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Note: Josiah Bartlett (1729?1795), was an American physician and statesman who, as a delegate to the Continental Congress for New Hampshire, signed the Declaration of Independence. He was later Chief Justice of New Hampshire's Supreme Court and Governor of the state. Personal life Josiah was born in on November 21, 1729 to Stephen and Hannah (Webster) Bartlett in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He was their fifth child and fourth son. He attended the common schools, but with uncommon success. By the age of sixteen, by study, he had also built a foundation in Latin and learned some Greek. In 1745 he began the study of medicine, working in the office of Dr. Ordway of Amesbury. Before he turned twenty-one, in 1750, he moved to Kingston, New Hampshire in Rockingham County, hung out his shingle and began his practice. Kingston at that time was a frontier settlement of only a few hundred families. If a man could stitch wounds, set bones, and treat fevers, he was welcome, even without formal educational credentials. Dr. Bartlett could, and as the only Doctor in this part of the county, his practice prospered. He purchased land and added a farm to his credit. On January 15, 1754 he married Mary Bartlett of Newton, New Hampshire. She was his cousin, the daughter of his uncle, Joseph. They would remain a devoted couple until her death in July 14, 1789. Over the years they would have eleven children: Mary (1754), Lois (1756), Miriam (1758), Rhoda (1760), Hannah (who died as an infant, 1762), Levi (1753), Josiah (1765, died that same year), Josiah (1768), Ezra (1770), Sarah (1773), Hannah (1776, also died as an infant). All three of his sons, and five of his grandsons would follow him as physicians. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fictional President of The West Wing, a popular television drama series, is named "Josiah Bartlet". Despite the spelling difference, the character (played by Martin Sheen) claims to be a direct descendant of a New Hampshire signer of the Declaration of Independence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Bartlett
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