Josiah Bartlett was a physician, statesman, and Patriot whose intellect and vision earned him a place among the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Born on November 21, 1729, in Amesbury, Massachusetts, Bartlett began studying medicine at the age of 16, practicing under several local doctors before establishing his own practice in Kingston, New Hampshire. Pioneering new ways to treat common ailments such as fevers and diphtheria, Bartlett quickly earned the respect of his adoptive colony as a skilled doctor.

Bartlett’s influence extended beyond his medical practice. In the 1760s, as tensions with Britain increased, Bartlett was elected to the colonial assembly. In 1774, he became such a fervent advocate for American independence that when voting for independence, Bartlett reportedly “made the rafters shake with the loudness of his approval.” He was among the first to vote for independence in 1776 and risked his own personal safety by enlisting in the New Hampshire state militia. At one point, Bartlett’s home was burned to the ground, likely by British loyalists.

Bartlett played a key role in drafting the New Hampshire state constitution and served as Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. In 1790, he became the first governor of New Hampshire. He died on May 19, 1795, at the age of 65, but his contributions to medicine and politics fundamentally shaped our nation.