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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D8760/F/FEG/1/31/9
Former ReferenceD3287/31/13
TitleLetter from Henrietta W. Wright to her niece Eleanor Isabella Gell, mainly on family illnesses but written in the aftermath of Captain Penny's return from the Arctic
Date19 Sep [1851]
DescriptionReferences to the search expeditions going up Wellington Channel rather than southwards, their "workwoman" being at the Exhibition , and Mary Wright being still alive but likely to die soon . Letter is only dated 19 Sep, but 1851 has been added in pencil
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
FormatDocument
CopiesA digital copy of this item can be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
TermFranklin Expedition (1845)
Arctic regions
Transcript or IndexIn pencil - 1851
Wrangle Vicarage Sept.br 19th
My dear Eleanor,
The account you gave me in your letter of yesterday was much more full than what the newspapers had furnished, I was very thankful for it. Hope may, and must be entertained that the party did not draw much upon their food resources during the first, and possibly the second year of their absence which is a consolatory reflection, so long as the means of killing game, and walruses remained to them they might be preserved from actual starvation. Did Penny bring home the Towels and other things which were found to be identified? I wish I could learn this. Have you seen him since he returned? –
It proves clearly that the route pursued by the Expedition was up Wellington Channel and that they did not take a south westerly course as some have imagined.
We were all much pleased by Mr Gell’s and your kindness in noticing our workwoman Anne Whiley who went up with several other friends to see the Exhibition and other sights in, and about London, for the first time. She was very much delighted to see the children – and came almost immediately on her return home to tell us about you. She found us however much distressed by the dangerous state of dear Mary, who has not been expected to live for the last few days – from one hour to another – perfect exhaustion of the system which at first, for 24 or 30 hours was so great as to render her unable to speak, has been succeeded by Fever and delirium. Whenever the Fever encreases so as to make her restless. At other times when it abates, she is too feeble to use the slightest exertion. The Doctors say she may possibly rally again – but I do not agree with them – indeed if it seemed good to the Almighty not to think me presumptious I should feel thankful if he would spare her from such a weight of suffering as he has deemed necessary for her profit, and our chastisement. I have witnessed the extremity of sickness even to death many times in my life, but never such a continuation for 3 years and 9 months, of suffering most grievous to be borne.
Sat. morn.g 20th Sept.br. Poor Mary has had a most restless suffering night, and must therefore be worse rather than better. I perceive no amendment in her symptoms.
I never hear from your Mamma. I wrote kindly to her at Aberdeen but perhaps she never received my letter.
Remember us all most kindly to Mr Gell. My Husband has been ill for many weeks seriously so, and a few days ago was relieved from very acute pain by passing a large stone which has passed into the Bladder – all his family have suffered from the same fearful complaint – he is very weak. Kiss the dear Children for me. I am sorry to write my troubles to you my dear Eleanor, but it is some relief. I trust your health is rather better. Tell me so when you feel able to write, and believe me to be ever Your affect.te Aunt
Henrietta W. Wright
Richard is a great comfort to his Father now he is incapable of looking after the parish or even doing his Sunday duty. Alice is but weakly after the Measles. domestic affliction does not increase bodily strength.
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