Linwood Dyer Collection, Part 089
By Don Taylor
Introduction
The Scarborough Historical Society maintains several important photographic collections that document the people, families, and communities of southern Maine and beyond. Among these, the Linwood Dyer Collection is particularly rich, containing images that span multiple generations and photographic formats. In this installment of Faces from the Past, I examine five photographs drawn from that collection, representing members of the Small, Potter, and Libby families.
Three of the photographs discussed here were discovered loose in a shoebox. Unfortunately, they were accompanied by ten additional photographs—two ambrotypes, five tintypes, and three vintage prints—none of which included identifying information. While such anonymity presents challenges, careful study of inscriptions, photographic formats, and related family records can often restore at least part of the story behind these images.
John Chase Small, c. 1860
Photo Courtesy Scarborough Historical Society
Photo Type: Ambrotype
Inscription:
John Chase Small
Nov. 5, 1841
Sept. 13, 1923, son of
Richard & Abigail Ann
Joss Small of Lancaster
N.H. & Guildhall, Vt.
Description:
This ambrotype is a formal mid-19th-century studio portrait of a young man seated and facing the camera. He wears a dark jacket with a contrasting velvet or satin collar, a light waistcoat, a white shirt, and a neatly tied patterned bow tie. His sober, composed expression is characteristic of portraits from this period.
Research:
In Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 033, and Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 59, I previously wrote about John Chase Small, Jr., the son of John Chase Small. During that research, I confirmed that John Chase Small, Sr., was born in 1841 and died in 1923. His FamilySearch profile KZHZ-HJF[i], identifies his parents as Richard Small and Abigail Ann Jose.
FamilySearch records indicate that Richard Small resided in Guildhall, Essex County, Vermont, in 1860.
Dating the Photograph:
Based on John’s youthful appearance, clothing style, and the ambrotype format, I estimate that he was approximately 18–20 years old when this photograph was taken, suggesting a date around 1860.
The inscription accompanying the photograph provides a birth date of November 5, 1841, and a death date of September 13, 1923, and notes that his parents lived in Lancaster, New Hampshire, and Guildhall, Vermont at various times.
This photograph has been added to the Linwood Dyer Collection on Ancestry.com.
Richard Dresser and Grace (Potter) Small, 1904 & 1902
Photo Courtesy Scarborough Historical Society
Description:
The next two photographs are housed side by side in a folding frame and depict a married couple. Inside the frame were two identifying slips:
- Richard D. Small, M.D., Portland, Maine, 1904
- Grace Potter Small, Portland, Maine, 1902
Research:
Photo Courtesy Scarborough Historical Society
- In Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 032, I reviewed earlier photographs of Grace Potter (later Small), circa 1900, and Richard Dresser Small, circa 1873. That research established that Richard Dresser Small was born in 1872 and that Grace Florence Cogswell Potter was born in 1878.
- Richard and Grace were married on November 20, 1901, placing Grace’s 1902 portrait shortly after their marriage.
Dating the Photograph:
In 1904, Richard would have been approximately 32 years old, and in 1902, Grace would have been about 24. These ages align well with their apparent ages in the photographs.
This photograph has been added to the Linwood Dyer Collection on Ancestry.com.
Ella & Addie Libby – circa 1870
Next, I begin reviewing Photo Album 2026.01.06 from the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection. This small album measures approximately 4 by 5 inches and is about two inches thick. It is particularly appealing because many of the tintypes and cartes de visite are identified with small paper slips. Although the original owner of the album is unknown, several images are labeled with family relationships—such as “aunt” or “uncle”—suggesting a close family compilation. Determining the album’s provenance and familial connections promises to be a rewarding research project.
Last year, in Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 054, I wrote about sisters Ella and Addie Libby. This album presents them again, this time as children.
Description and Dating
These two photographs depict the two girls, wearing identical dresses and hairstyles. Previous research identified them as:
- Addie Leona Libby (born March 3, 1862; died 1886)
- Ella Lillian Libby (born January 4, 1864; died 1907)
- In these images, the younger girl, Ella, appears to be approximately six years old, while Addie appears closer to eight, suggesting a date around 1870. The tintype format—most popular during the 1860s and 1870s—supports this estimated timeframe.
- According to FamilySearch records, Addie and Ella were the daughters of Samuel and Lucy Ann (Hunnewell) Libby. Addie married Charles H. Strout in 1879 and had three children—Charles, Harry, and Flossie—before dying young at age 24. She is buried in Black Point Cemetery in Scarborough, Maine. Ella married Elmer Elsworth Libby and is also buried at Black Point Cemetery.[ii] Ella married Elmer Elsworth Libby and is also buried at Black Point Cemetery.[iii]
These photographs, and a third photo of the two together, have been added to the Linwood Dyer Collection on Ancestry.com.
Conclusion
Each photograph in this installment of Faces from the Past represents more than an image—it offers a tangible connection to individuals whose lives intersected with families, communities, and places that shaped local history. Whether carefully inscribed or rediscovered without identification, these photographs remind us how easily personal histories can be lost, and how valuable even small clues can be in restoring them.
If any of the individuals or scenes shown here are familiar to you, I would be pleased to hear from you. Many photographs in the Scarborough Historical Society’s collections remain unidentified, and even a single name, relationship, or memory can help reconnect an image to its family and community. My continuing goal is to preserve these photographs, enrich their historical context, and ensure they remain accessible and meaningful for future generations.
Disclaimer: This article was researched and written by the author. ChatGPT was used as a research and drafting aid, and Grammarly was used for editorial review and copy editing.
ENDNOTES:
[i] You must have a free FamilySearch login to access this page.
[ii] Find a Grave: Adeline Leona “Addie” Libby.
[iii] Find a Grave: Ella L Libby.
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