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Kelly Bartlett Biography & Facts

Josiah Bartlett (December 2, 1729 [O.S. November 21, 1729] – May 19, 1795) was an American Founding Father, physician, statesman, a delegate to the Continental Congress for New Hampshire, and a signatory to the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation. He was a member of the convention which framed the Constitution of the United States in 1787. He served as the first governor of New Hampshire and chief justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature, now the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Bartlett practiced medicine over 40 years. During that time, he promoted wellness practices, including diet, exercise, fresh air, and a contented mind. He fostered using messages from one's body to improve one's health, like drinking when thirsty and covering up when sick with chills. He managed an outbreak of throat distemper, or diphtheria, with Peruvian bark, also known as quinine, with much greater success than traditional treatments. When his was very sick himself, he took cold cider, versus a warm drink, at intervals to break a fever. As governor, Bartlett worked to ensure the state's success by supporting farming and businesses, improving the state's infrastructure, codifying and enacting laws, adding special judges, and paying off the state's debt. He ran a farm and orchards over his life. His wife Mary Bartlett took on that responsibility when Bartlett was away at the Continental Congress in Pennsylvania. Bartlett and his wife wrote letters to one another that provide insight into the life of a founding father, the trials they experienced and conquered as they fought for a country independent from British rule, and their strength in creating a stable life for themselves and their twelve children, eight of whom survived children. Personal life Josiah Bartlett, born on November 21, 1729 in Amesbury, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, was the seventh and last child of Hannah (née Webster) and Stephen Bartlett, a shoemaker. Bartlett had some education from the town schoolmaster and possibly circuit schools. He learned Latin and Greek, most likely from a relative, Reverend Doctor John Webster. In 1745, Bartlett studied medicine in his hometown under Dr. Nehemiah Ordway, a relative. He also studied from Ordway's and other physician's medical books. After a five year apprenticeship, he moved to Kingston, New Hampshire in 1750, where he lived with Reverend Joseph Secombe. One year later, he purchased twelve acres for a farm. On January 15, 1754, he married Mary Bartlett of Newton, New Hampshire. She was his cousin, the daughter of his uncle, Deacon Joseph Bartlett and Sarah (née Hoyt) Bartlett. The Bartletts had twelve children, eight who lived to adulthood. They were: Mary (1754), Lois (1756), Miriam (1758), Rhoda (1760), Levi (1763), Josiah (1768), Ezra (1770), and Sarah (1773). All three of his sons and seven of his grandsons would follow him as physicians. Bartlett was a freemason and encouraged his son Josiah to join. Bartlett and Mary remained married until her death on July 14, 1789. Career Medicine In 1750, he moved to Kingston, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County, and opened his medical practice. Kingston at that time was a frontier settlement. Bartlett actively practiced medicine for 40 years. During that time, he tested both traditional and new treatments for optimal efficacy. A virulent form a throat distemper or diphtheria, with a fever and canker, spread throughout Kingston in 1754. Bartlett experimented with therapy using several available drugs and empirically discovered that Peruvian bark, also known as quinine, relieved symptoms long enough to allow recovery. He also realized the benefits of curing fevers with cool liquids, like apple cider, taken at intervals. He tried this when he was quite ill, against his physician's orders, with success. Beginning June 25, 1765, Bartlett and Dr. Amos Gale were partners in a medical practice in Kingston for a period of three years. Bartlett believed in fostering wellness, including exercise, diet, fresh air, and following cues of one's body, like drinking when thirsty and covering up when sick with the chills. He also believed "to keep the mind as Easy and Contented as possible" were "of much more Service than a multiplicity of Medicines". In 1790, Bartlett secured legislation recognizing the New Hampshire Medical Society. He was elected chief executive of New Hampshire, serving as president in 1791 and 1792. In 1790, he delivered the commencement address at Dartmouth College when his son Ezra graduated. Bartlett was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Medicine the same day his son was awarded the same degree. Farming and real estate While in Kingston, Bartlett grew crops on his twelve-acre farm beginning in 1751. As a young adult, he also made money dealing in lumber and buying and selling real estate. After he was married, the Bartletts planted and harvested crops, like corn and beans, with the help of servants. They had an orchard with peach, apple, plum, and cherry trees. Politics Bartlett became active in the political affairs of Kingston, and in 1765, he was elected to the Provincial Assembly. Bartlett conducted discussions with Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth (1741–1766) and the Provincial Assembly to mediate dissension caused by the Stamp Act of 1765 (enacted by the Parliament of Great Britain). He opposed the Townshend Acts of 1767 and 1768 and aligned politically with the patriots, or Whigs. Bartlett was member of the colonial legislature until 1775. While a legislator, Bartlett was at odds with both Governor Wentworths, Benning and John, who endorsed the Kingdom of Great Britain's agenda over the needs of the people of New Hampshire. In an unsuccessful attempt to influence Bartlett, Governor Benning Wentworth appointed him as justice of the peace in 1765. Two years later, Colonial Governor John Wentworth (1767–1775) did the same. Bartlett organized the 7th Regiment of the New Hampshire Milition and in 1770, he was a colonel of the militia. Wanting independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, Bartlett participated in revolutionary causes beginning in 1774. He joined the Provincial Assembly's Committee of Correspondence and the Committee of Safety in May. In response, the governor immediately dissolved the Provincial Assembly, which resulted in the termination of the royal government in New Hampshire. A temporary government was organized with the Provincial Congress, when that assembly was not in session, the Committee of Safety took the lead. Bartlett retained his seat in the Assembly. The Committee of Correspondence reassembled the representatives and selected delegates to the upcoming Continental Congress. Also in May, his house was burned down, likely by Tories. Bartlett was chosen to represent New Hampshire at the First Continental Congress (September 5 to October 26, 1774), but declined because his house was razed. He moved his family out to the farmhouse and began r.... Discover the Kelly Bartlett popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Kelly Bartlett books.