DYER Family Tree



My Dyer Family traces its roots to Manuel E. Dyer, who was born in Fayal, The Azore Islands on 25 May 1841. The information I've founds suggests that the original spelling of his last name was DIAS. His parents are listed as Joseph and Mary on his marriage certificate.

My first record of Manuel E. Dyer was his enlistment into the Union Army during the Civil War. He was enlisted as Private "John E. Dears/Deers" on 10 Nov 1861 in Company A, 11th Regiment at Augusta, Maine. He was discharged on 15 Mar 1863 at Yorktown, VA for disability.

Here is a description of him, made by Elizabeth Dyer, on an affidavit to procure widow's pension: "At the time of enlistment the soldier was 20 years old, height 5 ft. 7 in., hair, black; eyes, gray; complexion, dark; occupation, cigar maker; was born Fayal, Portugal May 25, 1841.
"I have nothing with his signature for the reason that he was a very poor writer and signed by mark most of the time." (1919)

Here also is another description on an affidavit from a friend testifying on his behalf: "This is to certify that I have personally known the said John E. Dears since the 4th of July 1863 and have known him to be suffering from piles and fever and ague at that time. He has visited at my house when he has felt able. And I have known him to be suffering from the same complaint. Every year as far as the year 1869. And I have known him to the present time to (be) a sober and temperate man. When he is able to be at his work he is an industrious man." (As attested by Manuel Rogers da Costa, No. 10 Hanover Avenue, Boston Mass., 15 Feb., 1888.) Similar testaments were given by Joseph Recamundez, 143 Everett St., East Boston; and Manuel Diaz, 101 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, Mass.

The certificate from the Bureau of Pensions states that John E. Dears was to receive twenty dollars per month starting May 1912.

On 22 June 1875, Manuel married Elizabeth J. Carey, who was born 4 Nov 1852 at Birr, Linster Co., Ireland. The marriage took place at St. Mary's Church, Fall River, Massachusetts. Elizabeth's parents are listed as Daniel and Jane on her marriage information. According to family history she came from Ireland with a brother; it was in 1863 (according to 1920 Federal Census).

The children of Manuel and Elizabeth are: There may have been another child born between 1877 and 1883. I have a picture of a child which is marked "Anthony," but I was unable to find anything about an Anthony Dyer.

Manuel J. E. Dyer died 17 July 1917 at Chelsea, MA due to "septic absorption from chronic cystitis." He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA.

Elizabeth Carey Dyer moved to Easton, Pennsylvania along with her son, Frank, and daughter, Annie. She died sometime before 1930, and I'm told she's buried with her husband.

CONTACT ME

For more information about my family, please visit my GENEALOGY PAGE.



Counter Visitors since June 2003.