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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D8760/F/FEG/1/22/1
Former ReferenceD3287/31/3/1
TitleLetter from Emma Cracroft to her cousin Eleanor Isabella Franklin, shortly before the Franklins left for Van Diemen's Land [now Tasmania]
Date[Aug 1836]
DescriptionReference to this being the last letter to Eleanor in England, as her letter will probably be directed to Van Diemen's Land. Letter undated but "?1837" pencilled in; the Franklins left England for Van Diemen's Land on 26 Aug 1836. Reference to Emma's 15th birthday being the following month suggests it may be August: although her birthdate is not known at present, she was baptized on 21 September 1821.
Extent1 sheet
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
SenderEmma Cracroft
Sender LocationGuernsey
RecipientEleanor Isabella Franklin
Recipient LocationNo address
Archive CreatorEleanor Isabella Franklin, later Eleanor Gell (1824-1860)
Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Transcript or Index1837? [written in pencil)]
My very dear Eleanor
This will probably be the last time I shall ever write to you in England my next note I suppose will be directed to Van Diemans Land very far away from England I have sent you a Stiletto which I hope you may find useful you had not one in your workbox I think when you left us dearest Eleanor, Kitty’s got her pincushion Mother of Pearl to correspond with mine We were very much pleased with your nice long letter you wrote to us it contained a great deal of information more than I shall have to give you I am afraid as Guernsey goes on in the same manner as when you were with us Augusta Gardiner desires me to give you her very best love She always enquires very kindly after you I have been lately promoted to having my hair tucked up Mama said at first I was not to wear it up till next month when I shall be fifteen but Sophy petitioned to have it done before she left us as she could not fancy my face it would be so much altered so I have worn it so for about a month so I suppose. Eleanor when you see me again I shall have grown out of a little girl into a great one Kitty is grown exceedingly she is about as tall as I was when you were here with us and I am I believe about as tall as Isy. In a letter from Miss Jones she said she had seen you in Bedford Place looking very [we]ll she said you knew her directly I am not surprised as hers is a face I think I could never forget. Both Aunt Maria and Miss Jones having been staying with us They had two sleeping rooms in James’ Hotel, next door to us We were of course very sorry indeed when they left us there seemed to be such an empty space at table without them and now that dear Sophy is about to leave us our party will be very much thinned When you next write I should think you will have a great many interesting things to write about you will not now be at a loss for any thing to say your letters always seem to have been well filled and now I am come to the end of my paper dear Eleanor and must only add yours affectionately Emma Cracroft Sophy will not be the bearer of this

To Miss Eleanor I Franklin.
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