Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 053
 Hod, Wright, JPD, Liz, Others Album (2024.13.50)
Portland, Maine
By Don Taylor

The Linwood D. Dyer Photo Collection is a remarkable historical archive, encompassing hundreds of carefully preserved images, documents, and genealogical records that paint a vivid portrait of life in Scarborough and its surrounding communities. Among its treasures lies this particular photo album, its spine bearing the intriguing notation “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS” – a cryptic reference to the faces and stories. While many photographs in the album contain detailed labels illuminating their subjects’ identities, others remain mysterious, their subjects waiting to be recognized and named. As a historian and curator, I have embarked on a meaningful mission to connect these historical photographs with descendants of the people they depict, offering families the profound experience of discovering previously unseen images of their ancestors. The original materials, including this album (Accession number: 2024.13.50), are preserved at the Scarborough Historical Society, serving as part of the broader Linwood Dyer Photo Collection’s enduring legacy.

Page 1

This album commences with two photographs, each labeled.

James Small, circa 1893.

This cabinet card features a man identified as James Small. The photographer was Ye Longfellow Gallery at 655 Congress Street in Portland, Maine. The Longfellow Gallery operated at this address from 1892 to 1910, placing the photo’s date between 1892 and 1910.

The 1900 US Census lists four James Smalls residing in Portland:

1. James A. Small (57), married to Marietta S. Small (54), living at 21 Parris Street.
2. James Small (32), married to Hattie L. Small (33), living at 52 Bramhall Street.
3. James A. Small (41), married to Oura E. Small (40), living at 161 St. John Street.
4. James Small (38), a widowed boarder residing with William Robb at 419½ Congress Street.

My previous genealogical research uncovered James A. Small (1842-1935), who married Marietta Hunnewell (1846-1923) on September 1, 1868.

The man in the photo appears to be in his late 40s or early 50s. If the photo was taken around 1893, James would be approximately 51 years old, aligning with the image’s appearance.

I am confident this is a portrait of James Austin Small (1842-1935). I have added his photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

---

Marietta (Hunnewell) Small, circa 1893

This cabinet card features a woman labeled “Aunt Met Hunnewell Small.” The photographer was Ye Longfellow Gallery at 655 Congress Street in Portland, Maine. The Longfellow Gallery operated at this address from 1892 to 1910, placing the photo’s date between 1892 and 1910.

I believe Susan Josephine (Plummer) Dyer created this photo album. If so, Marietta Hunnewell would be her step-aunt. The woman in the photo also appears to be in her late 40s or early 50s, aligning with her age if the photo was taken around 1893.

I am confident this is a portrait of Marietta (Hunnewell) Small (1846-1923). I have added her photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry.

---

Page 8

Forest Libby, circa 1890

This cabinet card features a young man labeled “Forest, Son of Luvy (Hunnewell) Libby & Addie Libby, Aunt Met Hunnewell Small.” The photographer was H. M. Smith, located at 257½ Middle Street in Portland, Maine. H. M. Smith appears in the Portland City Directory in 1891 and 1892 at this address. He moved to 478½ in 1893. He is absent from the directories between 1888 and 1890, suggesting he might have been operating at 257½ Middle Street during this period but was not listed. Therefore, I date the photo to approximately 1890, with a possible range of two years.

My prior research into the Libby family revealed Forest Libby (1867-), son of Samuel and Lucy Ann (Hunnewell) Libby. He was also the nephew of Susan Josephine Libby’s father-in-law.

---

Addie Libby, circa 1882

This cabinet card features a young woman labeled “Addie Libby.” The photographer is not identified on the front or back of the card. It is located in the photo album on the same pages as her brother, Forest Libby. Addie Libby passed away in 1886 at the age of 24. Based on her appearance, I estimate she is around 20 years old in the photo, placing the date at approximately 1882.

I have added both photos of Forest and Addie Libby to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry and to their respective FamilySearch profiles (KG49-6GJ for Forest and KG49-6GJ for Addie).

---

Page 9

Forest Libby, circa 1884 & 1886

This page includes two photos of the same man, both labeled “Forest Libby.”

The first photo was taken by Walter E. Chickering, located at 476 & 627 Washington Street in Boston. Walter E. Chickering was at 627 Washington Street in 1885 and 1886, 21 West Street in 1882, and 43 Winter Street in 1889, suggesting he might have been at 627 Washington Street between 1883 and 1888. Thus, I date this photo to approximately 1886, with a possible range of two years.

The second photo on the page lacks a photographer’s identification. However, Forest appears to be younger than in the other two photos. I estimate he is about 17 years old in this photo, placing the date at approximately 1884.

I have added all three photos of Forest to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree on Ancestry and to his FamilySearch profile (LZZM-VKX).

Conclusion

Family photographs hold an extraordinary power to connect us across generations, offering glimpses into the lives, personalities, and experiences of those who came before us. The discovery of an unseen photograph of a beloved ancestor can be a profoundly moving experience that collapses the distance of time and allows us to see our family members as they once were, perhaps in the full bloom of youth or childhood. If any of these images have helped you recognize a member of your family tree, I would be deeply grateful to hear your story and learn how these photographs have enriched your understanding of your family’s history.

For those interested in accessing the highest quality versions of these historical photographs for genealogical research, please note that due to technical constraints, the full-resolution images are available through Ancestry and Family Search, as noted. These photographs are shared freely for your family history research and documentation, with the simple request that you acknowledge their source with the citation: “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.” By sharing and properly attributing these images, you help maintain the vital connection between these historical materials and their custodians, ensuring that future generations can continue to discover and learn from these precious visual records of our shared past.