I am esearching the Packer family who had one or more winter homes in Jacksonville. Asa Packer made his fortune on railroads and coal in PA. He founded the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Lehigh U. His son Robert A. died in Jacksonville Feb. 20, 1883 at age 41. Asa's daughter and last surviving child, Mary Packer,at the age of 46, married Charles Commings in 1885. He spent much time in Jacksonville prior to their divorce in 1893. Reportedly the richest woman in the world next to Queen Victoria, Mary Packer Cunnings died in October 1812.

It is presmed that the family travelled to their Florida home(s) by provate rail coach.

Can anyone tell me anything about when Jacksonille got a rail connection, when the Packers first came to Jacksonville, whether they had one or two properties theree, and anything else relating to this family?

I am also interested in obtaining copies of any Packer obits that may have appeared in Jacksonville papers:

Lucy Packer Linderman, d. July 22, 1873
Asa Packer, d. May 17. 1879
Sarah Blakslee Packer, d. Nov. 18, 1882
Robert A. Packer, d. Feb. 20, 1883
Harry E. Packer, d. Feb. 2 or 4, 1884
Mary Packer Cummings, d. Oct. 29, 1912

Thanks for any help. --- Susan in NJ