American physician and politician Josiah Bartlett signed the Declaration of Independence on behalf of New Hampshire. As a physician, he was a courageous individual who had no qualms about experimenting with novel methods of curing ailments. He had the bravery to question the often-utilized traditional yet unscientific treatments for specific diseases at the time. In his tenure as a politician, he shown remarkable bravery by speaking his mind on a variety of political matters and never yielding to pressure from the Royal Governor. His intelligence and ability were evident at a young age, and he frequently visited libraries to read books on a wide range of subjects. He was an intelligent young man who had received an excellent formal education and was fluent in Greek and Latin. At age 16, he was sent to study medicine under Dr. James Ordway, and he began practicing at age 21. When afflicted with a fever that nearly cost him his life, he restored himself by consuming cider at regular intervals. The physician had extensive political interests and was elected to represent New Hampshire in the Continental Congress. On August 2, 1776, he signed the United States Declaration of Independence properly.
Youth and Early Life
Josiah Bartlett was born as one of Stephen Bartlett and Hannah Mary Webster’s seven children. His father was a shoemaker who excelled at his profession and maintained a big family with ease.
He acquired formal schooling from a schoolmaster in Amesbury and also learned Latin and Greek.
He began studying medicine under Dr. James Ordway at the tender age of 16. The doctor provided him with practical instructions, and he read books from the library to complement his knowledge.
In addition to medicine and the natural sciences, he was also interested in mathematics and history.
Josiah Bartlett’s Career
In 1750, he traveled to Kingston to begin his medical career. Rev. Joseph Seccombe, who was in charge of a vast library, was his host. Bartlett took advantage of this opportunity to expand his knowledge both through his interactions with Reverend Seccombe and by using his library.
When he began his medical career, he was just 21 years old, yet he quickly rose to prominence due to his ability. During that period, he was the sole physician in the little community of Kingston, and hundreds of families relied on him for medical care.
In 1752, he suffered from a severe fever that endangered his life. Contrary to the common practice of the time, which was to discourage patients from drinking cool liquids, he insisted on drinking cool cider at regular intervals, which ultimately cured him.
A diphtheria pandemic, often known as ‘throat distemper’ at the time, killed nearly 100 persons in Kingston. This sickness was especially sensitive to infants. He developed a novel approach to successfully cure the patients, utilizing Peruvian bark and other medications.
Due to his care for the general welfare, he acquired the trust and esteem of his fellow citizens and was appointed selectman in 1757. He was noted for his strong participation in public affairs and his high moral standards.
In 1765, he was elected to represent Kingston in the New Hampshire Provincial Assembly.
In 1767, Royal Governor John Wentworth appointed him justice of the peace. Additionally, he was promoted to colonel of his nation’s seventh military unit. The Governor’s nomination of Bartlett was motivated by a desire to gain his support for the Royalist cause.
Bartlett was a patriot who advocated for colonial interests and opposed British government policy. This put him at odds with John Wentworth, who had wanted to gain the doctor’s support for the Royalist cause.
He joined the illegal Committee of Correspondence of the Provincial Assembly in 1774. There, he corresponded with other patriots from many colonies, the most renowned of them being Samuel Adams.
Even when some of his opponents burned down his home, this ardent patriot continued to work for the cause he believed in. He relocated his family and reconstructed the home.
In 1775, he lost every post he held under the Royal administration.
In 1775 and 1776, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress. As the sole New Hampshire delegate, he served on all committees, including Safety, Munitions, Secrecy, and Civil Government. Later, additional delegates were included.
Bartlett was the first person to vote for independence on 4 July 1776, and the second person to sign the Declaration of Independence, following John Hancock, on 2 August 1776.
As a surgeon, he joined John Stark’s men at the Battle of Bennington in 1777 to treat wounded and ill soldiers.
In 1779, despite his lack of legal training, he was appointed a judge of the court of common pleas. He held this office until 1782 when he was named an associate justice of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire.
In 1788, he was appointed Chief Justice of the state’s highest court.
Due to advanced age and health issues, he was loath to accept more roles, but in 1790 he was named New Hampshire’s chief executive. After four years of service, he retired in 1794.
Josiah’s Major Opera
His greatest accomplishment as a physician was identifying a treatment for diphtheria. During the 1750s, the disease had already claimed over 100 lives in Kingston, New Hampshire, when he discovered that Peruvian bark was excellent treatment, thereby drastically lowering future fatalities.
On August 2, 1776, he was the first person to vote for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the second person to sign it.
Personal History and Legacy
In 1754, he married his cousin Mary Bartlett. Four of the couple’s twelve children died as infants. Mary was a smart and diligent woman who supported her husband and raises their children well despite his absence.
In his later years, he endured bad health, and he passed away in 1795 at the age of 65.
Estimated Net Worth
Unknown.
Trivia
He was a tall, well-muscled man who dressed well.
As a physician, he did not fear experimenting on himself or his children.
Three of his children and several of his grandchildren followed in his footsteps by becoming physicians.