Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795

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 Articles of Confederation and the Declaration of Independence. He served as the first governor of New Hampshire and chief justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature.

Born in Amesbury in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, by age 17, he had learned some of both Latin and Greek and began the study of medicine, working in the office of Dr. Ordway of Amesbury at the same time. Before Bartlett turned 21, he moved to Kingston, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County, and began his practice. Bartlett actively practiced medicine for 45 years. Bartlett became active in the political affairs of Kingston, and in 1765 he was elected to the colonial assembly. In 1767, he became the colonel of his county's militia, and Governor John Wentworth appointed him justice of the peace. As the Revolution neared, his Whig policies brought him into opposition with Wentworth.

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