From: mgideon@columbus.rr.com > Years ago when I first began working on the Kidder genealogy, a distant = > relative gave me a copy of a printed Kidder genealogy which contained = > quite a number of handwritten notes and other material not contained in = > the original publication. Among the additional pages inserted in the = > book was a couple of genealogical letters written by Thomas Kidder of = > London, England to Samuel Kidder, Apothecary, Charlestown, Mass. U.S.A. = > The first letter was written 1816 and the second in 1822. Perhaps many = > of you have seen these letters (?), but I found them very interesting so = > thought I would pass along to you at least the first one. If any of you = > would like to see the second, which is longer and containing more = > detail, let me know and I'll send it along too. =20 > London, Apr. 3d, 1816 > Mr. Kidder > Sir: I most humbly ask pardon for the freedom I have taken in thus = > addressing a gentleman of whom I have never had the pleasure to see, but = > hoping you will grant my request I will no longer detain you, but begin = > my business.=20 > In the year 1774 and the month of Sept. an elder brother of mine = > absented himself from home and our family have never seen him since. We = > have at times indeed heard that he was in America but it seemed to rest = > on no good foundation. There was a Thos. Kidder mentioned of Marblehead = > but that could not be him as he was but a youth when he left us. About = > 10 or 12 years since a person informed me there was a name sake of mine = > at Charlestown, Boston, Chymist and Druggist and last July returning = > from a journey to Ireland in the packet to Liverpool upon writing my = > name in the passage book, a person remarked he knew a namesake of mine = > at Boston that resembled me very much and this he repeated two or there = > times over as being very remarkable; however last week a parcel of = > Connecticut and Boston newspapers to a relative of mine by mistake and = > finding the names of Samuel Kidder and Thomas Kidder, my elder sister = > particularly requested I would write to know whether you were related to = > us or make some inquiry of our brother. > If you will have the goodness to satisfy us with any particulars of = > your descent and when your father or ancestor settled in America; or any = > of the name you can make inquiry of it will be esteemed a most = > invaluable favor, or any modern times that may throw any light on the = > subject. I have no doubt in my own mind but we are somewhat related, = > though perhaps at some distance, if, you will take the trouble and = > return us an answer, as soon as you can conveniently, it will be a very = > great obligation bestowed upon us and if like to correspond in a letter = > or two I will give an account of all the Kidders in this country and = > other particulars which very likely you may like to hear for there is no = > one among us that has taken the pains to search our records as I have = > done. > Now sir, I ask all this as a particular favor, and must now tell you = > something about myself. I am by trade a packer and presser of Woolen = > Goods of every kind and in the employ of the East India Company of = > Freeman, Livermore and member of the Common Council of London. This = > frankness will, I hope, accent my request and show you my wish to = > communicate with you at a future period. > With every wish for your prosperity, I am, sir your most obedient = > servant. > No. 33 Wood St., London=20 > Thomas Kidder > Please let me know if any of you have any leads on Spedia "Speedy" = > Whitmore Kidder Franklin (1783 -1865). She was first married to = > Nathaniel Kidder (1782 - 1850); second marriage to Benjamin Franklin on = > June 16, 1856 in DeWitt County, Illinois. > Best regards, > Mark R. Gideon > mgideon@columbus.rr.com