November 21, 1729][a] – May 19, 1795) was an American Founding Father,[1] physician, statesman, a delegate to the Continental Congress for New Hampshire, and a signatory to the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation.

During that time, he promoted wellness practices, including diet, exercise, fresh air, and a contented mind.

He fostered using messages from one's body to improve one's health, like drinking when thirsty and covering up when sick with chills.

He managed an outbreak of throat distemper, or diphtheria, with Peruvian bark, also known as quinine, with much greater success than traditional treatments.

Bartlett experimented with therapy using several available drugs and empirically discovered that Peruvian bark, also known as quinine, relieved symptoms long enough to allow recovery.

[17] Beginning June 25, 1765, Bartlett and Dr. Amos Gale were partners in a medical practice in Kingston for a period of three years.

[8] Bartlett believed in fostering wellness, including exercise, diet, fresh air, and following cues of one's body, like drinking when thirsty and covering up when sick with the chills.

As a young adult, he also made money dealing in lumber and buying and selling real estate.

[6][23] Bartlett conducted discussions with Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth (1741–1766) and the Provincial Assembly to mediate dissension caused by the Stamp Act of 1765 (enacted by the Parliament of Great Britain).

[3] While a legislator, Bartlett was at odds with both Governor Wentworths, Benning and John, who endorsed the Kingdom of Great Britain's agenda over the needs of the people of New Hampshire.

In an unsuccessful attempt to influence Bartlett, Governor Benning Wentworth appointed him as justice of the peace in 1765.

[24] Wanting independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, Bartlett participated in revolutionary causes beginning in 1774.

[6][25] In response, the governor immediately dissolved the Provincial Assembly, which resulted in the termination of the royal government in New Hampshire.

A temporary government was organized with the Provincial Congress,[26] when that assembly was not in session, the Committee of Safety took the lead.

Bartlett was chosen to represent New Hampshire at the First Continental Congress (September 5 to October 26, 1774), but declined because his house was razed.

[27][28] He was named an "accessory after the fact" for the Capture of Fort William and Mary (December 14, 1774) in New Castle, New Hampshire.

[3] He was selected as a delegate in 1775, and attended the Second Session of the Continental Congress where he sat on the civil government, secrecy, safety, marine, and munitions Committees.

[29] When the question of declaring independence from Great Britain was officially brought up in 1776, as a representative of the northernmost colony Bartlett was the first to be asked, and he answered in the affirmative.

[10] While he was away from home, his wife Mary, pregnant part of that time, had managed the planting and harvesting of crops, cared for their large family, and oversaw the servants' work.

For Josiah and Mary Bartlett, the permanent alterations the Revolution brought to them and their provincial world were grafted upon a larger field of stability.

[3][2] During his tenure, Bartlett developed the foundation for New Hampshire to operate successfully as a state by evaluating existing laws and making new ones, regulating the use of gold and silver coins, establishing special judges, and working with the legislature.

His portrait hangs in the State House in Concord, New Hampshire, drawn from an original by John Trumbull.