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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D8760/F/FBO/1/1/12 |
| Former Reference | D3311/43/5 |
| Title | Letter from Sir John Franklin to his sister Hannah Booth, reporting on how the Franklin family are faring after the past year in Tasmania |
| Date | 21 Dec 1837 |
| Description | Writing to inform the whole family through Hannah of his and his party's well-being. Mary Richardson had told John that Hannah's health had been restored. Mary [Franklin] has been proposed to by a man of good standing called Price, son of a baronet, whom they all like: John does not think the marriage wil take place soon. Sophy [Cracroft] is not well enough to get married in his opinion but is improving in manner and is an amiable girl. Daughter Eleanor is amicable and being well looked after by her governess, better than expected. Hearing from Mary Richardson, and sending fish specimens to Dr Richardson. Little time to write letters, as he is constantly involved with government business, Would like to hear from Thomas Willingham Booth about him and his family. PS: he possesses hundreds of livestock out there, but wishes some of his horses were out there as well. |
| Extent | 1 sheet |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Sender | John Franklin |
| Sender Location | Government House, Van Diemen's Land [now Tasmania] |
| Recipient | Hannah Booth |
| Recipient Location | Ingoldmells near Spilsby, Lincolnshire |
| Archive Creator | Booth family of Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire |
| Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth |
| Transcript or Index | Govt House V.D.Land
21st December 1837
My dear sister
I am glad that I am able to snatch a few minutes before the letter bag is closed that I may assure the members of my family through you of my perfect health and of the well doing of all the family – I also rejoice at the opportunity of wishing every one of you every possible happiness and comfort in the approaching year- I fear you have been a very considerable sufferer during the past- but I was happy to learn from Mary Richardson of your health being restored. When she last wrote I also rejoiced at receiving better accounts of Betsey and Henrietta than usual. May God preserve you all is my fervent prayer.
We are drawing to the close of the year’s residence in this Island and I have great reason to be grateful to the Almighty for his mercy and goodness to us all. Jane has I think decidedly improved in health and our little girl has been quite well the whole time and certainly has begun to grow very perceptibly during the last six months. Sophy and Mary are both well and happy- the latter has formed an engagement with a gentleman of good family – and in every other way a desirable person- it would be better if he had more money- but he has youth and perseverance and steady conduct which are amazing advantages to possess and especially in this country. The match will probably not take place soon as he has to get settled. The Gents name is Price son of a Bart we all like him. Sophy remains as she was and I think will do so- her health is not so good as in my opinion would quite justify her marriage- but I should not say so to her mother or any of her family. She is very much improved in manner and is really an amiable girl. The intercourse she has had with society has brushed off that appearance of affectation which she undoubtedly presented.
Eleanor continues a very amicable and tractable affectionate child- her governess gets on better than we first supposed she might- she is not highly qualified to teach but possesses firm and steady manners and is so far highly useful in forming Eleanor.
I hear occasionally from Mary Richardson and each time her letters give me greater pleasure. I sent to the DR some fish by the last ship- and I shall endeavour to collect specimens of each kind.
You will imagine that I have little leisure to write letters and therefore I hope none of my family consider me negligent because I am silent. I never was in a situation where the mind was so constantly engaged on business as it must be here- nor is there any other Govt in which the Governor had more complicated or numerous questions to settle- but I can assure you under all this pressure I keep my health and spirits well and get though my work steadily.
I often think of you all and enjoy a mental company with you. I am always glad to receive letters from any member of the family and if Tom would favour me with an account of himself, Mary Anne and the Chicks I should be glad and I should be still better pleased if Mary Anne wrote half the letter for she could tell the whole truth whether the Chicks were behaving well or otherwise- not that I am willing to imagine that they could be otherwise than good under her eye and tuition. I see Sophy has written to Emily and Mary Fr to Chatham. I need therefore say nothing more as to domestic matters even if I had room than to assure you of the love of Jane to you, Mr Booth and all the family but [?...] affecty John Franklin
Mr Booth will be glad to hear that I possess here 500 sheep and lambs- two or three horses, cows, pigs,and [?]poultry. I wish I had some of my best little horses they would do very well here.
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