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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D8760/F/FEG/1/44/5
Former ReferenceD3311/122/21
TitleLetter from Marianne Jane Simpkinson to her cousin Eleanor Isabella Gell, including references to the return of Sir James Ross following his search expedition to look for Sir John Franklin and criticism of Lady Franklin
Date[late 1849]
DescriptionMarianne is sending her a line or two to thank her for letter, as she would not like Eleanor to think she did not feel for her in her distress; on the arrival of Sir James Ross, Eleanor's account of the reason of his return and the sufferings he has undergone has made Marianne think that he was justified; at first she had thought it was precipitate to return and that he should have stayed another year, but her opinion has been changed; she hopes the Government will be induced to send another ship to the Bering Straits, but is afraid that her Aunt will do a great deal of mischief and frustrate it by her strange views and attitude; she dreads her being with them this winter, for Mamma has said that that she would do anything to gratify every wish of Aunt F; Marianne would be glad if her aunt and Sophy took up lodgings, as Sophy needs to be with her, but it can't be with Eleanor, as she has no room; her aunt and Sophy are inseparable. Marianne notes that Mr Gell is trying for the headmastership of Rugby and thinks he will have a good chance of success. She recognises that it is an effort for Eleanor to read her letters, let alone write back.
The date 1849 in marked in pencil at top. References to the return of James Ross and the headmastership of Rugby makes it late in the year.
Extent1 sheet
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
SenderMarianne Jane Simpkinson
Sender LocationUnknown
RecipientEleanor Isabella Gell
Recipient LocationUnknown
Archive CreatorEleanor Isabella Franklin, later Eleanor Gell (1824-1860)
Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Transcript or Index1849 [in pencil]
My dear Eleanor
I must send you a line or two to thank you for your letter, for I should not like you to think that I do not feel very much for your distress and anxiety, though I can quite understand that you do not at present realize this news. We were excessively surprised when we saw in the papers the return of Sir James Ross, but your account of the reason of his return and the sufferings he has undergone, has made me think he was quite justified in coming to England; at first I own I thought he was precipitate and ought to have remained out another year, but I have now altered my opinion; of course he never met with the North Star. I hope the government will be induced to send to Berring’s [sic] Straits, but I am afraid my Aunt will do a great deal of mischief, her violence and wrong feeling and her strange way of viewing everything will be very likely to frustrate any attempt she may make to have another ship sent out. I dread her being with us this winter but I am afraid she will for Mama says she would do anything, that is, she does not care if I sleep on the ground, those are her words, rather than not gratify every wish of Aunt F’s. I would be glad if she would take lodgings for herself and sophy, for sophy ouught to be with her on every account, and I do not think as things at present stand that she can be with you; besides you would not have room for Sophy and I suppose she and my Aunt are are inseparable.
I had not heard that Mr Gell had any thoughts of trying for Rugby, if he does, I should think he had a good chance of success, and it would be a nice thing for him, would you not like it? A head master is so different from an under master who spends his time in converting Greek and Latin exercises. I have written a short note, but I do not know whether you like to hear from me, I know it must be an effort to you to write and you should have someone to relieve you from the mere notes of business of which there must be so many. Kind remembrances to your husband, I hope he continues well. God help you my dear Eleanor now and for ever. Ever your affect. MJ Simpkinson
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