Back to Back Issues Page
Declaration of Independence Signers - Josiah Bartlett
September 16, 2011
Hello

Fun Facts is Back!

After taking a few months off, American History Fun Facts ezine is back! We hope that you all had a wonderful summer, and that you are enjoying cooler weather now that it's almost fall.

This year, we will be focusing on the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence . One of the main sources for this series will be the book For You They Signed, by Marilyn Boyer. This book offers short biographies of all 56 signers, and it's the perfect reference to use for this!

We'll start with...

Josiah Bartlett

Josiah Bartlett was born on November 21, 1729 in Amesbury, MA. He was determined from a young age to become a medical doctor. When he was old enough (age 16), he was sent to work as an apprentice for a local physician who was also a relative. When he was 21 years old, he had learned enough to become known as Dr. Bartlett.

Dr. Josiah Bartlett moved to Kingston, NH and started his own practice. He became involved in his community and was soon known as a local leader. During that time, he was elected as a Justice of the Peace, even though he had no formal legal training. He was known as someone who could be impartial in matters of the law. He was also appointed to be a commander of militia troops, by the royal governor.


In 1774, Bartlett was elected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress, but had to decline because his house had just been lost to fire, most likely due to the British. He was again elected in 1775, this time to the Second Continental Congress, ans he was able to accept this time.


Dr. Josiah Bartlett is thought to have been the second person to sign the Declaration of Independence text on August 2, 1776. John Hancock was the first.


Bartlett not only worked in Congress to build the American Navy during the Revolutionary War, he also treated wounded soldiers. During the Constitutional Convention, he supported the adoption of the new Constitution.


Fun Facts About Josiah Bartlett

  • Became a physician at age 21

  • 1st person to vote in approval of the Declaration of Independence

  • 2nd person to sign Declaration of Independence

  • 1st delegate to sign the Articles of Confederation

  • 1st President of the New Hampshire Medical Society

  • 1st Governor of the State of New Hampshire

  • Married to his cousin, Mary Bartlett

  • The town of Bartlett, New Hampshire is named in honor of him

  • Was thought to be the first person to treat patients with Peruvian bark for throat distemper, an often fatal disease

  • Served as Associate justice and Chief Justice of the New Hampshire supreme court

    • Sources: "For You They Signed" by Marilyn Boyer; colonialhall.com


    Recently Added Pages on American History Fun Facts

    Remembering 911 was added in hopes of having you, the visitors of American History Fun Facts, contribute your memories of 911. The 10th anniversary of 911 made us all reflect back on where we were that day, and I also remembered how united America felt for an all too short time after.

    With the cooler weather comes a reminder that Halloween is just around the corner. We have a new Historical and Patriotic Costumes page that offers a nice selection of historical costumes for the holiday. If you just need some ideas, it's a good page to visit for those too!

    Labor Day was the first Monday in September, and I published a Labor Day Facts facts page that weekend. You can read about the history, origin and some Labor Day facts there.

    Just for fun, I published some online jigsaw puzzles with US history themes. All of the puzzles are free to work online, and you can make them as hard or easy as you want. Change them to fewer pieces and let your youngest kids play with them, and then use the same picture and make them as hard as you like for you to try!

    This summer, American History Fun Facts had the chance to offer a giveaway for the beautiful, hard cover book For You They Signed book (the one that I'm using for the main resource for the series on the Signers of the Declaration of Independence). It was a fun giveaway, with the winner receiving a copy of the coffee table sized book. You can read more about the book by clicking on the link above.

    Another recent addition to the website was the page on History Vacations . Some ideas for road trips and vacations with a focus on history, and a place for you to share your favorite spots to visit.

    That about catches you up with the main changes to the American History Fun Facts. You can stay up-to-date with everything by subscribing to the blog, "liking" our Facebook page or joining us on Twitter. I post regularly to Facebook and Twitter, with daily "today in American history" posts, a few quotes, links to interesting articles or sites that I find and more. It's a great way to keep visitors engaged and updated!

    The American History Fun Facts calendar is out on lulu.com. This year, I added a lot of historic dates and information to the calendar. Featuring beautiful portraits from American history, fun facts and interesting tidbits from history, this calendar would make a great gift!


    Below are some links to the ezine sign up page and e-mail for American History Fun Facts. If you have any friends who might enjoy receiving the Weekly Fun Facts ezine, please forward this e-mail to them!

    Don't forget, each new subscriber gets a copy of my ebook - "101 American History Fun Facts"!

    American History Fun Facts e-mail American History Fun Facts ezine sign up page

      Until next time....

      Julie

    American History Fun Facts

    This ezine was produced using Site Build It!

    Back to Back Issues Page