My numerous Google searches of Lizzie May Ulmer have taken me down the rabbit hole and around in circles. There are snippets here and there but pulling her story together is a challenge. One thing is certain, by 1876 when her portrait was painted, Lizzie was a well-known young actress.

This beautiful portrait  is by the celebrated African-American painter Nelson A. Primus (1842-1916). This oil on canvas painting is currently on display at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford,CT. The original research on the painting has some discrepancies. While Lizzie May was definitely from Maine, her age would have been 20-21 at the time of the painting. The label on the back of the painting listed George T. Ulmer as the addressee and there was discussion as to which relative this was. My research shows that George T. Ulmer was actually her husband at the time. According to many articles written about her and also articles and books that her husband wrote, it is very obvious that he was very much in love with her and may have commissioned the painting.

The Hartford Courant dated January 16,1877 reports that “Primus had completed a fine portrait of a little actress in Boston (Lizzie May Ulmer) and that it had received the highest praise from the critics of that city”

This painting of Lizzie May became one of Primus’ best known works. The life of Nelson A. Primus is definitely worth the read. Born in Hartford he moved to Boston and then later to San Francisco where his art became inspired by the culture of  Chinatown.

N. A. Primus Advertisement – from the East Boston Advocate 29 April 1882 :

My research of Lizzie May has taken me in no certain order throughout her life. This is not a timeline nor a biography but more an inquisitive journey into the past.

Next up, piecing together Lizzie May’s confusing childhood…