Josiah Bartlett Does Everything For Revolutionary New Hampshire
Josiah Bartlett was a signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire.
Bartlett also signed the Articles of Confederation as well as held every important office his State had to offer.
Does the name Josiah Bartlett sound familiar to you? If so, you probably watched the TV show The West Wing, as the President in that show was named after this Founder.
Josiah Bartlett
After studying medicine, Josiah Bartlett moved from Massachusetts to Kingston, New Hampshire.
Bartlett was the only Physician for miles which helped him quickly become a leader in the community.
By the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Josiah had already served as a judge and militia Colonel as well as a Representative to the Colonial Assembly.
Declining Congress
In 1774, Bartlett was chosen as a Delegate to the First Continental Congress.
Unfortunately, his house had just burnt down (explanations as to the cause vary).
Josiah decided to decline his nomination and remain home with his family.
Signings
The following year, Bartlett was again chosen to represent New Hampshire in the Continental Congress.
This time he decided to attend, spending time on most of the important committees.
Come July 1776, Josiah voted for (and later signed) the Declaration of Independence.
He remained in Congress long enough to sign another major document of the American Founding...the Articles of Confederation.
New Hampshire’s Highest Offices
After the Revolutionary War concluded, Josiah Bartlett was named to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
He sat as an Associate Justice for six years before receiving a promotion to Chief Justice. This is surprising, as he was trained as a Physician and not a Lawyer.
Bartlett would go on to be chosen as Governor of New Hampshire, spending four years in his State’s highest position.
Here are some other NEW HAMPSHIRE FOUNDERS
Matthew Thornton and a New New Hampshire
Woodbury Langdon Gets Detained in New York City
Enoch Poor Dies Under Suspicious Circumstances
Josiah Bartlett is one of the many interesting signers of the Declaration of Independence.
For my favorite collection of signer bios, check out ‘Signing Their Lives Away.;
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