Dyer, Purington
2025.02.10
By Don Taylor
I returned to reviewing the white, 3-ring binder labeled “South Portland” (2025.02.10) from the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.
These people lived in Cape Elizabeth & South Portland, Maine. I hope to connect these historical photos with descendants who may have never seen these images of their ancestors. The Scarborough Historical Society maintains the original pictures in the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.
Ernest H Dyer, circa 1913.
Page 9 of this album includes one large, 7¾ by 9¾ photo showing 21 men outside a building. A typed label attached to the image reads, “ERNEST H. DYER, foreground, righthand side with pipe and mustache.”
Ernest H Dyer was born on 28 March 1878 in Cape Elizabeth, the son of Howard and Ella (Adams) Dyer. Sadly, he was burned about his face about the face, side, and arm when pipe ashes set his bedclothing afire on 19 November 1962. He died on 6 December 1962 in a Portland hospital. He lived in Scarborough for 54 years and spent 25 years with the Animal Protection Society. He was a state humane officer for 18 years.
Although there is no identification of who this group of men is, I suspect it is some type of animal protection or humane group.
Ernest appears to be in his 30s in this photograph, suggesting it was taken about 1913.
Edmund, Maxamilla (Purrington), & Mary Estelle Dyer
Page 13 is a treasure trove consisting of 5 tintype photos with a typed card describing several people in the photo. The card says the tintypes are from Mary Dyer 1-4-2-6-1-1-7-2.
Edmund Henry & Maxamilla (Purington) Dyer, et al.
1 – “Lighthouse picture, extreme right Edmund Henly Dyer & Maxamilla in front of him.
Edmund Henry Dyer married Maximilla Purington on 11 December 1886. Edmund was born on 2 February 1863 in Cape Elizabeth. Maxamilla was born on 20 December 1869 in Portland.
Maxamilla is the daughter of James Henry and Prudence Oliver (Lowell) Purington. She had six siblings, including four brothers: Henry Bradford (1871-1954), William Lowell (1875-1959), James Ellis (___-___), and James Henry (1880-1937).
Maximilla (Purington) Dyer, et al.
2 – “Picnic basket scene – Maxamilla with open basket.”
Maximilla (Purington) Dyer, et al.
Maximilla (Purington) Dyer, et al.
3 – “Ladies & Children – Maxamilla in front holding baby.”
Maximilla Dyer had three children: Alfred (b. 1890), Mary (b. 1893), and Irving (b. 1905).
Maximilla is likely holding one of her children. I don’t know which of them she is holding. I date the photo between 1891 & 1906.
Maximilla (Purington) Dyer, et al.
4 – “7 ladies – Maxililla in front left corner.”
Mary Estelle Dyer et al.
5 – “3 young girls – Mary Dyer & two cousins.”
This photo doesn’t identify which of the three young girls is Mary. I suspect it is the tall girl in the back. Edmund & Maxamilla Dyer had a daughter, Mary Estelle Dyer, born on 24 January 1893. The girls all appear to be about 12 years old, dating the photograph about 1905.
Maxamille (Purrington) Dyer & Ervin H Dyer, circa 1889.
Page 8 shows six people outside of a house. The photo is badly faded. The back of the photo has several names which are cut off. However, on page 7 of the album, a notecard describes the photo. It says:
OVER – 1-5-6-3-1-1-7
Someone cut down this picture before it was given to me 2 February 1986 by Mary Dyer. On the back is marked:
Smith
E Dyer (Perhaps Nellie Dyer)
Dyer behind fence
Dyer (Edmond Dyer’s youngest brother
PuringtonThe lady is Maxamille (purrington,) wife of Edmond Dyer. Edmond’s youngest brother was Ervin H. Dyer
House – now demolished was on Preble St SP
Edmond Dyer’s youngest brother, Ervin, was born in 1872. He would be about 17 in 1889, which seems consistent with the older boy in the photo, who appears to be in his late teens.
Maxamilla (Purington) Dyer was born in 1869. She married Edmond in 1886. The lady in the photo appears to be in her early 20s, which dates the photo to 1889.
I can’t date the woman in the hat. Edmond’s sister, Nellie Dyer, would have been about 23 in 1889, which is certainly possible.
Based on the notecard and the writing on the back of the photo, I feel comfortable saying this is a photo of six people outside a house. One person is Maxamille (Purrington) Dyer, and one person in the picture is Ervin Henry Dyer. The other identifications are purely speculation.
Jim Purington
Page 7 consists of one photo of a 2-story house with two people standing before it. With it is a typed note.
This house is located on Preble Stret[sic], near the water. The boys pictured are Jim Purington and Roger Stevens (Gift of Mary Dyer 1-4-3-1-1-7-2).
My quick view of Google Maps and Preble Street in South Portland suggests this may be the house at 11 Preble Street.
The 1920 US Census lists 17-year-old James E. F. Purrington living with his parents, Harry & Eva Purrington, at 70 High Street, South Portland.
Ancestry suggests this is James Edmund Floyd Purrington, born 29 June 1902 in South Portland, Maine. James’ father is J. Henry Purrington, the brother of Maxamilla (Purrington) Dyer, making him Maxamilla’s nephew. So, a photo including him in front of Maxamilla’s house when he lives only about two blocks away makes sense.
- The 1910 US Census lists Harold O Dyer living at 174 Front Street.
- Harold’s Draft Registration Card indicates he lives at 170 Front Street.
- The 1920 US Census lists Harold as residing at 113 Preble Street.
- The 1930 YS Census lists Harold living at 170 Front Street.
- The 1940 US Census lists Harold as residing at 113 Preble Street.
It appears that all of Harold O Dyer’s house addresses were at the curve where Front Street turns into Preble Street.
I would be delighted to hear from anyone who recognizes these individuals as their ancestors, particularly if these photographs represent previously unseen images of your family members.
Please feel free to incorporate these photographs into your genealogical research, citing “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.”
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