Beschreibung:

Lot of 10 letters from Edward Hartwell Kidder's Southern family including one from a captain of a blockade runner. Edward Hartwell Kidder (1840-1921) was a Southerner who led a dual life. He was born in the north, but raised in the south. As a young boy he spent his summers in the north. At the age of 13 he was sent to a Massachusetts school run by Harvard graduate Stephen Weld. Accepted to Harvard in 1859, he seems to be the only Southerner who actually remained and graduated from the college during the Civil War. Meanwhile, his brother George was busy fighting for the south. The men Harvard put into the field were working to squash the rebellion. At Harvard Kidder was a member of the Delta Psi fraternity and the Hasty Pudding Club. Later in life he became a successful businessman, respected church elder and trustee for several charitable organizations. A member of Manhattan's social elite, he counted among his friends a former vice president and numerous politicians. In 1902 his name was thrust into the national spotlight when he became entangled in his son-in-law's (Paul Leicester Ford) murder. The victim met his fate at the hands of his own brother (Malcolm Webster Ford) and Kidder refused to cooperate with authorities even though he was the first on the scene along with a physician from next door. His life was indeed full of envy, mystery and intrigue. The archive includes: 1. 4pp, 8vo, written by his mother, Anne (Potter) Kidder, Wilmington [NC], Mar. 8, 1861. Reading in part: "I received your letters from Stockbridge, [MA] and Cambridge and was glad to hear directly from the little boys. Gil was glad to hear... from the little boys...he was delighted to see you & with the candy. Gil says 'tell Popy the boys thought it the best candy they ever ate & one boy says tell that black woman if she will make me some of that candy I will pay the express. Well says Polly 'if he is a Black Republican I aint a going too, but if he is not why then I will.' So you see Polly has some idea of the cause of our troubles. You wish me to send some wine. The vessel left yesterday with your box...I rec. your letter just in time to get more and put [it] on board. She did not leave until three in the afternoon...tell him I reckon we were more disappointed at his not coming than he was himself. The servants spoke of it with regret. You say you cannot judge anything about our state from the papers. Well the feeling now with the Union men is that we hope not to secede, but the Secessionists say, we must, we will have too. Our governor was down a few days ago & made a very exciting speech saying the state should not be disgrace[d] in his hands & wished any effort [be] made to get a convention & then gain the desired end somehow. So you see our peace congress has done nothing. Mr. Davis was riding with me the day after Mr. D. came from Washington & spoke of his being completely disheartened & although he does not own that he is a Secessionist...he made a speech to a crowded house...amidst the constant applause of all, but the Secessionists...he is our favorite speaker and his opinion influences many that were determined no to change....A.K." Just days after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, three family members all wrote letters to him - his father, mother and sister, Sue. 2. 2pp, 4to, written by his father, Edward Kidder, Wilmington [NC], Apr. 16, 1861. In part: "I write this with a heavy hand...we have no prospects but war. We must prepare for the worst. I suppose the Govr. will convene the Legislature very soon when they will call a convention & vote this state out of the Union. Three or 4 companies went down to the forts today to take possession fearing the Federal troops would come & possess them. Most of the soldiers are quite young & I fear will find it pretty hard. We have organized two companies for home protection composed of those not liable to military duty. Also, one company of horse which I shall join. The fort I fear is not in very good