FRESH STUFF DAILY
Seacoast New Hampshire
& South Coast Maine
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
|
|
| |
|
|
|
1145
generic propecia candadian farmacy cialis canadian levitra cheap online viagra levitra online prescription viagra online viagra without prescription canada cheapest med canadian cialis viagra in canada buy canadian drugs online canada cheapest med viagra without prescription cialis or viagra viagra sale viagra canada no prescription pharmacies cialis viagra buy daily cialis cialis daily generic viagra canada viagra without prescription viagra online canada pharmacy viagra online pharmacy to buy phentermine canada pharmacy viagra get viagra prescription online viagra for sale propecia 5mg canadian levitra buy propecia get viagra viagra online no prescription canadian pharmacy
0
|
Doctor Josiah Bartlett
|
 |
 |
|
Written by Anne and Charles Eastman, Jr.
|
|
NH FRAMERS OF FREEDOM
You may know Josiah Bartlett only as the President of the United States in the TV show "The West Wing". But he was a real flesh-and-blood revolutionary and signer of the Declaration from NH. Born the son of a showmaker in Amesbury, Mass, Bartlett was caught up in the Revolution and became the first "president" of post-war New Hampshire.
SEE ALSO: Mary Bartlett
SEE MORE: NH Framers
JOSIAH BARTLETT was in many respects an ordinary man who achieved historical greatness because he met the stimulus of extraordinary times with distinction. He had neither the erudition and theoretical brilliance of Thomas Jefferson, the inventive genius and unfailing wit of Ben Franklin, the superb formal education of Benjamin Rush nor the explosiveness of the young Alexander Hamilton.
Signed The Declaration
He has, moreover, remained largely the. property of New Hampshire "statists" who proudly point to his signature at the bottom of the Declaration of Independence, and who are quick to mention that it appears first among the delegates as if he had taken the quill from the hand of John Hancock. Yet, even in New Hampshire, he is largely unsung, despite the fact that he was for several years its representative at the Continental Congress and played a decisive part in the remarkably peaceful transition from royal to republican administration in that state. Versatile and largely self taught, he was a physician, farmer, family man, public servant and phenomenally skilful organizer of men and property.
The son of an Amesbury, Mass. shoemaker, Josiah Bartlett at the age of 21 journeyed to New Hampshire, and by hard work, determination and not a little luck became a man of property and influence.
An Unlikely Revolutionary
During the pre-revolutionary years he wed Mary Bartlett, had a large family, opened a medical practice and built a large home in Kingston. He gained town office for the "establishment" at that date. He represented the town at the Provincial Assembly and held both royal commissions and royal confidence. He was a highly unlikely revolutionary, at times downright stingy, he could be both dour and self-righteous. Yet his courage was amazing. When the time came to "separate the sheep from the goats," he was decisive and unbending. He gave all of which he was capable to his town, his state and the fledgling nation at great sacrifice to himself and his family. Bartlett became one of the dominant men in New Hampshire state government, serving on the Committee of Safety and as a member of the Council. His importance in state politics was second only to that of Meshech Weare, with whom Bartlett was closely allied. Bartlett was a member of the Continental Congress from August, 1775 through 1776 but declined a reappointment for the following year. He also served for five months in 1778. Although he had no legal training, Bartlett was judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1779 until 1790.
"President Of New Hampshire"
He worked for the ratification of the federal Constitution as a member of the New Hampshire Ratification Convention and he was elected first as president and, when the title was changed, as governor of the state 1790-94.
It is tempting to regard our ancestors as more than human and to endow them with godlike qualities that they did not possess. Faced with Bartlett's kaleidoscopic private accomplishment and public service, it is comforting to remember that through it all he remained a devoted and loving family man who anguished over his children when they were ill, rejoiced with them when things went well and retained his humanity even though, to this age of specialization, his accomplishments seem superhuman.
BARLETT LINKS: Click here for more on Josisah Bartlett
Originally published in "NH: Years of Revolution," Profiles Publications and the NH Bicentennial Commision, 1976. Reprinted by permission of the authors. First published online at SeacaostNH.com in 1997. Bartlett image from New Hampshire Historical Society.
|
Please visit these SeacoastNH.com ad partners.
Portsmouth Herald
|
Portsmouth Herald Latest Headlines
|
| Portsmouth Herald News from SeacoastOnline.com |
-
Thief stole charity jar from donut shop, say police
PORTSMOUTH — While a Dunkin' Donuts clerk turned her back to fill an order, Derrick Rice stole a counter-top jar filled with donations for children with cancer, allege police.
-
Portsmouth police log
7:08 a.m. Arrested Shari Webber, 29, of 258 Leslie Dr., for a count of driving after alcohol-related suspension.
-
City resident arrested on child porn charges
PORTSMOUTH — Eight months after a woman accused him of viewing child pornography, a Salmon Avenue man has been arrested on multiple counts of possessing child porn and a single...
-
Boys soccer: STA falls in double overtime
EXETER — For 110 minutes the St. Thomas Aquainas and Coe-Brown High School boys soccer teams battled for a spot in the Class I final, taking a 0-0 game into...
-
High School football: Clippers need to start strong
Like a stubborn man who refuses to take his medication, the Portsmouth High School football team has been living dangerously this season.
-
High School football: Weekend game capsules
WINNACUNNET VS. SPAULDING
-
Montreal edges Bruins in shootout
BOSTON — Patrice Bergeron's goal with 52 seconds left in regulation helped the Bruins avoid a historic third straight shutout, but Michael Cammalleri scored in the shootout to give the...
-
Little Clippers advance
-
High School football: Playoffs begin with York and Portsmouth
If you look at the Mountain Valley High School football team's two most recent games — losses to second-seeded York (33-14) and top-seeded Cape Elizabeth (34-0) ˆ' you might conclude...
-
UNH hockey regroups after Wisconsin losses
After spending much of their time in scrambling to get the puck out of their own zone against Wisconsin last weekend, the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team is...
-
Seacoast mourning Bavicchi, a 'visionary'
PORTSMOUTH — There is a granite slab outside the Shoals Building at Portsmouth Regional Hospital that recognizes the tireless work of three men who guided the health care facility to...
-
Ferris G. Bavicchi
RYE BEACH — Ferris G. Bavicchi, 84, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
-
Stephen M. Carroll
PORTSMOUTH — Stephen Michael Carroll, beloved son, brother and uncle, died peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, after a brief illness.
-
William C. Wilson
HAMPTON — William C. Wilson of Hampton Beach and Cape Coral, Fla., husband of Maryann T. (Fitzgerald), died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.
-
Gov. Lynch helps Red Cross honor 'Heroes'
PORTSMOUTH — Heroes may not be as rare as thought.
-
Community asked to welcome home Jordyn Boucher
BRENTWOOD — Jordyn Boucher is coming home after a two-month stay at Children's Hospital in Boston, and her family is asking the Seacoast community to help welcome her.
-
Plea deal follows police call alleging man had firearm
RYE — Arrested after police responded to a 911 call about an intoxicated man with a gun, Sean Tichey was absolved of a Class A misdemeanor Thursday as part of...
-
UNH study: Child porn probes take physical, mental toll on police
PORTSMOUTH — Police officers exposed to child pornography as part of criminal investigations live with "mental health problems," according to a University of New Hampshire study based on interviews with...
-
Woman on trek to feed need in Maine
If you see a lively lady in a bright yellow hard hat walking along the highways and streets of Maine, be sure to stop and say hello — and while...
-
Portsmouth shop to give away cupcakes Saturday
PORTSMOUTH — If there's one thing Debbie Mugherini, owner of the Old Stove Bake Shoppe, wants people to take away from her shop, it's a smile.
|
|
|
|
|
| Saturday, November 07, 2009 |
|
|
|
