Homepage

Record

Browse this collectionThis entry describes an individual archive record or file. Click here to browse the full catalogue for this collection
Archive Reference / Library Class No.D8760/F/FEG/1/31/14
Former ReferenceD3287/31/13
TitleLetter from Henrietta W. Wright to her niece Eleanor Isabella Gell, on the failure of Eleanor and Lady Franklin to be reconciled over Sir John Franklin's will following the decision of the Admiralty to regard him and his crews no longer alive
Date3 Feb 1854
Extent1 sheet
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
Full Catalogue ListClick here to view a full list for this collection
SenderHenrietta Weeks Wright
Sender LocationWrangle Vicarage [Boston, Lincolnshire]
RecipientEleanor Isabella Gell
Recipient LocationNo address
Archive CreatorEleanor Isabella Franklin, later Eleanor Gell (1824-1860)
Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
CopiesA digital copy of this item can be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Transcript or IndexWrangle Vicarage February 3/54
My dear Eleanor,
My mind and time have both been so entirely occupied since I received your last letter dated Jan.y 30th that tho’ I really have anxiously wished to write to you Mary’s severe attack of indisposition and other harassing causes have quite put it out of my power to do so - I was indeed sorry to find that Mr Tinney’s mediating efforts had been so fruitless as to deter him from making any other attempt to bring about the reconciliation so devoutly to be wished for between Lady Franklin and yourselves. I should like to know why she expressed herself dissatisfied with the contents of your Father’s will? When you mentioned the subject to me, you remarked that Lady Franklin had commented upon some parts which were unpalatable to her but you did not tell me what they were. I never can suppose that a will made 25 or 26 years ago, could be the last he ever dictated since circumstances must have changed his ideas, and views of things so much between that time and the period of his leaving England for his calamitous Expedition, calamitous indeed if his valuable life, and that of all his brave comrades is sacrificed – I cannot help grieving that the Admiralty did not wait until the return of the squadrons now out in search of your dear Father. There would have been a decency, and propriety in that & had it been more delicately announced – suggesting that in consequence of the names of your Father, and his Officers remaining so long on the list – other deserving men were prevented from using the minds of many who are indignant at the abrupt and uncourteous way in which it is inserted in the public journals, would have been more calm. I have never heard anything but regret expressed, at the decision come to by Gov.t to remove the names - while their own Expedition is out - I should like to be told what reason Lady Franklin gave to you, for being dissatisfied with your dear Father’s will, for I am very sure he never intended to do an unjust, or unkind thing to any one.
The statement you were kind enough to send which was drawn up by Mr Gell, I returned immediately as I was particularly requested to do to Clifton – I understand that Mr Booth wished to keep it himself. I have no doubt it will be found there. With kind regards to Mr Gell and the Children from all I remain dear Eleanor
Yours affect.ly
Henrietta W. Wright
Add to My Items
    Local Studies Periodicals

    Local Studies Periodicals

    Useful Links

    See more Collection highlights

    Local Studies Periodicals
    Local Studies Periodicals
    George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist
    George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist
    Harpur Crewe family of Calke
    Harpur Crewe family of Calke
    Horace John Rylands (1886-1961) of Bakewell, First World War soldier
    Horace John Rylands (1886-1961) of Bakewell, First World War soldier
    Collection Highlights