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Bloomfield Blossoms: p. 090-091

Smith, Kay, 1925-

Bloomfield Township Public Library

Stone houses -- Michigan -- Bloomfield Township

Bloomfield Township (Mich.)

Purdy, Hugh

GB01a047

part of 'Bloomfield Blossoms' by Kay Smith

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A STONEMASON NAMED PURDY BUILT HOUSES FOR FOUNDING FAMILIES Dating the stone houses, five of which still stand in our Township, has become a fascinating mystery. There exists no proof positive of the creator of these sturdy houses which have so easily withstood the ravages of time. However, clues come along which lead to conjecture. In the Oakland County Portrait and Biographical Album of 1891, there is mention of an Irish stonemason, Hugh Purdy, who came from County Armagh in 1850 with his wife Margaret and several sons, and settled in Southfield. Hugh Purdy was Mrs. Leland Forman's great-grandfather. The Purdys and the Hannas of Birmingham intermarried in several generations. Mrs. Forman thinks Hugh Purdy was the builder of these houses, but George Purdy, one of the original Hugh Purdy's sons, was also a stonemason, and other members of the family think perhaps it was he who built the houses. Since he was born about 1850, this would date the houses later. The buildings can still be seen today. The one pictured is on Echo Road. One stands at Lahser and 14 Mile, the Wing Lake School is on Maple at Wing Lake and the Vaughan house is on Lahser north of Lone Pine. The latter two houses are pictured in the book in different connections.