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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D8760/F/FEG/1/3/5 |
| Former Reference | D3287/7/3/1/2 |
| Title | Letter from John Philp Gell to his wife Eleanor Isabella Gell, quoting poem by Thomas Burbidge on Franklin's disappearance |
| Date | 16 Oct [1851] |
| Description | He writes from home, about little Eleanor cutting her teeth and how he had meant to see Eleanor that morning, but the coach did not come near the house and started from Ventnor when he had gone out with Gurney to look at a landslip. He has sketched the slip with three stages A, B and C which he goes on to describe. He is sending the Times which is full of the many awards for the Exhibition medals. He quotes a sonnet from a collection of poems ‘Hours and Days’ by Burbidge to console her. Burbidge had sent copies to Eleanor and Lady F. The sonnet is about the disappearance of Franklin. JPG writes if any one ‘’ can overcome the perils, he will; and if not, he is still in light and safety’’.
Date given only as 16 Oct in text, but year 1851 has been added in pencil. |
| Extent | 1 sheet |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Sender | John Philip Gell |
| Sender Location | 16 Upper Seymour Street |
| Recipient | Eleanor Isabella Gell |
| Recipient Location | [?Isle of Wight] |
| Archive Creator | Eleanor Isabella Franklin, later Eleanor Gell (1824-1860) |
| Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth |