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
  - FEP - Records of Eleanor Anne Porden, first wife of Sir John Franklin - 1800-1828
    - 1 - Correspondence of Eleanor Anne Porden - 1800-1825
      - 1 - Letters from John Franklin to Eleanor Anne Porden, later his wife - 1822-1825

Browse this collection	This entry describes an individual archive record or file. Click here to browse the full catalogue for this collection
Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D8760/F/FEP/1/1/3
Former Reference	D3311/8/1/5
Title	Letter from John Franklin to Eleanor Anne Porden, relating to his apprehensive behaviour at their first meeting after his return from the Arctic
Date	6 Dec 1822
Description	Grateful to Eleanor for her kind words with respect to her sentiments concerning him. Intends to shed appearance of anxiety and uncertainty from their next meeting. Regrets that he may have shown this before, but it was due to his apprehension. Wasn't dissatisfied with her reasons for delaying her answer to his proposal. Chooses to send his correspondence by post. Still has faith in her character, affability and excellent judgement. Many thanks for good wishes concerning his book. Will call on Mrs. Kay on Sunday.
Extent	1 sheet
Level	Item
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
Full Catalogue List	Click here to view a full list for this collection
Sender	John Franklin
Sender Location	60 Frith Street
Recipient	Eleanor Anne Porden
Recipient Location	At Mr R. Kay's, 10 Wellington Square, Hastings
Archive Creator	Eleanor Anne Porden, later Eleanor Franklin (1795-1825)
Archive Creator	Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Transcript or Index	My dear Miss Porden, I thank you most sincerely for the relief your letter has given to my anxious mind, by the kind and candid explanation it contains of your sentiments respecting me. I am truly gratified by them and be assured it will be my earnest endeavour when I have the happiness of seeing you again to avoid shewing the appearance of anxiety and uncertainty which threw a shade over our last interview. I deeply regret that any appearance of coldness on my part should have checked the familiar conversation which I had so much desired, but I trust you will attribute the shade on my countenance to the painful apprehension I entertained as to the probability of your ultimate determination. I could not have imagined that any distrust of me occupied your mind, after the kind expressions you used, nor should I have fancied that my manner at parting from you, conveyed any displeasure had you not supposed it, particularly as I felt and expressed myself perfectly satisfied with the reasons you had assigned for the delay in giving an answer to my proposal. A few moments reflection after my return home convinced me of the indecorum of my having requested you to write to me first from Hastings, and I determined on enquiring for your address of Mrs Kay, that I might commence, and therefore I feel grateful for your having afforded me the opportunity of corresponding, and for the confidence you have reposed in me by leaving to my choice the channel of conveyance. I prefer the more direct means, and therefore shall send this by post. I cannot my dear friend imagine that I have mistaken your character, certainly, I do not perceive any change in either your disposition or sentiments since I had the happiness of being first known to you. The same excellent judgement, amiable dis[?position …] and peculiar affability of manner which firs[t ....] my admiration appear to me to mark as decisively as ever your character. As the period of your return is yet distant I hope you will do me the happiness of writing as often as you may choose, and you may rely on m[y] punctuality in answering your letters – If yo[u] would do me the favour to convey – what you ha[ve] more to say, which your hurry at the last time you wrote prevented you from communicating to me. I shall be sincerely obliged. Many thanks for your good wishes respecting my book, it is a sad plague to me, and keeps my mind more on the rack than it perhaps would be under other circumstance. I propose calling upon Mrs Kay on Sunday. Believe me My dear Miss Porden Yours most affectionately John Franklin 60 Frith Street December 5th Midnight. To Miss Porden at Mr. R. Kay’s 10 Wellington Square Hastings

Add to My Items

George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist

George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist

Bryan Donkin Company Ltd of Chesterfield, engineering firm

Bryan Donkin Company Ltd of Chesterfield, engineering firm

Strutt family of Belper

Strutt family of Belper

George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist

George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist

Harpur Crewe family of Calke

Harpur Crewe family of Calke

Collection Highlights