Middleton Parker family papers
Collection Overview
This collection consists of correspondence, memoirs, literary manuscripts, photographs, genealogical charts, clippings, and other materials relating to the early Middleton, Parker, Robertson, Hazelhurst, Whaley, and Smith families of Charleston, South Carolina, as well as information about their historic homes and activities. Materials were compiled primarily by Elizabeth Middleton Parker. Notably, the collection contains assorted research materials and manuscripts related to My Homes, a memoir written by her mother, Elizabeth Whaley Middleton, which was published posthumously in 1998.
Dates
- Creation: 1860s-2020
Creator
- Parker, Elizabeth Middleton (Compiler, Person)
- Middleton, Elizabeth Whaley, 1897-1990 (Person)
- Middleton family (Family)
- Whaley family (Family)
- Smith family (Family)
- Parker family (Family)
- Robertson family (Family)
- Hazelhurst family (Family)
Language of Material
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions
This collection has been minimally processed, but is open for research.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Biographical Note
Elizabeth Middleton Parker (1918-2014) was born in Charleston, South Carolina, to George Abbott Middleton (1893-1970) and Elizabeth Whaley Middleton (1897-1990). She graduated from Ashley Hall in 1936 and married William Hebard Briggs II in 1941. During World War II, she served as an airplane spotter with the Ground Observer Corps. In 1946, she married Francis LeJau Parker II. Parker graduated from the College of Charleston in 1978. She was actively involved in several organizations in Charleston, including the Preservation Society, the Historic Charleston Foundation, and the Aiken-Rhett House. As a writer, she worked at the Charleston Evening Post and posthumously published her mother's memoir, My Homes, in 1998. Elizabeth had three children: William Hebard Briggs III, Elizabeth Middleton Parker Dixon, and Frances Frost Parker Magee.
Full Extent
7.5 linear feet (13 document boxes, 1 slim document box, 1 small flat box, 2 storage tubes, 1 oversize rolled item, 3 oversize paper folders)
Abstract
Assorted materials, including correspondence, memoirs, literary manuscripts, genealogical charts, clippings, and other materials relating to the Middleton, Parker, Robertson, Hazelhurst, Whaley, and Smith families of Charleston, South Carolina. Materials compiled by Elizabeth Middleton Parker.
Collection Arrangement
- Parker family, 1880s-1990
- Middleton family, 1880s-2020, undated
- My Homes research and manuscript materials, approximately 1880s-2018
- Hazelhurst family, 1880s-1973, undated
- Smith family, 1892-2011, undated
- Whaley family, 1860s-2013, undated
- Robertson family, 1860s-1982, undated
Acquisitions Information
Materials donated in 2025 by William Hebard Briggs, Elizabeth Middleton Parker Dixon, and Frances Frost Parker Magee.
Separated Materials
Published books originally with the collection have been removed and cataloged separately.
Processing Information
Minimally processed by Josh Minor, November 2025. For preservation purposes, the collection was re-housed upon receipt by transferring materials into acid-free boxes and placing loose materials into acid-free folders. This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
Subject
- Middleton, Elizabeth Whaley, 1897-1990 (Person)
- Middleton family (Family)
- Whaley family (Family)
- Smith family (Family)
- Parker family (Family)
- Robertson family (Family)
- Hazelhurst family (Family)
Source
- Dixon, Elizabeth Middleton Parker (Donor, Person)
- Magee, Frances Frost Parker (Donor, Person)
- Briggs, William Hebard (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Middleton Parker Family Papers, 1860s-2020
- Status
- Minimal Record
- Author
- Minimally processed by: Josh Minor ; finding aid created by: Josh Minor
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Special Collections
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424
(843) 953-8016
(843) 953-6319 (Fax)