In the 1880's I had a ggrandfather who's occupation on the census was oysterman. does anyone know just what that entailed. Sounds like he "fished" for oysters.

The Name and Family of Packer Compiled by,The Media ResearchBureau,Washingotn,D.C. Genealogical and Historical Sketch Media Research Bureau 1110 F. Street Washington,D.C. The name Packer is derived from the occupation of its first bearers as "packman or wool-packers". The name has changed very little in spelling, occuring in early records as, Packere,Paker, and Packer, of which the form last mentioned was that firmly established at an early date and is that used in America today. Resident at early dates in the English Counties of Bedford, Gloucester, York, Berkshire, Essex, Chester, and Kent, as well as in the city and vicinity of London, the Packers were, for the most aprt,of the landed and merchant classes. Among the earliest records of the name in England are those of Walter le Packere, of Bedfordshire, in 1273; those of William le Paker, whose son, Robert, held lands in Cheshire about the same time; and those of Matthew le Packere, Adam le Packer, and William le Packere, probably of Bedfordshire, during the same period. About the end of the fifteenth century Thomas Packer was in residence at the family seat at Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire. He married Margaret Keblewhite, sister to the mother of Sir Thomas White, the founder of St. John's College, at Oxford. Thomas and Margaret had issue of four children, Katherine, Robert, Thomas, and John. Thomas, son of Thomas and Margaret, had issue by his wife Joan of a son, also named Thomas, who married but had issue of an only child, Anne Packer, who married Henry Gibbs, of Gloucester. One Thomas Packer, who was living at Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire, about the middle of the sixteenth century and who is beleived to have been identical with one of the before-mentioned Thomas Packer's, of that place, was the father of two sons, Edward and Thomas. Of these, Edward married Joan Drinkwater, by whom he was the father of Thomas, Lewes, or Lewis, and John. Of these three brothers last mentioned, Thomas resided at Alston, in Gloucester, and had issue by his wife, Thomazin, daughter of Robert Westwood, of Robert, Edward, John, and William; Lewes or Lewis made his home at Cheltenham and was married before 1605 to Anne Rowcliff or Rockcliff, who gave him three children, Edward, William, and Anne; while John married Katherine, daughter of William Wakeman, and was the father by her of Anne, Mary, Catherine, Edwar, John, Alexander, William, and Richard Packer. In 1583 occur the marriage banns of one Edward Packer and Elizabeth Leonard, of London; and at a slightly later date is registered the baptism of John Packer, son of Andrew Packer, of Bowe Lane,London. The records of this line of the family are not, however, complete. About the year 1620 John Packer, of Westminister, was one of the Clerks of the Privy Seal. He married Phillippa, daughter of Francis Mills, who bore him six children, Elizebeth, Phillip, John (doctor of medicine at Oxford), William, Katherine, and Robert. Of these, Phillip, the eldest son, resided at Groombridge, County Kent. He married Isabel, daughter of Sir Robert Barkley, and was the father by her of Robert, Isabella, Katherine, John, Elizabeth, and Temprance. William Packer, of Dennington, in Berkshire, the son of John and Phillippa, acquired numerous estates in various counties in England. He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Saunders, and had issue by her of at least two children, John and Martha. And Robert Packer, the eldest son of John and Phillippa, possessed an estate at Shillingford, in Berkshire. He was politically active and became a Member of Parliment for Wallingford. He married Temperance, daughter of Colonel Edward Stephens, of Gloucestershire, and was the father by her of John and Anne. Prominent both in England and America, Packers settled in this country in early Colonial times. In 1631 Thomas Packer, representative of His Majest's Privy Seal in Virginia, was bequeathed the greater part of the estate of John Smith, President of the Virginia Council and Admiral of New England. In addition to these estates, Thomas Packer was also granted the Smith coat of arms. Other early records of the family in the South include those of Edward Packer, Sheriff of Kent county,MD., in 1643; and those of Joan Packer, of Northampton county,VA., about the year 1654. The records of these lines are not, however, complete. Job Packer, who was born (parantage unknown) in 1754 in Chester county,Pa., was an active member of the Society of Friends. He married Hannah Lamborn and was the father oby her of twelve children, Sarah,William, (who married Ann Cooper),Hannah, Lydia,Job,(who married Orpha Wilson),Ann,Levi, (married Ann Crawford),James (died young), Gulielma,Huldah,Elizabeth, and Lewis, of whom the last two both died young. Philip Packer, an English Quaker, was one of the first immigrants to West Jersey, under the auspices of Willaim Penn. His son Phillip, married Ann Coats,by whom he had issue of James and Samuel. Of these, James married Rose Mendenhall, by whom he had issue of James, Samuel, and Willaim, of whom James married Charity Bye and had issue by her ooof a son, William Fisher Packer. And Samuel Packer, son of James and Rose, married Rachel Black, by whom he had a son, John Black Packer, of Sunbury,Pa. The Connectcut line of the family in America was founded by one John Packer, who first settled near the Pequot Indian Village at Noank. He removed to Groton, Conn., about the year 1651 and in 1655 was living at New London, in the same colony. There he built the family residence, occupied for several generations by members of the family. By his first wife, Elizabeth, John had issue of John, Samuel, and Richard. In 1676 he married a second wife, the Widow Rebecca (nee Wells) Latham, by whom he had further issue of Captin James, Benjamin, Joseph, and Rebecca. John Packer, eldest son of the immigrant of that name, married Lydia, daughter of Cary Latham, at New London, but died in 1701, probably without issue. Samuel, the second son of the immigrant John, also resided at New London. He is known to have married Mary Willaims,but his records are not complete. Captin James Packer, son of the immigrant John, married Abigail Avery in 1679 and was the father by her of Abigail and Desire. By his second wife, Elizabeth Springer,James had further issue of James, John, Joseph, Samuel, Ichabod, Lucretia,Nancy, Molly, Thankful, and Elizabeth. Other early emigrants of the name to New England were George Packer, who made his home at Portsmouth,R.I., in 1655; Thomas Packer, of Salem,Mass., before 1685; and another Thomas Packer, a physician, who came from London to Portsmouth,N.H., about 1686, being married in the following year to the Widow Elizabeth Hall. Nothing is definitely known concerning the immediate families of these settlers. It is, however, concidered probable the the last-mentioned Thomas Packer was the father of that Thomas Packer, Sheriff of New Hampshire, in 1741, who married Rebecca Wentworth about 1728 and had issue by her of two sons, Thomas and John. Joseph Packer, probably descened from one of the before-mentioned lines, married Rebecca Wells, by whom he had issue of a son, Elisha, who married his cousin Desire Packer. Elisha and Desire had two sons, Asa, who became a prominent educator in Pennsylvania, and Robert. This family removed from Groton, Conn., to Pennsylvania in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The Packers have been known, on the whole, for their integrity and for their active interest in the welfare of their compatriots. Sometimes posseddes of considerable ability in mechanical fields, and often of superior business judgement, they have acheived success in many lines of endeavor. Among those of the name who served in the American Revolution were, Edward, Arron, Bernard, Eli, Jesse, and Job Packer, of Pennsylvania; Bartholomew, Charles, Issac, James, Jedediah, Nathan, Nehemiah, and Noah Packer, of Massachusetts; William Packer of Virginia; Edward, John, Eldredge, and Robert Packer, of Connecticut; and George, Jacob, and John Packer, of New Jersey. Thomas, William, Robert,John, Phillip,James, Samuel, and Edward are some of the masculine Christion names favored by the family. A few of the many members of the family who have distinguished themselves in America in comparatively recent times are: ASA PACKER,(1806-1879), of Connecticut and Pennsylvaina, politician, jurist, railroad president, and philanthropist. WILLAIM FISHER PACKER (1807-1870), of Pennsylvania, journalist, State Senator, railroad president, and Governor. CLARENCE EDWARD PACKER,(nineteenth century), of Illinois, mechanical engineer. HORACE BILLINGS PACKER,(nineteenth century), of Pennsylvania, lawyer, State Senator, and Congressman. JOHN B. PACKER,(1824-1891), of Pennsylvania,lawyer, soldier, and Congressman. ALGERNON SIDNEY PACKER,(1830-1897), of New York and Nebraska, lawyer, Governor and United States Senator. PAUL C. PACKER (b.1886), of New York,educator. ALFERD HERBERT PACKER (b. 1889), of Illinois, electrical engineer. The coat of arms borne by the English family of Packer is described as follows (Burke, Encyclopaedia of Heraldry, 1844) Arms-"Gules,a cross,lozengy, between four roses argent" Crest-"A Moor's head couped sable, wreathed about the temples or and gules". Bibliography Bardsley. English and Welsh Surnames. 1901. Fenwick and Metcalfe. Visitation of Gloucester. 1884 Harleian Society. Gloucestershire Visitations. 1885 Harleian Society. Hunter's Familes Minorum Gentium. 1895 The Genealogist. Vol. 6. 1882 The Virginia ,agazine of History and Biography. 1907-1908-1915 Greer. Early Virginia Immigrants. 1912 Lamborn. Lamborn Geneology. 1894 Caulkins. History of New London,Connecticut. 1852 Savage. Genealogical Dictionary of New England, 1861. Frost. Eldredge-Dutcher Genealogy. 1925 H.C. Fish. Golden Wedding Celebration. 1867 J. Wentworth. The Wentworth Geneaology. 1878 Tyler. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography. Vol. 1, 1915 Massachusett's Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. 1887. Pennsylvania Muster Rolls. 1907 Virginia Revolutionary Soldiers. 1912 Connecticut Men in the Revolution. 1889 New Jersey Officers and Men in the Revolutionary War. 1872 The Encyclopedia Americana. 1932 Herringshaw. American Biography. Vol. 4, 1914 Burke. Encyclopedia of Heraldry. 1844. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHER RESEARCHER'S. Vicki

Can anyone tell me if there are any old Quaker churches in Gloucester, particularly around Deptford? Alternatively, are there any old Quaker church records that anyone is aware of? Regards all -- Judy

I have a Brasillier Bogard, who died early 1800's in Montgomery Co. Tn. He had a son, Joseph born in Pa, according to census records. This first name is sort of unuaual, that I have only found something similar, to it and it is in New Jersey. Barzillah Boger, in the rateables, of New Jersey. Anyone researching these line, have you come accross this man. He is a wanted man, so that I can go on with my line. Thanks Jane Bogard McBride.

Hi All -- I've just begun researching my Kimsey line in Gloucester County, and wondered what records are available from the late 1600s through the mid-1700s. I've located old tax bills and a few marriages. I'm looking for items such as wills, baptisms, etc. Can anyone tell me if such records exist for Gloucester Co.? At least a part of this family were Quakers -- does anyone know of any Quaker records, or old Quaker churches in the area? Also, what were the common countries of origin for most of the families in Gloucester Co. Did people who settled here tend to come from one country more than another? What were the ports of entry? There seem to have been a number of Kimseys in the area up until the mid-to-late 1700s, then they seem to evaporate. My hunch is that they all moved south, down into VA and NC, where they start showing again around 1750s. The name "Thomas Kimsey" appears frequently, both in the NJ and the VA/NC families. Any help will be greatly appreciated. And, if I can return the favor for anyone researching in western NC and eastern TN, I'll be glad to!! Regards -- Judy Kimsey

I am starting to research the family of John Morton who signed the Declaration of Independence can anyone out there help me? I'm looking for sons,grandsons down to Allen Morton. Thankyou, George

Hi. Yes, she is! Does anyone know anyone there or where it is located? Thanks for any leads. Joan in NJ

Here's another one. Information on the glass industry in Millville (Cumberland Co.) can be found at http://www.wheatonvillage.org/ >There is some information on the Heritage Glass Museum in Glassboro at > >http://www.fieldtrip.com/nj/98817468.htm > > > > >>I have received from a researcher in England the names of a number of my >>family members who were known glassworkers in that country in the 1700s and >>1800s. In his response he asked for information about glass factories of that >>period in the US. Although my Cliff and Montgomery ancestors worked at glass >>plants in NJ and elsewhere I have no definitive information that I can >>forward >>to him. Can anyone suggest the source of such info that I can acquire at a >>reasonable price? Thanks, Don Cliff

There is some information on the Heritage Glass Museum in Glassboro at http://www.fieldtrip.com/nj/98817468.htm >I have received from a researcher in England the names of a number of my >family members who were known glassworkers in that country in the 1700s and >1800s. In his response he asked for information about glass factories of that >period in the US. Although my Cliff and Montgomery ancestors worked at glass >plants in NJ and elsewhere I have no definitive information that I can forward >to him. Can anyone suggest the source of such info that I can acquire at a >reasonable price? Thanks, Don Cliff

I have received from a researcher in England the names of a number of my family members who were known glassworkers in that country in the 1700s and 1800s. In his response he asked for information about glass factories of that period in the US. Although my Cliff and Montgomery ancestors worked at glass plants in NJ and elsewhere I have no definitive information that I can forward to him. Can anyone suggest the source of such info that I can acquire at a reasonable price? Thanks, Don Cliff

Hi Bill, I just got your message. Where did you find info on that farm being given to the Ladds by Ben Franklin? Is it listed on a recorded deed? Would love to get more info. on this. Thanks, Joan in NJ

Hi, I saw your message on the GenForum. I am descended from So. NJ Lacys and wonder if you might have links to any of my ancestors. I am really stuck at William French Lacy, mid 1800s, who married Sarah Mood from Mullica Hill area. I would really appreciate any links you might have or other inf. Thanks so much. Joan Lacy Fitzsimmons. PS I can be contacted at: [email protected]

I am descended from John Wortle Brooks Dec.1845--June 1910. I have names of all his children and many grandchildren. He and his brother Thomas W. were well known shoemakers in Elmer and Camden, originally coming from England. If any of this sounds familiar or you can share names, please contact me. Thanks, Joan in NJ

Hi, Can anyone give me an Email address for this site? Thanks, Joan

Bill Thanks so much for the info. Thomas was my grandfather's (John "Jack" Henry Brooks) younger brother. Are you descended from Brooks also? Do you have any leads relating to Thomas' parents, my ggrandparents, John Wortle Brooks or Louisa Hose Brooks. Joan in NJ

David, Thanks for the reply. I'm not getting very far back beyond the 1880s with Ladds or Cranes! I'll save your address if I can go further back with this. Joan in NJ

Nancy, Thanks for the very nice offer. I might be contacting you after I receive more clues. Joan in NJ

I'm looking for info or links to my great-grandparents, William French Lacy married Sarah Mood from the Mullica Hill area. They had 7 children. The Mood ancestors come from Wurttemberg Germany. Their oldest child was my grandfather, Charles French Lacy b. Sept 14, 1882 d. May 15, 1960. He married Lillian Stevens Scudder,b.Sept.21,1883 d. ?, married 1909? They moved from Camden to Park Ave. in Pennsauken and had one child, my father, Wilmer French Lacy,b.April27, 1910 d. Jan. 5, 1998. He married Grace Ladd Brooks b. Oct 28, 1910, d. Jan. 14 1999.--married June 20, 1936. in Pennsauken UMC. I have additional names of Lacy family I can share if someone thinks there is a connection. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks, Joan in NJ

Hi, I' m trying to find info on my great-grandfather, John Wortle Brooks,b.Dec.1845,d. unk. immigrated from England. He lived in Elmer, running a shoe manufacturing company with his brother, Thomas W. Brooks b.1848,d.1910.--Thomas is buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Phila. John also lived in Camden when he was younger and became a naturalized citizen Jan. 1874 in Camden Co.,residing at 339 Mechanic St. then.(recorded March,1874). He married Louisa Hose,b.May 4,1845.d. unk. They had 9 children. John W. eventually moved to Merchantville in Camden Co. Any info or poss. links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Joan in NJ

Nancy, Thank you for your help, I appreciate it Frederick and Ida "Jane" are my greatgranparents. They use to own a laundry in Clayton and all the family worked very hard there. They also use to have a farm in Newfield but I don't know where. I've established a connection with "Jane" Crane Ladd's, ancestors on the Crane side with her name (1862 1914). She had a sister named Emma Crane who married Ralph Mote. I'm trying to locate links to Ladd or Crane names previous to Fred and "Jane." Thanks for your help. Joan in NJ