Wilbur Family Collection

Harry Wilbur (1866-1942) son of Warren Washington Wilbur and Helena Elizabeth Mather, whose grandparents were Henry/Harry Wilbur/Wilbor (1798/1800-1863/1866?) and Eveline Packer (1801-1868), was a member of Lehigh University’s Class of 1887. In 1893 he married Caroline “Carrie” Mary Erwin (1866-1940) who was the daughter of Ambrose John Erwin (1830-), a mayor of Bethlehem, Pa. and Mary Sophia Clauder Erwin (1831-). Both had an interest in genealogy. They resided at 444 North New Street, Bethlehem, Pa. with their children including sons John Warren (1897-1985), Warren Packer (1903-1940 - died of heart attack), daughters Mary Helena Wilbur (b.1895) who married in 1920 Edgar George Frank (1892- ) of Owego, New York and Marion Louise Wilbur (b.1905) who in 1929 married Horace Julian Bowles of Greenwood, South Carolina [had a sister Ethel], as well as Caroline’s uncle Edward Francis Erwin (1841-1927). As a Packer/Wilbur families genealogist, Harry did not consider himself a direct descendent of John Packer of Mystic, Connecticut but rather Ichabod Packer whose genealogical line produced Asa Packer. Harry and Carrie were avid and dedicated genealogists. They specifically traced their Erwin and Mather families. Their great- granddaughter Marina Elena Pacini (1954- ), a granddaughter of Mary Helena Wilbur Frank (1895- ) donated this collection to Lehigh.
A supplemental collection known to the Southside Bethlehem Historical Society as the Mohr Collection stored with Lehigh University’s Wilbur Collection (SC MS 0250) was donated by Yolanda E. “Landa” Pacini Mohr (1946- ) daughter of Elizabeth Louise Frank (1921-2011) and Luis Pacini (1921- ) and sister of Marina Elena Pacini McCarthy who previously donated Wilbur material to SC MS 0250 collection.
Packer, Asa (1805-1879) born Mystic, Connecticut son of Elisha and Desiree Packer, brother of Robert W. (1809-1846/8?), Eveline Packer Wilbur and Eldridge. Was a carpenter apprentice to cousin Edward Packer who built canal boats on the Susquehanna River in Brooklyn Township, Pennsylvania near New York border. Also worked as carpenter in New York City and Tunkhannock on Susquehanna repairing canal boats. Later went to Springville Township south of Brooklyn Township where he met his wife Sarah Minerva Blakslee (1807-1882). They would have seven children but only four lived to adulthood: Lucy Evelyn (1832-1873) who married in 1856 Garrett Brodhead Linderman (1829-1885), Mary (1839-1912) who married Charles Cummings, Robert Asa (1852-1883), Harry Eldred (1850-1884). In 1833 they moved to Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe, Pa.) became owner of canal boat carrying coal to Philadelphia. Established the firm of A & R.W. Packer Company building boats for the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company and later a mercantile company. In 1851 Asa became a major stockholder in the Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill & Susquehanna Railroad which became the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He was active in politics and in 1842-43 a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1843-44 a judge of Carbon County which resulted in Asa always referred to as Judge, served two terms as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives beginning in 1853, made an unsuccessful bid for U.S. President in 1868 and Pennsylvania Governor in 1869. In 1865 he founded Lehigh University. Asa Packer died in 1879 from a fall down stairs in his Philadelphia home.
Packer, Robert W. (1809-1846/8?) born in Mystic, Connecticut, followed brother Asa to Pennsylvania and together set up business A. & R. W. Packer Company in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania building canal boats for the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company as well as a mercantile store which he took to Reading, Pennsylvania on the Schuylkill River. In Reading he married Esther Baker and they had daughter Helena Augusta Packer (c. 1840-1881?) who married Rollin Rathbun and in 1879 Robert Heysham Sayre.

Linderman, Lucy Evelyn Packer (1832-1873) first born child of Asa and Sarah B. Packer was only child to give Asa and Sarah grandchildren. She married in 1856 Garrett Brodhead Linderman (1829-1885) who early in life was a physician but later became a businessman involved with the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Bethlehem Iron Works. Together they had Sallie Packer Linderman Wilbur, Asa Packer Linderman, Robert Packer Linderman, Garrett Brodhead Jr. and Harry Packer Linderman.
Linderman, Garrett Brodhead (1829-1885) whose first wife was Asa Packer’s first daughter Lucy Evelyn was a physician but later a successful business man. On her death his second wife was Francis Armenia Evans and they had three daughters: Lillian V. Linderman Wilbur, Ida and Helen Linderman.
Sayre, Robert Heysham (1834-1907 born in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pennsylvania but family moved in 1828 to Mauch Chunk because his father William worked for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. He was married four times: Mary Evelyn Smith, Mary Bradford Brodhead, Helena Augusta Packer Rathbun and Martha Finley Nevin. He was an engineer who help build the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
Mather, George Henry had a lease on the Luckenbach Mill after John Schneider (1777-1825), the last salaried miller for the Moravian Congregation retired.
Mather, Henry (1806-1871) of the Richmond District of Philadelphia was elected as a First Major of the Second Regiment of the Philadelphia County Volunteers of the Uniformed Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Second Brigade of the First Division composed of the Uniformed Militia of the City and County of Philadelphia from 1851-1854 officiated by Governor William F. Johnston May 19, 1851. His military record indicates he was in service from about 1848 to 1861. His mother was Margaret Shively Mather (1788-1872) and his father was Jesse Mather (1777-1824) who was a judge of elections in 1822 in Greenwood Township. Margaret Shively Mather was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania but several of her children were born in Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania: Samuel (1804), Henry (1806-1871), Sarah (1808), Elizabeth (1810), Hannah (1812), Jesse (1815) John (1822) but James (1825-1904) was born in Greenwood Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania and possibly Helena Elizabeth (1829-1904). Apparently in 1853 she moved with her son James to Wisconsin. James married Sarah B. Cox (1830-1910) and they lived in Wisconsin. He was a farmer. One of their children was Jesse Abbott Mather (1852-1927).


Mather, Henry/Harry [1857-1941] coal dealer located on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia; married in 1885 Mary Katherine Packer, a daughter of Joseph L. Packer, a friend of Robert W. Packer of Reading, PA. In 1892 a Henry Mather farmed land at Greenwood near Bloomsburg, Pa. deeded by Mrs. H. Elizabeth Wilbur [Helena Elizabeth Mather Wilbur/Mrs. Warren W. Wilbur) to a Parker family.
Mather, Jesse (1777-1824) Pottsville, Pa. married to Margaret Shively, also of Pottsville. Jesse Mather’s name is associated with being a judge of elections in Greenwood, Columbia County, Pennsylvania in 1822. One of his sons was Henry Mather (1806-1871), another was Jesse (b.1815) both born in Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania. It is believed that this Jesse [wife Julia] sold land in Schuylkill County in 1854 to his brother Henry Mather who was living in Philadelphia with a coal business. In 1853 their brother James moved to Illinois/Wisconsin to take up farming and their mother Margaret Shively Mather moved also based on the post mark on an envelope that Margaret addressed to her son Henry living at 1364 Richmond Street, Philadelphia.
Mather, Margaret Shively (1788-1872 born in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania was married to Jesse Mather (1777-1824) also from Pottsville who was a judge of elections in Greenwood Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania in 1822. They had the following children in Lewisburg, Union County: Samuel (1804), Henry (1806-1871), Sarah (1808), Elizabeth (1810), Hannah (1812), Jesse (1815), John (1822) but James (1825-1904) and possibly Helena Elizabeth (1829-1906) were born in Greenwood Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania. She lived in Illinois apparently with her son James who moved there in 1853.
Wilbur, Elisha Packer (1833-1910) son of Henry Wilbur (1798/1800-1863/1866?) and Eveline/Evelyn Packer (1801-1868), brother of Warren WashingtonWilbur (1826-1888) and Annie Packer Wilbur Lockhart (1829-1871), nephew and secretary of Asa Packer. Married to Stella Mercer Abbott (1839-1920) whose parents were Merit/Meritt Erskine (1806-1874) and Isabel Ross Adams Abbott (1810-1892). Elisha and Stella Wilbur had eleven children: Warren Abbott (1859-1932), Isabel E. Wilbur (1861-1909), Rollin Henry (1863-1938), Asa Packer (1867-1871), Elisha Packer Jr. (1870-1948) in 1891 married Katherine Victoria Thomas (1872?-1950) of the Thomas Iron Works family, Merritt Abbott (1871/2-1888), Ray (1873-1918), Harry Packer (1875-1951), Eldredge Packer (1877-1960), Kenneth (1882-?), Robert (1885-1885). Merit/Meritt? Abbott, [a business associate of Alexander Lockhart] accompanied Asa Packer and John Leisenring on a business tour of Europe researching the making of steel. Elisha Packer Wilbur was a Lehigh University Trustee, as well as being a southside Bethlehem banker.
Wilbur, Harry Packer (1875-1951), son of Elisha Packer Wilbur (1833-1910) who was nephew of Asa Packer) and Stella Abbott Wilbur (1839-1920). Graduate of Lehigh University Class of 1898. He entered the U. S. Army served in the Spanish-American War and World War I. In 1903 he married Mary “Mamie” Cornwall Widdifield. The Wilburs had five children: Harry Packer Jr. [Lehigh Class of 1930], Mary Stella (Wood), Elisha Packer III, Frederick Wells and Elizabeth Wells (Miner). He retired from the Army in 1922 as a full Colonel and became president of the Sayre Land and Water Company. He and his family owned one of the “1000 Islands” in the St. Lawrence River originally named Hog Island changed to Reveille Island later to Sport Island. Harry Packer Wilbur Jr. was designated a Carnegie Hero in 1928 for saving Richard R. Macsherry from drowning at Rockport, Ontario.
Wilbur, Henry/Harry Wilbor (1798/1800-1863/1868?) [variation on Wilbur spelling] married Evelyn/Eveline Packer (1801-1868) in 1820, a sister of Asa Packer. They had Warren Washington (1826-1888), Elisha Packer (1833-1910), and Annie Packer Wilbur (1829-1871) who married Robert Lockhart, son of Alexander Lockhart who had a store in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania.
Wilbur, Warren Abbott (1859-1932) born in Bethlehem son of Elisha Packer and Stella M. Abbott Wilbur, parent of Robert E. Wilbur; Warren A.’s first wife was Sallie P. Linderman [daughter of Dr. Garrett B. Linderman and Lucy Packer Linderman], second wife was Kate Ellen Brodhead [daughter of Charles and Camilla Brodhead] they married in 1901. Warren Abbott founded the Bethlehem Foundry and Machine Company was chairman of the E.P. Wilbur Trust Co. among many other business affiliations including the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He graduated Swarthmore College.
Wilbur, Warren Washington (1826-1888), son of Henry Wilbur [Harry Wilbor] (1798/1800-1863/1868) and Eveline/Evelyn Packer (1801-1868) (a sister of Asa Packer). He was a brother of Elisha Packer Wilbur Sr., Annie Packer Wilbur (1829-1871) who married Robert Lockhart (1819-1899). Warren was the husband of Helena Elizabeth Mather (1829-1906). They were parents of Annie Packer Wilbur (1860-1926) who married Fred P. Spalding (1857-1923), Harry Wilbur (1866-1942) [Lehigh Class of 1887, who married Caroline Erwin] and Marion Skeer Wilbur (1868-1930). Warren was in the railroad business and had two patents to his name for improvements to railroad running equipment: bar axle lubricator and pedestal box for railway cars. He and his wife lived early in their marriage at Port Richmond, a district in Philadelphia and near her brother Henry Mather who was in the coal business. Later in life Warren suffered a stroke which incapacitated him and caused his death.
Wilbur, Warren Packer (1903-1940) born in Bethlehem, Pa. son of Harry and Caroline Erwin Wilbur, brother of John Warren Wilbur, Helena who married Edgar G. Frank, Louise who married H. Julian Bowles and William. Graduated with Lehigh’s Class of 1924. Based on two letters he signed “Pack” written in late 1925, he apparently was in treatment for ulcers, had poor health but was a jolly letter writer. “Pack” was married to Mary Duhig/Dunig? Richardson.

Wilbore, William from Braintree, Essex, Portsmouth, Rhode Island and brother to Samuel Wildbore (d.1658?). Harry Wilbur (1875-1951), son of Elisha Packer Wilbur who was Asa Packer’s nephew, considered himself a direct descendant of this family member making all the other Wilburs descendants also, although some claim Samuel as their direct antecedent. Wilbur is a variation of the Wildbore - a spelling that must have changed to Wilbur around the time Harry Wilbor/Henry Wilbur married Evelyn Packer in 1820 because their first son Warren Washington Wilbur (1826-1888) carried the Wilbur spelling as did all their other children..
Erwin, Arthur (1726-1791) arrived in Philadelphia in 1768 with his children by wife Mary Scott Erwin who died during voyage from Ireland. By early 1769 he settled in Bucks County having bought 944 acres in Tinicum Township site of Erwinna, Bucks County. In 1771 he married Mary Kennedy of Springfield Township and they had six children: Samuel, Mary, Rebecca, Arthur, Francis and John. Arthur served in the Revolutionary War as a commissioned Colonel of the 4th Battalion of Bucks County and later the 2nd Battalion. Lore has it that he supplied some of the boats used to transport Washington and his troops across the Delaware Christmas Day 1776. In 1791 he became a victim in the border war between settlers in Pennsylvania and Connecticut and was assassinated by the Connecticut settlers who disputed his land purchase at Tioga Point in Luzerne County. He also owned land in New York state in the vicinity of Painted Post and Erwin, New York.
Hendry, J. Oakley, son of Joseph Mickle and Lena [Mather] Hendry (1837-1917). Joseph was eldest son of Dr. Charles Dufffield and Maria Mickle Hendry of Haddonfield, New Jersey. Oakley was a cousin of Harry Wilbur and a fellow avid genealogist. They shared an interest in the Mather family and its connection with them. Oakley had been a clerk with the Reading Railroad but suffered poor health so devoted time to genealogy.
Pacini, Elizabeth “Betsey” Frank (1921-2011), daughter of Mary Helena Wilbur and Edgar George Frank of Owego, New York, attended Moravian College and graduated from University of Michigan. She had a vintage clothing boutique - Fol-de-Rol - on Third Street in South Bethlehem circa 1984. At age 65 she was among the pioneers to revitalize Third St. in South Bethlehem. She was a founding volunteer of Lehigh University’s Zoellner Art Gallery. She was married in 1946 to Luis “Louis” Pacini (1921- ?), son of Mr. & Mrs. Humberto Pacini and grandson of Antonio Pacini, former Italian consul in Barranquilla, Colombia. Mr. Pacini studied architecture at Yale University. Their children are: Yolanda (1946) [Thomas] Mohr, Deborah (1948) [Reebee Garofalo], Carlos A. (1950), Luis E. (1952), Marina Elena (1954) [David McCarthy] and Elizabeth B. (1956) [Dirk Jan Van Der Linden] - Yolanda and Marina Elena donated this Wilbur collection to Lehigh University.