Homepage

Record

Browse this collectionThis 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/FEG/1/31/1
Former ReferenceD3311/122/34
TitleLetter from Henrietta W. Wright to her niece Eleanor Isabella Gell, including references to rumours about the search expeditions and news on Lady Franklin and Sophy Cracroft being in Scotland
Date29 Aug [1851]
DescriptionOnly dated 29 Aug but references to Lady Franklin being in Scotland, the search expeditions and Mr Gell and the children makes 1851 a possible year: originally it had been thought to have been 1849, when Lady Franklin was previously in Scotland.
Extent1 sheet
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
SenderHenrietta Weeks Wright
Sender LocationWrangle Vicarage [Boston, Lincolnshire]
RecipientEleanor Isabella Gell
Recipient LocationNo address
Archive CreatorEleanor Isabella Franklin, later Eleanor Gell (1824-1860)
Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
CopiesA digital copy of this item can be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Transcript or IndexWrangle Vicarage Aug.st 29th
My dear Eleanor,
The month of August is so nearly coming to a close that one’s feelings begin to alternate between Hope, and Fear, about the tidings we may daily begin to expect from the searching Expeditions which are now in the North. Our newspaper “The Evening Journal” is really a sensible one, for it never like all the other newspapers will insert any vague rumours which are calculated to give me inexpressible pain to those friends in Europe who have relatives either out with your dear Father’s party or searching for those who are missing.
From Jane or Sophy I have never received one line since I saw you. They write to Willingham frequently I know, and from that source I learnt that they had left Aberdeen for the Highlands. Perhaps they are waiting purposely to stumble upon the Queen as by accident. What would they say to my getting such a fancy into my cranium?
I lament many things that Jane has done but she certainly has kept up the steam, in seeking for those who are lost.
Emma is staying here now and desires me to say that she only waits for a summons from you to resume her place in Seymour Street. She was thinking not later than ten days, or a fortnight hence if it was convenient to you to receive her.
Entre nous, entirely I tell you that I explained to her yesterday a few things about her Father, which I think are likely to remove the prejudice against his memory. Things, which shw was before ignorant of, I am persuaded I told her kindly and gently, some particulars which I alone can know, by referring to his own letters dated from the time he went to India, until and after her birth – don’t allude to this unless she mentions it to you. I should not have felt myself bound to talk on such a subject to her had I not been aware that she spoke of his memory with disgust rather than pleasure – She took it extremely well, and I believe it will have a good effect upon her. I spared her Mother’s memory while I upheld my Brother’s character and let the blame alight (where it first originated) on Gen. Brown.
The little girl Jane Moore appears to be better. I have been giving her Quinine, and some medicine, and putting plaisters under her ears which have in some measure relieved her hearing – but she looks as thin as ever, is rather taller, her cough is not quite so troublesome but we all think her very delicate. Emma and Alice have driven to Friskney with a parcel from me to Mary Anne. We had an amusing school feast last week. Emma made herself very useful. Alice is full of frolic and fun, and does Emma great deal of good, as withal Alice’s religious principles are very sound and correct.
All here write in love. Keep up your spirits my dear Eleanor, as I hope to do until we hear some tidings from the north – Say how Mr Gell and all the children are, everthing about them is interesting to me and mine – Give our united love and believe me ever to remain
Your affectionate Aunt
Henrietta W Wright
Add to My Items
    George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist

    George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist

    Useful Links

    See more Collection highlights

    George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist
    George M. Woodward (1767-1809), cartoonist
    National Coal Board
    National Coal Board
    Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), naval officer and arctic explorer
    Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), naval officer and arctic explorer
    Horace John Rylands (1886-1961) of Bakewell, First World War soldier
    Horace John Rylands (1886-1961) of Bakewell, First World War soldier
    Collection Highlights