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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D8760/F/FSJ/1/2/2 |
| Former Reference | D3311/28/15 |
| Title | Letter from Eleanor Isabella Franklin to her father Sir John Franklin, written to accompany Sir James Ross on his search expedition but brought back to her on its unsuccessful completion |
| Date | 29 Apr 1848 |
| Description | Writing again in hope that one of the expeditions will find him: cannot imagine his current circumstances. Writes of prayers and includes Biblical texts. Reports James Ross's optimism about finding him. Gives substantial detail about aspects of personal, national and international news. References include: John Richardson's marriage and knighthood; France becoming a republic; recent Chartist demonstration in London; deaths of a number of acquaintances; expected return of Mr Gell from Van Diemen's Land [now Tasmania] to England, and political and other matters in Van Diemen's Land; effective cessation of transportation; marriages of William and Henry Kay; changes in Navy List; Anglican church appointments; changes of officers at the Colonial Office; news from Aunt Simpkinson including mention of a knighthood; news of teachers at Harrow School. Describes method of despatch of earlier letters for him. Reports award of a service pension to him. Gives news of her own extensive travels and of her recovery from measles. Her mother is still able to endure fatigue when travelling. The letter is annotated "Written to Sir John Franklin by my mother to accompany Sir John Ross's expedition and brought back to her. P L G."
Final page endorsed with note in pencil by P.L.G. [Philip Lyttelton Gell] that it had been written to accompany Sir James Ross's expedition but brought back to her. |
| Extent | 5 sheets |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Sender | Eleanor Isabella Franklin |
| Sender Location | 21 Bedford Place |
| Recipient | John Franklin |
| Recipient Location | No address |
| Archive Creator | Sir John Franklin (1786-1847) |
| Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth |