Boston Sep. 20th 1836
My Dear Sir –
Here I am once more, and
very desirous to
See you and to talk to you. – Will you come
to Boston or shall I go Ipswich? - If you come
you will find me at Docr Shattuck in
Cambridge Street.
I have brought with me no.s of
My work up up 66 inclusive and wish to
Know whither I must send them to you, or take
Myself, or wait for your own dear self to receive
them.
Please offer my to your Lady
and family and to believe me always,
Your
Sincerely attached friend and servant
John J.
Audubon
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* “Docr Shattuck” probably refers to
the senior Dr. Shattuck described below. The Shattucks were a prominent
medical family in Boston. At the time of this writing, the junior Dr.
Shattuck had already accompanied Audubon during his months-long expedition
to Labrador in 1833.
George C. Shattuck (1783-54)
Received a degree of Master of Arts, and in 1806, Doctor of Medicine. He
also received a medical degree from Harvard, and one from the University
of Pennsylvania in 1807. In 1853 he received an honorary degree of Doctor
of Laws from Dartmouth. Was president of the Massachusetts Medical Society
from 1836 through 1839.
George C. Shattuck, Jr. (1813-93) Boston
Physician and philanthropist. Scion of a prominent Boston medical family
(his father had served as President of the Massachusetts Medical Society,
among other things). As a young man of twenty, he and a few friends
accompanied John J. Audubon on his three-month expedition to Labrador to
study and draw the birds of the region.
“While on the Gulf of Mexico, I wounded a Gannet, which, on falling to the
water, swam so fast before the boat, that we rowed about a quarter of a
mile before we reached it, when it suddenly turned towards us, opened its
bill, as if intent on defending itself, but was killed with the stroke of
an oar by one of the sailors. When shot at without even being touched,
these birds often disgorge their food in the manner of Vultures; and this
they always do when wounded, if their stomach and gullet happen to be
full. Sometimes, after being wounded in the wings, they will float and
allow you to take them, without making any attempt to escape. Nay, my
young friend, GEORGE C. SHATTUCK, M.D., of Boston, while with me at
Labrador, caught one which he found walking amongst a great number of
Guillemots, on a low and rocky island.” J J Audubon discussing the
Gannet, and mentioning the younger Dr. Shattuck.
