1947), and their immediate families. This collection includes photographs, correspondence, journals, legal documents, land deeds, 19^th century medical school records, newspaper clippings, personal records and memorabilia relating to all aspects of family life in Santa Cruz.

Diaries of Benjamin Knight

The Knight Family Collection consists of the family records generated primarily by four generations of the patriarchal line, spanning the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. The Knights were an influential Santa Cruz family, first arriving shortly after the American Civil War. These documents include correspondence, legal documents, photographs, journals, and personal papers detailing the everyday lives of a prominent family in a small California coastal community.  Though the collection contains information pertaining to five generations of the family, the bulk of the collection focuses on four generations of Benjamin Knights: Benjamin Knight, Sr. (1803-1883), a machinist; Dr. Benjamin Knight, Jr. (1836-1905), a Civil War veteran, medical doctor, owner of Knight’s Opera House, and state senator of California; Benjamin K. Knight (1874-1947), a district attorney and judge; and Benjamin B. Knight (1899-1989), a district attorney and veteran of World War II.

The family patriarch, Benjamin Knight, Sr. (1803-1883), a machinist from Rhode Island, came to California in 1850 on a mining expedition, where he built the first log cabin on the present-day site of Nevada City. After two years he returned east. He worked for a time in the industrial northeast to support his family in Rhode Island. He and his wife, Amey Ballou Knight, had nine children: Obediah, Mercy, Mary, Noah, Benjamin Jr., Amey, Lucina, Thomas, and Lucretia. For nearly 30 years Benjamin Knight Sr. kept a diary of daily activity, noting the weather, work accomplished each day, and major events, including the assassination of President Lincoln and the end of the Civil War.

Dr. Benjamin Knight, Jr. (1836-1905), fought in the Civil War along with two of his brothers, serving nearly two years in the Massachusetts Cavalry before resigning due to ill health. Once discharged, he began studying medicine at Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1868, where he specialized in Hysteria (a 19^th century medical term for a functional disturbance of the nervous system, nearly always associated with women). In 1869 he married Lydia Anna Killey and on the same day they left for California to begin a new life together. In 1872 his parents (Benjamin Knight Sr. and Amey Ballou Knight) came out west to live with them. Dr. Benjamin Knight, Jr. became a well respected and prominent member of the Santa Cruz community. He served as a school trustee, was made county physician in 1880, and was elected as the state senator in 1883 for Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties. He worked with some of the most powerful and influential men in California political history during this time. In 1887 Dr. Benjamin Knight, Jr. bought the Opera House. An important local venue, the Opera House was known for the wide variety of entertainments that were produced there, ranging from Shakespearean dramas to the “Red Stocking Blondes,” a production for men only. The Opera House was closed in 1921. Meanwhile, Dr. Knight and his wife had added four children to their lives: Edith, Ida, Mary Alice, and Benjamin Killey Knight.

Benjamin Killey Knight (1874-1947) was the only son of Dr. Benjamin Knight, Jr. As a young man he served as treasurer for a traveling minstrel group that performed at Knight’s Opera House. He was expected to follow the footsteps of his father and study medicine, but instead he showed an interest in the law. At the age of 21 he graduated from Ann Arbor College (Michigan) in 1895 and came home to start practicing law in the office of the Santa Cruz County District Attorney, Carl E. Lindsay. In 1896 he married Helen Bliss of San Jose, and they had three children: Edith, Marion, and Benjamin Bliss Knight. In 1904 Benjamin K. Knight bought the house at 42 Locust Street, which served as the family residence for the next 59 years. In 1898 he ran for Santa Cruz County District Attorney on the Republican ticket and won. He served as D.A. until 1914, when he was elected to the Santa Cruz County Superior Court bench, and in 1924 Judge Knight was appointed to the bench of the First District Court of Appeal, in San Francisco. He was re-elected in 1930 and served a 12 year term. Throughout his career his daughter Edith served as his secretary. A popular and influential man in the community, Judge Knight died in 1947.

Benjamin Bliss Knight (1899-1989), went to Mission Hill School and Santa Cruz High, and was on the rowing team of the University of California at Berkeley. He belonged to the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1918-1920, serving in the capacity of an apprentice seaman. In 1924 Benjamin B. Knight married Miriam Doyle, and they had a son, Benjamin Doyle Knight (1940-1984).  Benjamin B. Knight decided to follow his father’s profession and went to Hastings Law College, graduating in 1933. The following year he ran for Santa Cruz County District Attorney and won, a position he retained until 1943, when he reenlisted in the Marine Corps, serving stateside in domestic intelligence until the end of World War II. In 1946 he was appointed to the War Crimes Commission in Washington, D.C.

While the bulk of this collection refers to these four generations of Benjamin Knights, it also includes some documentation on another important branch of the extended family, the Stipovichs. After World War II a granddaughter of Benjamin K. Knight, Barbara Jones, married into the Stipovich family. The Stipovichs were a prominent Santa Cruz family and had been the proprietors of the California Restaurant on Pacific Avenue for many years. Photographs and menus of the Stipovich family and the restaurant are included.

The Knight Family Collection offers a unique perspective of living in the Santa Cruz area during this transformative time in California history. When the Knights first arrived, Santa Cruz was a tiny pioneer town whose industries in lime, leather, and lumber were just beginning. By the 1940s Santa Cruz had become a bustling small city of nearly 17,000 people. The photographs and letters contained in this collection illustrate the physical, social, and political development of the area, as well as family dynamics and community relations. Here one will find documents providing a wealth of information on the intimate daily life activities of people living in California during this time period.

 

Chronology

1850    Benjamin Knight, Sr. first comes to California; returns to Rhode Island

1861    Benjamin Knight, Jr., and brothers Noah and Thomas join the Massachusetts Calvary

1863    Benjamin Knight, Jr., honorably discharged due to ill health

1865    Civil War ends

1868    Benjamin Knight, Jr., graduates from Harvard Medical School

1869    Benjamin Knight Jr., marries Lydia Killey and moves to Santa Cruz, California

1872    Benjamin Knight Sr. and wife move to Santa Cruz, California

1880    Benjamin Knight, Jr., made county physician

1882    Benjamin Knight Jr., elected to State Senate to represent Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties (served until 1885)

1885    Benjamin Knight, Jr., elected President pro-tem of the California State Senate

1887    Benjamin Knight, Jr., buys Opera House

1895    Benjamin K. Knight graduates from Ann Arbor law school

1896    Benjamin K. Knight marries Helen Bliss in San Jose, California

1898    Benjamin K. Knight elected as District Attorney; reelected as D.A. until promoted in 1914

1904    Benjamin K. Knight buys family home on Locust Street

1914    Benjamin K. Knight elected to Superior Court as Judge; reelected until promoted in 1924

1918    Benjamin B. Knight joins Naval Reserves

1921    Knight’s Opera House closes

1924    Benjamin K. Knight promoted to Associate Judge, 1^st District court of appeals, reelected 1930

1933    Benjamin B. Knight graduates from Hastings Law College

1934    Benjamin B. Knight elected as District Attorney

1943    Benjamin B. Knight enlists in Marine Corps

 

References

Harrison, E.S. 1892. History of Santa Cruz County, California. San Francisco, CA: Press Publishing Co.

Koch, M. 1973. Santa Cruz County: Parade of the past. Fresno, CA: Valley Publishers.

Mathews, C. July 28, 1991. A classic immigrant tale. Santa Cruz Sentinel, pp. D-3.

Nelson, R.L. 2004. Old solider: The story of the grand army of the republic in Santa Cruz County, California. Santa Cruz, CA: The Museum of Art & History.

O’Day, E.F. October 4, 1940. The district court of appeal in San Francisco. The Recorder, pp. A1.

Prudden, A.E., ed. 2006. A legal history of Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz, CA: The Museum of Art & History.

Benjamin Knight (1803-1883) Marries Amey Ballou in 1827 (1805-1895)

Children:

Obadiah Mathewson Knight (1829- 1878)

Mercy Green Knight (1830-1871)

Mary Brown Knight (1832-1871)

Noah Mathewson Knight (1833-1910)

Benjamin Knight, Jr. (1836-1905) Marries Lydia Killey in 1869 (1850-1939)

 Children:

Edith Knight (1871-1952)

Ida Marcy Knight (1872-1938)

Benjamin Killey Knight (1874-1947) Marries Helen Bliss in 1906 (1873-1950)

 Children:

Benjamin Bliss Knight (1899-1989) Marries Miriam Elizabeth Doyle in 1924 (1898-1978)

Children:

Benjamin Doyle (1940-1984)

 Marion Knight (1902-1989) b.1901

Edith Knight (1907-1989)

Mary Alice Knight (1876-1885)

Amey Knight (1838-1839)

Lucina Knight (1839-1915)

Thomas Wilson Dorr Knight (1842-1868)

Lucretia Knight (1844-1907)

 Note: For further genealogical information see subseries III: A, Family Genealogies, or the archive clipping files, under The Knight Family.

This collection is organized into six series as follows:

Series  I. Photographs, 1860s-1980 (bulk 1880s-1940s)

Series  II: Correspondence, 1866-1950

Subseries  II.A: Benjamin Knight, Jr., Family correspondence, 1866-1903
Subseries  II.B: Benjamin Knight, Jr., Business correspondence, 1874-1905
Subseries  II.C: Family correspondence, 1868-1950

Series  III: Family Documents, 1550-1971

Subseries  III.A: Family Genealogies (1550-1971), 187[?]-1971
Subseries  III.B: Legal Documents, 1866-1928
Subseries  III.C: Benjamin Knight, Jr., personal papers, 1855-1905
Subseries  III.D: Benjamin Knight, Jr., medical books, 1862-1911
Subseries  III.E: Benjamin K. Knight and family, personal papers, 1876- 1984
Subseries  III.F: Knight’s Opera House, 1886- n.d.
Subseries  III.G: California Restaurant, 1911-1928

Series  IV. Newspaper Clippings, 1876-1959

Subseries  IV.A: Benjamin Knight, Jr.: Newspapers, 1876-1879
Subseries  IV.B: Benjamin K. Knight Articles, 1898-1940
Subseries  IV.C: Benjamin B. Knight Articles, 1934-1954
Subseries  IV.D: Death Notices, 1903-1959

Series V. Journals of Benjamin Knight, Sr., 1854-1881

Diaries of Benjamin Knight

Subseries  V.A: Journals, 1854-1881
Subseries  V.B: Journal Contents, 1856-1881

Series  VI.  Artifacts, 18xx-xxxx

SERIES I.  PHOTOGRAPHS (1860s – 1980, bulk 1880s-1940s)

2.17 Linear ft.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series is made up of photographs generated by the Knight family from the 1860s to 1980. It includes family photographs covering five generations, and photos of Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas, particularly in the late 1880s. There are also several photographs of Knight’s Opera House (circa 1888), and the California Restaurant. The bulk of the photographs range in date from the 1880s to the 1940s. Most photographs are black and white prints in excellent condition. A few glass negatives are also included in this collection. Items of note include a photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt during a visit to Cowell State Park.

Photographs are arranged chronologically, and by main subjects in the picture.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

1:1       Benjamin Knight, Sr., and Amey B. Knight, 1897
1:2       Benjamin Knight, Jr., and family, circa 1863-1922
1:3       Benjamin K. Knight and family: Early Years, 1888-1906. Also stored in Oversize, Box 11
1:4       Benjamin K. Knight, and family, circa 1910- circa 1943. Also stored in Oversize, Box 11
1:5       Benjamin K. Knight, portraits, 1895- 1900
1:6       Benjamin K. Knight, portraits, circa 1905- circa 1940s
1:7       Marion K. Jones, and family, 1910-circa 1960s
1:8       Benjamin B. Knight, and family, 1899-1980
2:9       Edith Knight, circa 1912-1923
2:10     Benjamin K. Knight and family, 40^th Wedding Anniversary, 1946
2:11     Lucina K. Plant, circa 1860-1870
2:12     Stipovich family and California Restaurant, 1866-1913
2:13     Stipovich family, circa 1935-1945
2:14     Knight’s Opera House, circa 1888
2:15     Edith K. Dodge and family, 1892-1947. Also stored in Oversize, Box 11
2:16     Thomas Mathewson, Jr., 1926-1928
2:17     42 Locust Street, n.d.-1942
2:18     Santa Cruz, circa 1870s-1901. Also stored in Oversize, Box 11
2:19     Outside Santa Cruz, n.d. Also stored in Oversize, Box 11
2:20     No Identification, circa 1880s- circa 1905
Glass Plate Negatives of Benjamin Knight and Benjamin Knight, Jr in Box 4 of MAH Glass Plate Photograph Collection.
11:X     Oversize Photographs
12:X     Scrapbook (1918 – 1920), a gray covered scrapbook with orange squares and green leaves.  Book is labelled “Post Cards”. A bronze colored embossing of a woman in a flower field.
12:X     Scrapbook, Benjamin Knight (1933 – 1935), a blue marbled colored cover labelled “Scrapbook”.  Photo of woman with US Flag draped around her and Statue of Liberty in the background.
13:X     Photograph Album, black marbled cloth cover.  Photographs are primarily of family gatherings.
13:X     Scrapbook of Judge Benjamin Knight (1833 – 1890s), brown colored cover.
14:X     Photograph Album, black cover.  The pages are loose.  Photos are primarily of family gatherings.  There are photographs of the Great White Fleet, and sites around Santa Cruz.

Map Case Drawer labelled “KNIGHT”

– Certificate of Membership in Masons for Benjamin Knight, 16 January 1899
– Genealogy proof for Daughters of the American Revolution
– Large Photo of the Elk’s Club or Native Sons
– Election Certificate for Benjamin Knight to Judge of the Superior Court, 6 December 1920
– Political Cartoons
– Certificate for Benjamin Knight as attorney for Ninth Judicial Certificate
– Certificate for Ben Knight as District Deputy Grand President of the Native Sons of the Golden West
– Certificate of Membership in Masons for Benjamin Knight, Jr., 3 April 1869
– Genealogy for Benjamin Knight
– Appointment Certificate for Benjamin K. Knight as Associate Justice, District Court of Appeal, 25 February 1924
– Election Certificate for Benjamin Knight as Associate Justice, District Court of Appeal, 15 December 1942
– Genealogy for Benjamin Knight
– Discharge Certificate from 1st Massachusetts of Benjamin Knight, Jr., 14 October 1861
– Map of Glenwood Basin Tract with names on the various lots, June 1910
– A Centennial copy of the Declaration of Independence
– Certificate for the Great Seal of California
– Medical Certificate for Benjamin Knight from Massachusetts, 10 March 1869
– Map of Brookdale, 1910
– Certificate from the Elks for Benjamin Knight appointed as District Deputy, July 1917
– Medical Certificate for Benjamin Knight from California, 1 August 1887
– Board of Examiners Certificate for Benjamin Knight from California, 17 April 1873

SERIES II.  CORRESPONDENCE (1866 – 1950)

0.834 Linear ft.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series includes the collected correspondence of the Knight family. A majority of the correspondence was received by Dr. Benjamin Knight, Jr., generated by both his personal and professional life. A majority of the correspondence dates from the late 19^th to the early 20^th century. Envelopes were kept with the letters unless they were found empty.

This series is organized both chronologically and by whom letters were addressed to.

This series is organized into three subseries.

Subseries II.A  Benjamin Knight, Jr., Family Correspondence
Subseries II.B  Benjamin Knight, Jr., Business Correspondence
Subseries II.C  Knight Family Correspondence

SUBSERIES II.A.  Benjamin Knight, Jr., Family Correspondence (1866 – 1903)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains the letters and postcards received by Benjamin Knight, Jr., from various members of his immediate family over the course of his life.

The folders are arranged alphabetically by sender, and chronologically within each folder

Box ID#: Folder ID#

3:21     Melissa Knight to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1878-1880
3:22     Noah Knight to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1875-1880
3:23     Obadiah Knight to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1873-1875
3:24     Lucina K. Plant to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1875-1876
3:25     Various family to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1866-1903

SUBSERIES II.B.  Benjamin Knight, Jr., Business Correspondence (1874 – 1905)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains the letters and correspondence that Dr. Benjamin Knight, Jr. accumulated through his work as a prominent physician in the county and as a state senator during the first half of the 1880s. This series includes letters from fellow doctors, constituents, politicians, and local business persons.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by sender, and then chronologically. Items are also arranged chronologically within each folder.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

3:26     Charles Brigham to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1874-1875
3:27     J.D. Carr to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1881-1884
3:28     J.D. Carr to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1885-1888
3:29     Various to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 187[?]-1879
3:30     Various to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1880-1883
3:31     Various to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1884
4:32     Various to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1885
4:33     Various to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1886-1893
4:34     Various to Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1900-1905
4:35     Various to Benjamin Knight, Jr., n.d.
4:36     Empty Envelopes to Benjamin Knight, Jr., n.d.

SUBSERIES II.C.  Family Correspondence (1868 – 1950)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains the letters, postcards, and other correspondence sent to various members of the Knight family and their relatives, throughout their lives.

This series is arranged alphabetically by whom the letters were sent to, and chronologically within each folder.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

4:37     Edith K. Dodge, 1919-1942
4:38     Louise B. Gibb, 1904-1905
4:39     Benjamin B. Knight, 1950
4:40     Benjamin K. Knight, 1905-1946
4:41     Helen B. Knight, 1924-1947
4:42     Lydia K. Knight, 1875-1909
4:43     Obadiah Knight, 1875
4:44     Mary K. Mathewson, 1885
4:45     Jabez Plant, 1873
4:46     Lucina K. Plant, 1868-1909
4:47     Ida K. Stack, 1903-1905

SERIES III.  FAMILY DOCUMENTS (1855 – 1984)

1.79 Linear ft.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series includes the family documents generated by the Knight family over three generations. It includes family genealogies compiled by various family members to cover the Knight family, the Ballou family, the Bliss family, the Gross family, and the Killey family, with some information dating back to the 16^th century. This series also contains various legal documents relating to the family, personal papers, and materials relating to Knight’s Opera House and the California Restaurant. Overall, materials are in excellent condition.

This series is divided into seven subseries.

Subseries III.A Family Genealogies
Subseries III.B Legal Documents
Subseries III.C Benjamin Knight, Jr., personal papers
Subseries III.D Benjamin Knight, Jr., medical books
Subseries III.E Benjamin K. Knight and family, personal papers
Subseries III.F Knight’s Opera House
Subseries III.G California Restaurant

SUBSERIES III.A.  Family Genealogies (1550-1971)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries includes the family genealogies of the Knight family, the Ballou family, the Bliss family, the Gross family, and the Killey family. The date range for each folder is taken from how far back the lineage has been traced. For instance, in the Bliss family they traced their line back to 1550, even though this information was largely gathered in the 1940s.

The folders are arranged alphabetically. The contents are kept in the original order the archive received them in.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

5:48     Gross/Bliss Family Genealogy (1550-1976), 1941-1976
5:49     Killey Family Genealogy (1751-1926), 187[?]-1943
5:50     Knight Family Genealogy (1634-1947), n.d.-1947
5:51     Knight Family Genealogy (1524-1932), 192[?]-1932
5:52     Knight/Ballou Family Genealogy (circa 1740-1940), 1934-circa 1940
Additional items in Map Drawers

SUBSERIES III.B.  Legal Documents (1866 – 1928)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries includes the legal documents generated by the Knight family. In particular, this subseries includes tax records, pension documents, documents relating to the estate of Lucina K. Plant, land deeds and titles.

Folders are arranged in chronological order.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

5:53     Deed to Land, Bonny Doon Property, 1866-1907
Additional Items (i.e. maps) in Map Drawers
5:54     Deed to 42 Locust Street, 1875
5:55     Tax Records, 1879-1924
5:56     Deed to 42 Locust Street, 1883
5:57     Declaration of Homestead, 1885
5:58     Deed to Knight’s Opera House, 1890
5:59     Deed of Gift of Locust Street Property, 1905
5:60     Legal Document of Louise B. Gibb, 1905
5:61     Pension Documents of Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1890-1928
5:62     Property Document, no address, 1912
5:63     Lucina K. Plant Estate, 1916-1919
5:64     Lucina K. Plant Estate, 1920-1922
6:65     Abstract of Land Title for 42 Locust Street, 1866-1911
6:66     Abstract of Land Title for Bonny Doon Property, 1882-1913

SUBSERIES III.C.  Benjamin Knight, Jr., personal papers (1855 – 1905)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains the personal papers of Dr. Benjamin Knight collected and generated over his lifetime. These fonds include his medical school records, documents from the Civil War, his teaching certificates, remnants of a scrapbook, journals, and various other papers. Items of interest in this subseries include an autograph book filled with the signatures of California state senators and other politicians in 1885.

Folders and the materials within them are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

6:67     Benjamin Knight, Jr., Teaching Certificates, 1855-1867
6:68     Benjamin Knight, Jr., Reports of School Committees, 1859-1867
6:69     Benjamin Knight, Jr., Civil War Papers, 1861-1863
Additional Items in Map Drawers
6:70     Benjamin Knight, Jr., Medical School Records, 1867-1869
Additional Items in Map Drawers
6:71     Benjamin Knight, Jr., Journals, 1868-1878
6:72     Benjamin Knight, Jr., Various Papers, 1868-1905
Additional Items in Map Drawers
6:73     Benjamin Knight, Jr., Contents from Scrapbook, 1868-1887
6:74     Benjamin Knight, Jr., Medical Appointments, 1880-1885
Additional Items in Map Drawers
6:75     Benjamin Knight, Jr., State Senator, circa 1880s
Additional Items in Map Drawers
10        Benjamin Knight, Jr., Autograph Book, 1885
10        Benjamin Knight, Jr. or Sr., Sons of Temperance Medal

SUBSERIES III.D.  Benjamin Knight, Jr., medical books (1862 – 1911)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains the medical books of Dr. Benjamin Knight collected during his medical school years and after. These books include a medical dictionary, surgery techniques and medical theories of the 1860s, and studies on sexual psychology.

Books are located in the bookcase in the reference library.

Bartholow, Roberts. 1884. A practical treatise on material medica and therapeutics, 5^th ed. New York: D. Appleton and Co.

Druitt, Robert. 1867. The principles and practice of modern surgery, rev. American ed. Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea.

Ellis, Havelock. 1911. Studies in the psychology of sex, vol. 6. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co.

Gray, Henry. 1862. Anatomy, descriptive and surgical, 2^nd American ed. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea.

Gross, Samuel D. 1866. A system of surgery: Pathological, diagnostic, therapeutic and operative, 4^th ed., vol. 2. Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea.

Thomas, Joseph. 1886. A complete pronouncing medical dictionary. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co.

Wood, George B., and Franklin Bache. 1868. The dispensary of the United States of America, 12^th ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co.

SUBSERIES III.E.  Benjamin K. Knight and family, personal papers (1876 – 1984)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries includes the personal fonds generated by Benjamin K. Knight and his family, including school yearbooks, personal papers, University publications, and name cards.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by the person who generated the fonds. Within the folders items are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

7:76     Marion K. Jones Papers, 1939-1942
10        Marion K. Jones Scrapbook, 1919-1920
7:77     Benjamin K. Knight Papers, 1899-1984
Additional Items in Map Drawers
7:78     Edith Knight High School Literary Magazines, 1924-1926
7:79     Edith Knight Papers, 1923-circa 1960s
7:80     Lydia Knight Papers, 1876
7:81     Name Cards, Election Cards for Benjamin K. Knight and Benjamin B. Knight, circa 1890s-1934
7:82     University Publications, 1894-1918

SUBSERIES III.F.  Knight’s Opera House (1886 – n.d.)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This series consists of announcements for Knight’s Opera House productions in the 1880s. Edith Knight was an actor in one of the productions and is listed on the promotional flyer.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

7:83     Knight’s Opera House, 1886-n.d.

SUBSERIES III.G.  California Restaurant (1911 – 1928)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

The granddaughter of Benjamin K. Knight, Barbara Jones, married into the Stipovich family, who were responsible for the operation of the California Restaurant on Pacific Avenue. Items in this folder include newspaper articles and menus.

Items are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

7:84     California Restaurant, 1911-1928

SERIES IV.  NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS (1876 – 1959)

0.42 Linear ft.

Series Scope and Content Summary

These are newspaper clippings relating to the Knight family. This includes newspapers saved by Benjamin Knight, Jr., newspaper coverage of district attorney elections for both Benjamin K. Knight and Benjamin B. Knight, as well as death notices for several family members. Newspapers are in various states of decay, and many of the clippings are undated.

The folders, as well as the materials within the folders, are arranged chronologically.

This series is divided into four subseries.

Subseries IV.A Benjamin Knight, Jr.: Newspapers
Subseries IV.B Benjamin K. Knight Articles
Subseries IV.C Benjamin B. Knight Articles
Subseries IV.D Death Notices

SUBSERIES IV.A.  Benjamin Knight, Jr., Newspapers (1876 – 1879)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

These newspapers dating from the late 19^th century belonged to Benjamin Knight, Jr. During his lifetime Benjamin Knight, Jr., collected articles about himself in a scrapbook; the remnants of that scrapbook can be found in subseries III.C.

The folders and the materials within them are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

7:85     Benjamin Knight, Jr.: Newspapers, 1876-1879

SUBSERIES IV.B.  Benjamin K. Knight Articles (1898 – 1940)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

These articles are in connection with Benjamin K. Knight and his life as a district attorney, an appellate judge, and other events which led to his coverage in local and state newspapers.

The articles are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

7:86     Benjamin K. Knight Articles, 1898-1919
7:87     Benjamin K. Knight Articles, 1924-1940

SUBSERIES IV.C.  Benjamin B. Knight Articles (1934 – 1954)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

A majority of these articles are related to the 1934 race for the District Attorney’s seat in Santa Cruz County. The articles after 1934 concern Benjamin B. Knight in his role as District Attorney, his involvement in World War II, and his position at the Pentagon after the war.

Folders and the materials within them are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

8:88     Benjamin B. Knight Articles, June 1934- October 1934
8:89     Benjamin B. Knight Articles, November 1934-1954

SUBSERIES IV.D.  Death Notices (1903 – 1959)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains the death notices and obituaries of various friends and family of the Knights.

Folders and the materials within them are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

8:90     Benjamin Knight, Jr., 1905
8:91     Benjamin K. Knight, 1947
8:92     Various Friends and Family, 1903-1959

SERIES V.  JOURNALS OF BENJAMIN KNIGHT, SR. (1854 – 1881)

0.96 Linear ft.

Series Scope and Content Summary

For nearly thirty years Benjamin Knight, Sr., a machinist from Rhode Island, kept a daily journal in which he recorded the weather, the work he did that day, outstanding payments and debts, shopping lists, and significant events. Most journals include a pocket, in which Mr. Knight kept an assortment of papers, newspaper clippings, and other items of historical interest. Journals and their contents are in various stages of decay.

Diaries of Benjamin Knight

All items in this series are arranged chronologically.

This series is divided into two subseries.

Subseries V.A Journals
Subseries V.B Journal Contents

SUBSERIES V.A.  Journals (1854 – 1881)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries contains the actual journals of Benjamin Knight, Sr., as a record of his daily life. In particular, the author recorded the weather, the amount of work he performed, and any significant personal or world events, such as the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the end of the Civil War. All journals before 1872 refer to life in Rhode Island and Connecticut. After 1872 all journals refer to life in California. The only journals missing in this timeframe are from 1855, 1877, and 1880.

Journals are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

9:xxx Journal, 1853
9:110   Journal, 1854
9:xxx Journal, 1855
9:111   Journal, 1856
9:112   Journal, 1857
9:113   Journal, 1858
9:114   Journal, 1859
9:115   Journal, 1860
9:116   Journal, 1861
9:117   Journal, 1862
9:118   Journal, 1863
9:119   Journal, 1864
9:120   Journal, 1865
9:121   Journal, 1866
9:122   Journal, 1867
9:123   Journal, 1868
9:124   Journal, 1869
9:125   Journal, 1870
9:126   Journal, 1871
9:127   Journal, 1872
9:128   Journal, 1873
9:129   Journal, 1874
9:130   Journal, 1875
9:131   Journal, 1876
9:xxx Journal, 1877
9:132   Journal, 1878
9:133   Journal, 1879
9:xxx Journal, 1880
9:134   Journal, 1881

SUBSERIES V.B.  Journal Contents (1856 – 1881)

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

A significant number of the journals had a small pouch or pocket containing various items, usually receipts, shopping lists, bills, newspaper clippings, etc. We have laid out these items and placed them in folders in order to lessen wear and tear on both the journal and the individual pieces.

Items within the folders are arranged loosely by date or function when it was possible to discern. All folders are arranged chronologically.

Box ID#: Folder ID#

8:93     Journal Contents, 1856
8:94     Journal Contents, 1859
8:95     Journal Contents, 1860
8:96     Journal Contents, 1861
8:97     Journal Contents, 1863
8:98     Journal Contents, 1864
8:99     Journal Contents, 1865
8:100   Journal Contents, 1866
8:101   Journal Contents, 1867
8:102   Journal Contents, 1868
8:103   Journal Contents, 1870
8:104   Journal Contents, 1872
8:105   Journal Contents, 1874
8:106   Journal Contents, 1876
8:107   Journal Contents, 1878
8:108   Journal Contents, 1879
8:109   Journal Contents, 1881

SERIES VI.  ARTIFACTS (1800s – n.d.)

Linear ft.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series is made up of artifacts of the Knight Family. This includes a temperance medal belonging to either Benjamin Knight Sr., or Benjamin Knight Jr. There is also a baby’s christening gown, baby shoes, and a medical bag.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM COLLECTION

The following are the items taken out of Knight Family Collection and are currently kept in the Reference Library:

The American Mercury: A Monthly Review, February 1926. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Publisher.
The American Mercury: A Monthly Review, July 1926. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Publisher.
The American Mercury: A Monthly Review, August 1926. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Publisher.
The Bookman, April 1926. New York: George H. Doran Co. Publishers.
College Humor: The Best Comedy in America, March 1925. Chicago: Collegiate World Publishing Co.
Paxson, Frederic L., Edward S. Corwin, and Samuel B Harding, eds. 1918. War cyclopedia: A handbook for ready reference on the Great War. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
Stanford University Bulletin, February 1921. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Thimm, Franz. 1893. Spanish at a glance: A new system on the most simple principles for universal self-tuition with complete English pronunciation of every word, rev. ed. New York: Excelsior Publishing House.