Josiah Bartlett

Josiah Bartlett
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Name	Josiah Bartlett
Caption	Portrait of Josiah Bartlett
Office	6th Governor of New Hampshire
Term start	June 5, 1790
Term end	June 5, 1794
Predecessor	John Sullivan
Successor	John Taylor Gilman
Office1	Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature
Term start1	1788
Term end1	1790
Predecessor1	Office established
Successor1	Samuel Livermore
Birth date	November 21, 1729
Birth place	Amesbury, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Death date	May 19, 1795 (aged 65)
Death place	Kingston, New Hampshire, U.S.
Party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse	Mary Bartlett (m. 1754)
Children	12, including Josiah Bartlett Jr.
Alma mater	Self-educated

Josiah Bartlett was a prominent American physician, statesman, and Founding Father who played a crucial role in the early history of the United States. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress for New Hampshire, where he was the second person to sign the Declaration of Independence. Bartlett later became the first governor of New Hampshire after its statehood and served as chief justice of its highest court, helping to shape the new state's legal and political foundations.

Early life and education

Born in Amesbury in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, he was the fifth son of Stephen Bartlett and Hannah Webster. His early education was conducted in the common schools of Amesbury, where he showed a particular aptitude for classical languages and the sciences. With limited resources for formal higher education, he pursued independent study, reading extensively in medicine and the law under the guidance of local practitioners. This self-directed path led him to Kingston in the Province of New Hampshire, where he would establish his professional life.

Medical career

He began his medical practice in Kingston, quickly earning a reputation as a skilled and compassionate physician. His practice extended throughout Rockingham County, where he treated a wide range of ailments using the most advanced methods available in the mid-18th century. He was known for his innovative approach, notably being one of the first doctors in New England to use Peruvian bark (cinchona) to treat fever. His medical standing brought him great respect within the community, which later translated directly into political influence and public trust during the tumultuous years leading to the American Revolution.

Political career

His entry into public service began with his election to the New Hampshire Provincial Assembly, where he represented Kingston. He was later appointed a justice of the peace and a colonel in the colonial militia, positions that solidified his leadership role. Following the outbreak of the Revolution, he was elected to the Continental Congress, serving from 1775 to 1776 and again in 1778. After independence, he helped draft the Articles of Confederation and served as a New Hampshire state senator. In 1788, he was appointed the first chief justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature, and in 1790, he was elected as the sixth governor of New Hampshire, serving until 1794.

Role in the American Revolution

As a member of the Continental Congress, he served on the critical Committee of Safety and was a vocal advocate for independence from Great Britain. He was present for the vote on the Lee Resolution and, following John Hancock, was the second delegate to affix his signature to the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence in August 1776. During the war, his home in Kingston was burned by Loyalist forces, likely in retaliation for his patriotic activities. He also served on the committee that framed the Articles of Confederation and was active in mobilizing New Hampshire's resources for the Continental Army.

Later life and death

After his term as governor concluded, he retired to his home in Kingston. He remained active in civic affairs and continued correspondence with other prominent figures of the era, including John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. He died at his home in Kingston at the age of 65 and was interred in the Plains Cemetery. His death was noted in newspapers throughout the young nation, marking the passing of a key architect of American independence.

Legacy

He is remembered as a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a foundational leader in New Hampshire. The town of Bartlett in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire is named in his honor. His descendants include his son, Josiah Bartlett Jr., who served in the United States House of Representatives. His life and contributions are commemorated by the Josiah Bartlett House, a historic landmark in Kingston, and his legacy is studied as part of the history of the American Founding Fathers. The fictional President Josiah Bartlet on the television series *The West Wing* was loosely inspired by his historical namesake.

Category:1729 births Category:1795 deaths Category:American Founding Fathers Category:Governors of New Hampshire Category:Signers of the United States Declaration of Independence