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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D8760/F/FEG/1/31/16
Former ReferenceD3311/122/40
TitleLetter from Henrietta W. Wright to her niece Eleanor Isabella Gell, on the question of the Wright family takings sides in the dispute between Eleanor and Lady Franklin and putting on mourning clothes for Sir John Franklin
Date16 Mar [1854]
DescriptionOn not taking sides in dispute between Lady Franklin and the Gells without knowledge of all the circumstances; case appears to be centred on whether it is reasonable to put on mourning before tidings from the ships engaged in the search for her father come back; the opening of the will on 31 March has nothing to do with the Wrights.
Dated only 16 March but references to the will and the putting of on mourning makes it 1854.
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 March 16th
My dear Eleanor
I and my family, would be doing ourselves great injustice did we allow that by the course we may adopt respecting outward mourning for your dear Father we take a side as you appear to think we must in that unhappy quarrel which separates Lady Franklin from yourself, and Mr Gell. We cannot possibly do that, with our imperfect knowledge of all the circumstances. The true state of the case will appear, by the answer to this question (so far as regards us at least). Is it reasonable before we put on mourning to wait for tidings from the ships that are engaged in the search for your dear Father under the direction of the Admiralty (with which ships they are still communicating by supplying stores etc) or is it not ? As to the legality or propriety of opening the will, and acting upon it on the 31st of March, or soon after, we have nothing whatever to do with it – and cannot be required by either pary to give an opinion, it cannot affect the question of wearing mourning at all.
I am thankful to hear that Mr Gell, and the Children are well. My love to them
Believe me ever to remain,
Your affect.te Aunt
Henrietta W. Wright
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