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
  - FKA - Records of the Kay family, related to Sir John Franklin by his marriage to his first wife, Eleanor - 1797-1860
    - 1 - Letters of Sarah Henrietta Kay, daughter of William Porden and sister-in-law of John Franklin - 1797-1860
      - 1 - Letters from John Franklin to his sister-in-law Sarah Henrietta Kay - 1825-1833

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Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D8760/F/FKA/1/1/9
Former Reference	D3311/50/17
Title	Letter from John Franklin to his sister-in-law Sarah Henrietta Kay, on the progress of his second Arctic land expedition
Date	6 Feb 1826
Description	Reports receipt of letters, despite their needing to have been recovered after an Indian made off with the packet. Approves of arrangements made in relation to the Devonshire Street house: regards Lady Thomas as a suitable tenant. Pleased that late wife's pictures have been moved to the Kay's house. Visualises his late wife every day and reflects on bereavement within a religious perspective. Asks for servants to be given a memento. Gratified at news of his daughter. Pleased that Baker will continue. Expresses hopes for well being of Mrs Cracroft and for Eleanor and her cousin Katherine. Sisters have received mourning rings. Asks Mrs Kay to send a ring to Mr Rawnsley: Eleanor valued his opinions and explanations: if similar comments had been made by Musgrave his youth would not have given them the necessary gravity. Some letters have not arrived, so remains ignorant of his wife's thoughts immediately after his departure. Reviews options for the return journey. Pleased that he may meet Beechey. Reports good prospects for the next stage of the expedition: adequate provisions available and positive response from eskimos. Refers to aloofness of his brother James: "an eccentric man" and offers explanation/justification. Refers to James's possible imminent return to India and achievements: FRS and membership of Geological Society. Reports receipt of letters, newspapers and journals and describes consequent discussions amongst the party. Gives messages to Mr Kay including references to late wife's estate and monumental tablet. Refers to books given to Mr Garry and regrets that Miss Appleton has not written. Reflects on how news of the expedition is interpreted differently by different readers and on the constraints on what a commander may write. Refers to news of "Little Toby" and "Little Misses". About to send drawings and map tracings to the Colonial Office: perhaps Mrs Kay might see them, but Bailly, the person in charge is not the most amenable. Describes a Christmas meal with 50 people present.
Extent	3 sheets
Level	Item
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
Full Catalogue List	Click here to view a full list for this collection
Sender	John Franklin
Sender Location	Fort Franklin, Great Bear Lake, Canada
Recipient	Sarah Henrietta Kay
Recipient Location	No address
Archive Creator	Kay family of London
Archive Creator	Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Copies	A digital copy of this item can be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Term	Inuit
	Ethnic groups
	Indigenous populations
	Mackenzie River Expedition (1825)

Places

Place (click for further details)	Type
Canada

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