1847 Letter Signed Robt. Shaw to Josiah Quincy re: Gen. Burbeck & Dr. Eliot For Sale

Offered here is a remarkable 1847 Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) from Robt. Shaw to Hon. Josiah Quincy, referencing both Dr. Eliot and General Henry Burbeck—three influential figures from Boston's civic, academic, and military spheres.

This letter offers a rare window into the correspondence networks of Boston's 19th-century elite, touching on legal matters, potential summonses, and the forwarding of letters between notable men of public service.

Hon. Josiah Quincy
My dear Sir,

In my return I found your kind note of thanks & a copy of the summons.
It was forwarded to Dr. Eliot — I go forward to Gen. Burbeck as you desire
with letters as soon as received.

I remain obediently,
Robt. Shaw
Aug 21, 1847

A towering New England figure, Quincy was:

• A U.S. Congressman (1805–1813)

• The 2nd Mayor of Boston (1823–1828)

• A long-serving President of Harvard University (1829–1845)
  He was known for championing municipal reforms, educational advancement, and rigorous civic engagement. A key figure in Boston's intellectual and political life.

The letter is signed "Robt. Shaw," likely referring to Robert Gould Shaw Sr. (1776–1853), a wealthy Boston merchant and father of abolitionist Francis G. Shaw and grandfather of Civil War hero Col. Robert Gould Shaw (of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry). Robert G. Shaw Sr. was deeply involved in commercial, social, and philanthropic circles and maintained correspondence with many Boston notables, making him a credible author of this letter to Quincy.

A career U.S. Army officer who served:

• In the Revolutionary War, as a lieutenant in the artillery under Gen. Knox.

• As Chief of the Ordnance Department (1798–1802)

• In the War of 1812, overseeing coastal defenses.
  He retired to Boston and remained a respected figure in military and civic affairs. Burbeck was known for maintaining extensive correspondence with political leaders, and it is entirely plausible that Josiah Quincy or the Shaw family communicated with him on ceremonial, legal, or social matters.

While the letter does not specify which "Dr. Eliot," Boston had several prominent Eliot family members involved in public health, religion, and education. Most likely candidates:

• Rev. William Greenleaf Eliot (1811–1887), though based in St. Louis, had Boston roots and Harvard ties.

• Or possibly a physician or professor from the Eliot family line, which included:

  • Samuel Eliot, Harvard historian and educator

  • Andrew Eliot, a long line of ministers and physicians
    The Eliot family was one of Boston's foundational dynasties.

The letter’s docket reads: “Papers belonging to the Rev. Mr. Felt — to be returned to him.”
Rev. Joseph Barlow Felt was a Congregational minister and prominent historian. His most notable works include “The Ecclesiastical History of New England” and historical reports for the Massachusetts Historical Society. He was deeply trusted for archiving civic and church records—possibly serving as a custodian for this letter or related legal matters.

• Original folded letter on fine laid paper, brown ink.

• Minor toning; old folds, but no tears.

• Docketed on verso: “Papers belonging to the Rev. Mr. Felt — to be returned to him.”

• Collectors of Josiah Quincy and Boston elite correspondence

• Historians researching military-civic intersections in 19th-century New England

• Genealogists studying the Shaw, Eliot, Felt, or Burbeck family lines

• Archives or institutions preserving Harvard or Boston municipal history

📦 Ships protected in an archival-safe sleeve with rigid mailer.
Questions welcome. Additional images available upon request.