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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D8760/F/FEG/1/6/11 |
| Former Reference | D3287/1/10/3/2 |
| Title | Letter from Elizabeth Gell to her daughter-in-law Eleanor Isabella Gell, on the dispute about the wearing of mourning following the Admiralty decision to regard the members of Franklin's expedition as dead from 31 March |
| Date | 21 Feb 1854 |
| Description | Delayed writing because she has had ear-ache and a sore throat, etc.; hopes that Eleanor is now well; must be trying for Eleanor that Lady Franklin “still keeps aloof”: argument about the correct time for putting on mourning dress, thinks it should be at the time of the Admiralty decision and thinks that the families of the lost crews will “act accordingly”, with Lady Franklin wanting to wait until Autumn, wonders whether Eleanor should agree to wait until the Autumn as well otherwise it would look as if Eleanor and Lady Franklin have fallen out and it would “look very bad” if they started wearing mourning dress at different times; Father thanks John for his letter; Elizabeth and Harriet staying at Darley for a few days; bad news from Spondon about “our Brother”; question of John being aware of the death of Mr A.J. Parr died at Beverley where he was minister; glad to hear of the children’s good health and would love to see them; wants to know when E. Franklin is getting married, and to whom; Carry sends her love as well.
PS: Asks for packet of tea to be sent by luggage train but not before next Monday as E[lizabeth] and H[arriet] may have something to put in the hamper with it. |
| Extent | 1 sheet |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Sender | Elizabeth Gell |
| Sender Location | Duffield Bank |
| Recipient | Eleanor Isabella Gell |
| Recipient Location | No address |
| Archive Creator | Eleanor Isabella Franklin, later Eleanor Gell (1824-1860) |
| Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth |