Earlier letter: Octavo bifolium ca. 20,3x12,6 cm (8 x 5 in). 3 pp. of text. Brown ink on yellowish lined wove paper. Second letter: Octavo ca. 20,3x12,6 cm (8 x 5 in). 2 pp. Brown ink on yellowish lined laid paper. In all 5 pages. of text. Fold marks, earlier letter with minor stains, but otherwise a very good collection of letters from the early days of California.

Two original letters from Eureka’s pioneer Shaw family, with interesting notes about early life in Eureka and Nevada City during the 1880s.

The Shaw family established deep pioneer roots in the American West through a multi-generational migration led by patriarch Thomas Shaw (ca. 1801-1879) of Kentucky. Following his marriage to Eliza Brice (ca. 1810-1884) in Hardin, Kentucky, in 1827, the couple raised 13 children over a 31-year span. Among their large family were Sophrone, John, and James Shaw, who would later become the authors or recipients of the letters in this collection. The family’s long journey west progressed in stages, moving first from Kentucky to Carroll County, Illinois. They next relocated to Iowa, where the children grew up working on the family farm. The final, definitive leg of their migration took place in 1865, when Thomas Shaw brought his family across the plains by ox-team to California. They settled on farming land along the Elk River, establishing themselves as prominent early pioneers of Humboldt County.

The first letter was written by Margaret Mary Ann McCord (ca. 1854–1933), wife of Thomas Jacob Shaw Sr. (ca. 1838-1908), from Eureka, California, in February 1883. At the time, the town on Humboldt Bay was a rapidly growing lumber and shipping hub. The author lived in a residence that served as a stage stop between Eureka and Bridgeville, where she was also tasked with feeding the passengers and stagecoach drivers. The correspondence is addressed to Margaret’s sister-in-law Sophrone, known as “Fronnie” (ca. 1847–1931), following her recent arrival in Carson City, Nevada. In the text, the author shares the latest news from the town, praises the addressee for her swift transit, and discusses the fastest route from California to the intermountain West (via steamship to SF and by rail onward). Margaret also says that Fronnie's decision to travel via steerage caused “poor opinion of her” among locals and that this budget-class choice resulted in her name being omitted from the printed passenger list. In the rest, the author reports on the suicide of Eureka’s pioneer barkeeper Maurice Maloney (d. 1883), provides family updates, and jokingly urges Fronnie to quickly “find that rich old man.”

The second letter was written by another member of the Shaw family, likely John David Shaw (ca. 1836–1906), and his wife from Nevada City, California, in April 1883. At the time, the bustling Gold Rush town was undergoing a massive economic shift while concurrently navigating the height of a severe smallpox outbreak. The contagion began in mid-March 1883 when an infected traveler arrived from San Francisco, sparking community-wide panic, school closures, and quarantines until the mid-summer. The author, born in Illinois, spent his youth on the family's Iowa farm before arriving in California as a young man. A pioneer of Humboldt County, he spent twenty years working successfully in the local timber and teaming industries before purchasing a ranch nine miles south of Eureka. The letter is addressed to John’s brother, later the owner of Carson hot springs, James Samuel Shaw (ca. 1834-1919) and his wife Catherine (ca. 1845-1919), of St. Jones’, Newfoundland, Canada. In the text, the authors discuss the latest news from the town, dire business matters, and the poor health of their relatives. Importantly, the authors also mention the outbreak of the smallpox contagion, reporting the new cases and recent deaths.

Overall, historically interesting collection of two original autograph letters from Eureka’s pioneer Shaw family, with notes about the fastest route from California to the intermountain West, a suicide of a local pioneer, etc.

Text of the letters:

“Dear Fronnie,

We received you letter was to hear that you arrived in Carson safe and in such short time hope you are feeling better we are all well except George he has a dreadful cold is suffering with his head. The last I heard from mother she was as well as common, the rest of the Shaw family are well, had a letter from Gussie yesterday she is well Fred wants to come to Humboldt if there is a chance to make a living here hope Jimmie and Kittie are well and doing well, how is Jimmie’s leg this winter, you are going to get a terrible scolding when you come home every body was mad because you did not go and tell them goodbye. Mrs Still was in yesterday she asked about you all. Mr Still says that he does not think as much of you as he did before you went away he said you went in the sterage and that made him a poor opinion of you, your name was not in the list of passengers, we had a splendid time at the lodge last meeting Jake Leowenthall gave a supper and dance they are very sorry that you did not join before you went away, you must hurry and find that rich old man a come home we miss you so much, ther was quite an excitement here last Monday, Maurice Maloney shot himself in the head about one o’clock and died at six, he never spoke a word after he was shot, no one know why he done it unless because he was sick but the doctor did not think there was any thing serious, his mother and Sarah are most wild poor old lady it is sad indeed, I sent Mother the medicine you spoke of have not heard from her since, heard from Jake today they are all well, well Fronnie as it is getting late and every lady has gone to bed I will close hoping that you will have a pleasant time and come home weighing about 140 – I remain as ever your sister M. Shaw”

“Dear James & Kate

Received your ever welcome letter in dire time and was exceedingly glad to hear from you that you are all well. Charlie’s little stomach is bothering him again for the past few days, but he is easier tonight. Lena is progressing firmly now, is gaining in appearance and flesh for the past month. John is well, and orders me to tell you to take good care of that young colt of his, and tells me to tell uncle Shaw not to ride his colt because he being big might hurt him. And orders Brown to take good care of him. He saw by the enterprize that Matt was seriously ill. How is he by this time? We are very sorry to hear of Grandma’s ill health, and would not be surprised at anytime to hear of the demise. On account of her advanced years it is to be expected. We have the small pox here yet a case died yesterday, and three of four new ones reported.

Business with us is so-so and hope it is better with you for it people ever did deserve to do well it is you too. Excuse our not being more prompt in answering your last, and accept regards and the kindliest of feeling from yours forever.”