[May 19, 2015] A few days ago I had the pleasure of talking with a two college students and, as I normally do, I asked them about their lives; where they were from and their college experience. One blond-haired, very young man told me about himself and that one of his favorite things to do was to watch the fictional television show West Wing. The show stars Martin Sheen as Josiah Bartlet, the fictional U.S. President; despite the spelling difference, a name resurrected from history after Josiah Bartlett, second signatory to the U.S. Constitution after John Hancock.1
Growing up I had a good education about the U.S. government and its inner workings. What I did not learn about was Josiah Bartlett from New Hampshire; a medical doctor in his hometown. It is probably a good chance that most of us didn’t learn about him either unless you’re from New Hampshire. Needless to say, he played a significant role in U.S. colonial revolutionary politics. He showed courage when he was the first to be called upon, as a member of the Continental Congress, and the first to vote on whether to declare independence from Great Britain. He voted in the affirmative.
His integrity, patriotism, courage, and leadership were instrumental in the revolutionary government of the colonies. Throughout the worst of times, Bartlett was instrumental in helping formulate sound and fair policy through his Congressional committee work. In 1778, after being re-elected, he served on the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation. His patriotism was of a singularly elevated character and the sacrifices he made for the good of his new country were such as few men were willing to make.2
On this date May 19th, 1795, Josiah Barlett died after a full life and one that helped make the United States what it is today. Our respect and admiration go out to Josiah Bartlett for his enormous contribution to the success of the American Revolution and its newly formed government. He was a leader in the truest sense of the word.
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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Bartlett
[2] http://colonialhall.com/bartlett/bartlett.php