John Packer

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John Packer (say 1631–probably after c. 1685)

Elizabeth Unknown (say 1636–by 1678)

The origins of John Packer, probably the migrant ancestor, are unknown. He was born say 1631. He probably died after about 1685. He married first Elizabeth Unknown. [1] He married second Rebecca (Wells) Latham on 24 June 1678 in New London. [2] Rebecca was the widow of Thomas Latham, the son of Cary Latham.

Elizabeth Unknown was born say 1636. She died before 24 June 1678, when her husband remarried.

John Packer was a carpenter and he came to the part of New London that was later set off as Groton as early as 1651. [1]

John was an early settler of Groton, living close to the Pequot Indians at Naiwayonk. [3]

In April 1657 John Packer testified before the court that at a Pequot town meeting it was voted that the inhabitants of Mistick and Paucatuck should be a separate town. He said the he himself opposed the idea. [4]

Mr. William Thomson of New London, who was moving to Virginia, was indebted almost 30 pounds by a bill held by John Packer and on 13 October 1664 the court ordered part of his estate secured. [4]

On 24 July 1665 John Parker requested that, “Lieftenant Avery and James Morgan may issue the business yt is now in contest betwixt him and the Indians at Naiwayuncke.” [3]

Elizabeth might be Elizabeth Friend, the daughter of John Friend of Salem. John wrote his will on 4 April 1655 and left bequests to his son Samuel and his daughter “Elizabeth Pecker.” John was also a carpenter. John and Elizabeth named their first two children John and Samuel and their daughter Elizabeth had a son named Friend. [1]

Elizabeth signed a deed with her husband in 1671. [1]

Children of John Packer and Elizabeth Unknown: Names in [3]

i. John Packer was born in February 1656/7. He died in 1701. He married first Lydia Latham. He married second Sarah Miller.

ii. Samuel Packer was born about 1661. [1]

iii. Richard Packer was born in 1663. [1]

iv. Mary Packer died by 1730. She married Ephraim, the son of Edward Culver. [1]

v. Elizabeth Packer was born about 1669/70. She married first John Stark of Groton. She married second John Weeks of Groton. [1]

vi. Sarah Packer was born about 1672. She died on 18 November 1734 in Stonington. She married James Dean of Stonington on 2 June 1697. [1]

vii. Tamzen Packer married first Luke Brumbly about 1691. She married second Robert Parke on 17 January 1698. [1]

Children of John Packer and Rebecca Wells:

viii. Rebecca Packer was baptized on 13 July 1679. [11]

iv. Captain James Packer was baptized on 11 September 1681. [1] He died on 24 April 1765. [1]

v. Joseph Packer died before 1723. [1]

Joseph went to Kingston. [1]

vi. Benjamin Packer died between 1709 and 12 June 1711, when his will was proved. [1]

Benjamin, being impressed to fight the French, made his will in 1709 and never returned. He left his estate to his brothers James and Joseph and his sister Rebecca. [3]

Endnotes

1. W. Herbert Wood, “John Packer of Groton, Conn.: His Wives and Children,” The American Genealogist 28 (1952), 175–6.

2. "Connecticut: Vital Records (The Barbour Collection), 1630–1870," database with images, AmericanAncestors.org > New London, 226. John, Jr. married Mary, the widow of Thomas Latham on 24 June 1678.

3. Frances Mainwaring Caulkins, History of New London, Connecticut (New London: H.T. Utley, 1895), 324.

4. J. Hammond Trumble, The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, vol. 1 (Hartford: Brown & Parsons, 1850; vol. 2 (Hartford: F.A. Brown, 1852), vol. 3 (Case, Lockwood, & Co., 1859), vol. 1: 293, 432.

Revised July 4, 2023