Honor Gell's diary

Honor Gell was baptised in Derby on 1 September 1753, the daughter of Philip and Honor Gell of Hopton Hall, near Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Her mother died in 1771 and her diary was written when she was about 20-23 years of age.

Honor's diary gives an insight into the social life of the landed gentry in Derbyshire. She records every day who visited to take tea or dine, or whether she, her father or brother visited friends. The names recorded in the diary show that the Gells' social circle included the key industrialists associated with the Derwent Valley, including the Evans, Hurt, Toplis and Nightingale families.

On 22 May 1777, Honor Gell married Joseph Bainbrigge of Rocester in Staffordshire at Wirksworth Parish Church. She died only a year later and was buried at Rocester on 3 July 1778.