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
  - FKA - Records of the Kay family, related to Sir John Franklin by his marriage to his first wife, Eleanor - 1797-1860
    - 1 - Letters of Sarah Henrietta Kay, daughter of William Porden and sister-in-law of John Franklin - 1797-1860
      - 1 - Letters from John Franklin to his sister-in-law Sarah Henrietta Kay - 1825-1833

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Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D8760/F/FKA/1/1/6
Former Reference	D3311/50/14
Title	Letter from John Franklin to his sister-in-law Sarah Henrietta Kay, on the progress of his second Arctic land expedition
Date	23-25 Jul 1825
Description	23 Jul: Describes laborious journey: canoes and cargo needed to be carried overland. Men fatigued but have recovered and have set off again. Wants Mary Anne to know that her ornaments have survived and have been admired. Reports assistance received from Indians and that a substantial quantity of stores have been received. Arrived here a month earlier than expected. Reflects on the four months he spent at ths location during an earlier voyage. Describes his observations of the women and children at the fort, which remind him of his daughter. Daily work and prayer have enabled him to move from anguish to calmness after the news of his wife's death. 25 Jul: reports arrival of Mr Back and Mr Kendall and receipt of letters from England, written in March. Reflects on reading details of his wife's final days. Records his appreciation of Mrs Kay's and Mrs Booth's anguish during the final days. Will write later to others involved. Thanks William for the portrait and Mary Anne for her letter. Lists receipt of letters from Captains Beechey, Beaufort and Buchan, and from Mr Garry. Approves of arrangements made by Mr Kay in relation to the house [in London]. Pleased that Mr Kay has spoken to Mr Flaxman about monumental tablet and expresses a preference for it's location in All Souls Church. Responds to a suggestion about having his wife's minor poems published: concerned lest any content should be contrary to the spirit of Christianity. Delighted at news of his daughter. He intends that her being in Lincolnshire should not impede Mr & Mrs Kay seeing her; and Mrs Cracroft will send them news of her. Pleased at news of servants: feels pity for Sarah. Envisages plans for next stage of the journey. Refers to letter from Nottingham: loss of his sister Catherine.
Extent	1 sheet
Level	Item
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
Sender	John Franklin
Sender Location	Fort Chipewyan [Canada]
Recipient	Sarah Henrietta Kay
Recipient Location	Royal Hospital, Greenwich
Archive Creator	Kay family of London
Archive Creator	Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Copies	A digital copy of this item can be viewed on the public computers at the record office.

Places

Place (click for further details)	Type
Canada

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