Record

D8760 - Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth - 1714-1994
- F - Family records of the extended Franklin family and the Gell family of Hopton Hall - 1714-1994
  - FEP - Records of Eleanor Anne Porden, first wife of Sir John Franklin - 1800-1828
    - 1 - Correspondence of Eleanor Anne Porden - 1800-1825
      - 1 - Letters from John Franklin to Eleanor Anne Porden, later his wife - 1822-1825

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Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D8760/F/FEP/1/1/10
Former Reference	D3311/8/1/13
Title	Letter from John Franklin to Eleanor Anne Porden, during his visit to family in Lincolnshire, including on his support of the established church and hopes for her improved health in the country
Date	17 May 1823
Description	Visiting Ingoldmells, extremely flat country left by the sea, good for raising cattle, with fine churches, but no trees; compares it with their march into the Barren Grounds in North America. Finding it difficult to know on what subjects to write to her, his powers of composition being unequal to her. Writing to her on a Sunday being contrary to his usual practice; their views on the observance of the Sabbath being different; his being a warm advocate of the established church and its institutions. Trusts she has benefitted from the change of air in the country at what he is the best time of the year for convalescents, with her hvaing been removed from the smoke and bustle of London, if only for a lttle while. Hopes she wil have fixed on a house before his return, otherwise she will be too occupied to dispose of Berners Street to go about. Regards to his sister and John Richardson.
Extent	1 sheet
Level	Item
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
Sender	John Franklin
Sender Location	Ingoldmells [Lincolnshire]
Recipient	Eleanor Anne Porden
Recipient Location	John Kay's esquire, Fulmer Grove, Gerrard's Cross, Bucks. Miss Appleton's, Upper Portland Place, London crossed out
Archive Creator	Eleanor Anne Porden, later Eleanor Franklin (1795-1825)
Archive Creator	Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Transcript or Index	Ingoldmells May 17th (1822 in pencil, but context makes it 1823) My dearest friend Being out of the direct lines of post communication I do not wait for your answers to my last letter; - we are now visiting at Ingoldmells on the sea coast which is only remarkable for extreme flatness of country – it and the neighbouring parishes are in fact portions of ground which at some former period have been left by the sea. The land however is of the best kind for feeding cattle and in consequence several of the farmers on the higher grounds rent a part of it for that purpose. Your friends the Churches are equally fine even in this desolate spot, indeed the one in the adjoining parish is almost superior to any of the others in this county. There is not a tree to be seen for miles and if the land was more broken I could almost fancy myself transplanted into the Barren Grounds of North America. The prospect before us sometimes reveals the recollection of those scenes in my mind, but on every occasion the uppermost wishes of my heart are that the line of our march had been as level as this and that we could have enjoyed the hospitality of a sincere friend and comfortable house as we are now doing. I anticipate the pleasure of receiving a letter from you tomorrow and until that arrives I scarcely know what subjects to write upon. You will perhaps think and mentally say, why surely he could not have been at a loss for topics in writing to her to whom his affections are pledged. Were I gifted as you are with the powers of ready composition I should join in this conclusion but my powers in that art you know to be very limited, and therefore I am sure you will excuse me. I am now indeed acting somewhat contrary to my usual practice by writing a letter on a Sunday – as I conceive that to be an unnecessary work (unless under particular circumstances) and therefore one that ought to be deferred to some other opportunity. Do not imagine from the mention of this circumstance that I am too pharasaical, or if you are inclined to do so let me beg of you to calmly reflect upon the Fourth Commandment; I have already acquainted you with my ( ideas or views ?) respecting the observance of the Sabbath on this point however I fear we in some degree differ, though probably not essentially. It would afford me the greatest gratification to learn your sentiments on the conversations that have passed between us relative to these important points. I can assure you that I am a warm advocate and admirer of our most excellent Church Establishment in all its institutions. I have long since felt the highest pleasure and consolation in following its dictates nearly(?) as I have been able, and to continue to so is not less the duty of one who has received such manifold instances of divine providence, than it is my own inclination. You will I am sure prove a kind assistant in this part of my duty. I conclude you have paid your visit into the country, and I trust have derived every possible benefit from change of air. To my view nature is now clothed in her most exhilarating dress, and the season better calculated to restore the convalescent than any other and I am sanguine of your being restored to health in a short time if you only remove from the smoke and bustle of London. When do you go to the Lady who has a short husband and whose name I can never remember. Her house is nearer town than your friend Mrs Kay’s and the state of the air there being less keen will fit you for returning to London. I shall hope to hear that you have fixed upon a house before my return to London if not I fear you will be too much occupied in disposing of Berners Street to go about – with me, and some blunder will ensue. You will perhaps favour me by saying in what quarters you have been looking out. My sister and Mr Richardson are gone out, did they know of my writing they would both desire their kind regards. Continue and address to Bolingbroke and pray write soon. Believe me yours affectionately John Franklin Kind remembrance in Gower Street. To Miss Porden John Kay’s Esq. Fulmer Grove Gerrards Cross Bucks Originally addressed to Miss Appleton, Upper Portland Place, London, but crossed out and re-addressed to Gerrard’s Cross

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