Mary Ann (Pepper) Kidder (1820 - 1905) “Is My Name Written There?”

Question

Hi Wikitreers,

We have a page from history the 19th century to be exact of a Mrs. Mary Ann (Pepper) Kidder the daughter of Daniel Freeman Pepper and Betsey (Burke) Pepper (1798 - 1828). A poet and hymn writer! She wrote some of the best soul searching hymns of this era (in my humble opinion). Some of her written hymns such as  “Is My Name Written There?” And “Did You Think to Pray? will seemingly invite many spiritual questions. 

 I’m not sure how many hymns she wrote, but maybe there is a source showing the exact account? 

A beautiful hymn writer who at age 16 lost her eyesight but a miracle happened! Amazingly young teenage Mary’s eyesight was restored a year later by accounts written of her. 

Miss Mary Ann Pepper married April 11, 1864 in her home state of Massachusetts the setting must of been beautiful? Herself being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; she was married by Rev. Stephen Remington (maybe the Rev. is on Wikitree?) in Boston. 

A woman unbeknown to her of the tragedies this life would inflict upon her yet she met the challenges in her time. Her husband Pvt. Ellis Usher Kidder (1821 - 1862) enlisted in the 4th New York Infantry Regt. in New York City to only succumb to illness and pass away September 22, 1862 at the age of 41 (more research and sourcing needed for this veteran) leaving her a mother and widow.

I think we can learn much from this writer in a time where so many have been or are going through where she has already been. Please note she lost her son Walter Kidder (abt. 1853 - 1865) when he was 12 years of age in 1865 due to drowning.

Son Edward E Kidder (abt. 1847 - 1927) was a Notable Playwright in the United States

In short; Any collaboration in her intriguing genealogy and connections is appreciated. 

Thank you

Edit: I believe she should be a notable, but no Wikipedia page found; to me she is more than a notable! M.A. Kidder was an amazing writer and poet!

Answer 1

I loved reading your post. Your enthusiasm and admiration of her come through in every sentence.  You might consider adding to and rewriting her bio so it reflects her contributions and those interesting tidbits of her life. (Just be sure to add sources LOL) ! :-) EDIT: It looks like the PM Andrew is working on that now :-)

Comments

Thank you

Her writings and hymns are inspiring and intriguing!

Also so many questions such as her daughter Mary Frances Kidder a “talented Sketch artist” who it would appear was living with the Pratt family in the 1855 census. I’m curious why she was living in the Pratt household? One possibility is her artistic ability and possibly a mentoring? Did she marry as no account of her having a husband or children can be sourced.

Also where did young 12 year old Walter drown? In a river a lake or pond? What exactly were the circumstances of this terrible tragedy?

Then we have the son Edward who became a Notable playwright in NYC. He apparently married and had children?

The father having passed away of a illness during his service in the Civil War is tragic. What illness could it have been? Did his wife Mary and children visit him in his last hours of life?

Mary was amazing to have supported herself in this era under such circumstances is a marvel.