Louisa Kidd, to her cousin, Edwin Kidd

Saint Petersburg, Russia
5 November 1883

My dear cousin Edwin,

I am happy to hear from you so soon.  I was afraid my poor letter would never reach you, but too very kind of you to answer it so soon.  I am glad to hear you are all well and happy.  But I asked you to write me long letter.  I wished for a letter as big as a book, because you must have seen so much, out in such a grand grand country.  I am glad I impressed you.  Remember I do not forget my old friends if you do.  When I think how I used to trouble you to take me to Denby I am quite ashamed that I dared to give you so much trouble.  But now I thank you for it, as perhaps I did not so then.

Well cousin, you ask me what I have done with myself all these years.  I left England 17 years ago (about 1866) with Betsy (I'm guessing Louisa's sister) for Russia to be her companion and helper and we have always been the best of friends.  She is very grateful to me for all the years I have spent with her in bringing up her family.  She has had 10 children,  four of them are dead & six alive, nice children. I will tell you their names: Guy 17 years (about 1866, in England), Lewis 15 (about 1868), Maud 12 (about 1871), Willie 7 (about 1876), Rose 4 (about 1879), Sidney 2 (about 1881).  So now you will know our family.  I have had the offer of a grand situation and as my brother in law is out of a place at present -- I took the situation.  It is as a companion to a Russian Princess.  I am very comfortable in her house, my salary is about 60 pounds per year.  I visit Betsy very often, that is how my time has been spent.  At present, yes my cousin, tis very cold here in the winte, we have ice 2 yards in thickness over the Neva (River) and the quantity of snow is surprising.  We have it in some parts 2 and 3 yards.  If the streets were not cleaned, I mean if the snow was not carted away, every day in immense ________ the streets would never be clean of snow the year round.  We have 28 and 30 degrees of frost, it is awfully grand and cold here.  I like the winters very much.  Of course, you have read that people are frozen to death here and tis true.  I have had my nose frozen twice, tis not at all painful, only quite stiff and white ________ is not blue.  Don't think I had it it seen to at once.  Otherwise it might have been serious.  I am glad my Aunt is still alive.  Twill be pleasant for you, but what and where is Augusta and Ann and Harry.  Tell us of them all and what you have been doing all this time.  I am so pleased to hear that Walter is a preacher.  It is such a noble duty.  Please remember us kindly to him and all the family.

I am very glad you have taken care of your brother's children.  Tell me their names when you write, for be sure we shall always be glad to hear from you now that we know you are alive.  But please, Edwin, do write how you arrived and how you spent your time.  I have some German friends who have come to America to live.   They live, I think, in Texas.  I am sorry I had not your address then or I could have advised to make friends with you.  Should they meet you, I did tell them we had relations over there.

My cousin, I hope I did not offend you by saying about riches, but I must say something twas very difficult to write the first time, but I meant no offence.  My eldest nephew says, do write to that cousin of yours and ask him to write us something grand of America.  The children are greatly pleased to think we can have news from so far a country.  He asked me if you had seen him when he was a baby, as he is pleased that he was born in England.  So you see you have another friend.  Edwin you tell me that you are going home on a visit to your people, so please remember us kindly to Aunt and all our cousins and you will then be able to tell us how they are and if they speak of us.  

I should like to know how it is that Walter chose to be a preacher.  Have you got churches and are the people nice?  Have you many friends?  Our boys wish to know if you hunt.  Be sure and say yes or they will be disappointed.  I have had a letter from father today.  He is well and he is now with my brother Jimmie at Brighouse.  Perhaps you do not know that Uncle Dixon and all his family are dead except Betsy.  I believe my friend this all I can find to write.  Hoping it will find you well and happy.

Believe me your sincere cousin.  Louisa Kidd

Betsy desires to be kindly remembered to you all. Your sister Martha lives at Darton a friend of mine wrote me that they built quite a fine shop near Darton Hall.  I cannot send father's photo this time but I'll try to another time.  Betsy assures me you must be very much like my father in his youth.  She remebers you so well.  Walter must be like Uncle.  It is so.  Is William also with you. 

Be sure and write us a long letter.  Tell us how long a letter is in reaching you.  Because from England to Russia they are sometimes only five days.  You wish to know where Sarah is.  She is liveing in Barnsley and is well.  Father wrote, she never writes to us. We do not know why.  Guy is also in Barnsley but for many years we have not heard from him.  I have written to them so many times and had no answer so that I shall write no more until I hear from them.  He is married I have heard from a friend.