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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D8760/F/FEG/1/12/7
Former ReferenceD3287/31/8
TitleLetter from Eleanor Isabella Franklin to her cousin Catherine Franklin, describing her trip with Lady Franklin to South Australia, including on encounters with indigenous people
Date6 Feb 1841
DescriptionDelay in writing as Eleanor has been on a trip with Mama to South Australia. Travelled with Mr Gell, Mr Bagot, A.D.C., and Mama on the Brigatine Abcona on 13 December. They reached the Port of Adelaide on Christmas Day and were taken up the Creak to the Port. After a few hours they were greeted by Colonel Gawler and his Private Secretary and taken by carriage to Government House. Mr Gell had wanted to make the journey to see his brother who lived at Government House. Riding in the hills they see 'natives' who survive by kangaroo meat and roots; others on the coast live entirely on fish speared, 'in great numbers' in the shallows. They wear little. 'Natives' about Adelaide often get rice and biscuit from the richer household for fetching wood or water. The 'natives' can be treacherous and cruel, but are curious and quick observers. They are fond of their children, but sometimes commit infanticide. 'They are occassionally cannibals, but they will not eat the whites; they say they are too salt'. One night at a "Correbery", women seen sitting and singing whilst men dance brandishing spears. Children as young as two or three try to imitate their fathers. Principal of tribe in Adelaide is King John, who has three wives; whilst visiting many slept around them 'unconscious of our presence'. On the 9th an expedition set off for Encounter Bay, sleeping almost every night in tents. New Year's Day was spent on the shores of Lake Alexandria, and then to Encounter Bay, the Inman and Yankalilla, returning to Adelaide on the 5th. There is a village, Kleinsig, of German emigrants near Adelaide who are protestants and have their homes on account of their religion; another at Herndorf's, land granted by the South Australian Company to cultivate on their own account. 'They are very clean, sober and industrious and form a valuable acquisition to the Colony'. Leaving Adelaide on 8th March proceeded to Port Lincoln with the Gawlers reaching there on 10th. Next day twenty mile walk to summit of Mt. Gawler, returning at 2.00am. The next day ascended Stamford Hill. Explains that Papa was with Flinders on Stamford Hill when he 'surveyed and named the harbour of Port Lincoln', 39 years earlier. Papa to erect a monument to Captain Flinders from the local ironstone. Next day contiued to Kangaroo Island and reached Hobart on 22nd. Concludes with family thanks and messages.
Extent1 sheet
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
Full Catalogue ListClick here to view a full list for this collection
SenderEleanor Isabella Franklin
Sender LocationGovernment House, Hobart
RecipientCatherine Franklin
Recipient LocationH. Sellwoods Esq., Horncastle
Archive CreatorEleanor Isabella Franklin, later Eleanor Gell (1824-1860)
Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
TermIndigenous populations
Ethnic groups
Colonialism
British Empire
Places
Place (click for further details)Type
Australia 
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