Record

D8760 - Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth - 1714-1994
- F - Family records of the extended Franklin family and the Gell family of Hopton Hall - 1714-1994
  - FJR - Records of John Richardson, colleague, friend and later relative of John Franklin - 1820-1861
    - 1 - Letters of John Richardson, colleague, friend and later relative of John Franklin - 1820-1850
      - 1 - Letters largely by John Franklin to John Richardson, formerly in a bound volume - 1820-1845

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Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D8760/F/FJR/1/1/91
Former Reference	D3311/53/89
Title	Letter from John Franklin to his friend John Richardson, written from Greenland during Franklin's final Arctic expedition
Date	7 Jul 1845
Description	Gives details of journey to Greenland. Doubts whether ships will be able to take all supplies without being too deep in the water. He and Crozier intend to carry as many provisions and as much fuel as possible. Refers to observations (magnetic instruments, latitude, longitude, survey angles). Mr Goodsir assiduous in dredging for and drawing crustaceans. Describes various specimens obtained. Other expedition men (including Stanley) happy to collect specimens. Describes location: an esquimaux fishing station. Describes esquimaux, including reading and arithmetical abilities: children taught by a “half-caste Dane”. Letter in Danish received in response to letter sent to the Danish governor. Obtained information about sea ice from coxswain of a Danish boat. Favourable prospect of reaching Lancaster Sound. Need to pray for divine guidance. Mosquitoes troublesome. Describes extent of supplies: enough for three years. Speculates about how the land might lie: reflects on significance of musk oxen (unable to swim) being on Melville Island; and on predictions by Ross and Parry about risk of ships being trapped in Regent‘s Inlet. Encouraging letter from Krusenstern. Asks Richardson to keep Jane and Eleanor reassured. Signature cut off at end.
Extent	2 sheets
Level	Item
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
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Sender	John Franklin
Sender Location	Whale Fish Islands, Disco Bay [Greenland]
Recipient	John Richardson
Recipient Location	No address
Archive Creator	Sir John Richardson (1787-1865)
Archive Creator	Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Format	Document
Term	Inuit
	Ethnic groups
	Letters (documents)
	Naval personnel
	Geographical exploration
	Explorers
	Geographical exploration
	Arctic regions
	Indigenous populations
	Franklin Expedition (1845)