Description:

Bartlett Josiah 1729 - 1795 Josiah Bartlett rare military appointment with large and bold signature

Cream watermarked paper, partly typewritten and partly handwritten in black ink, with embossed paper New Hampshire state seal affixed to upper left corner. Document signed by President of New Hampshire Josiah Bartlett as well as Secretary of State Joseph Pearson. Bartlett's signature is large and confident; Pearson's signature is elegant and underlined with a tendril of repeating loops. Docket verso. In very good to fine condition, with expected wear including paper folds, some with infilling and other professional restoration. Document measures 15.25" x 12.375".

The document reads in part as follows: "To Josiah Stevens Junr Gentleman Greeting. We reposing especial trust and confidence in your Fidelity, courage and good conduct, DO by these presents, constitute and appoint you the said Josiah Stevens Junr. second Lieutenant of the fifth Company in fifteenth Regiment of Militia, in the said State of NEW-HAMPSHIRE. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a second-Lieutenant in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good order and discipline; hereby commanding them to obey you as their second Lieutenant and yourself to observe and follow such orders and instructions as you shall from time to time receive from the Commander in Chief of the Army, Navy, and Military forces of said State for the Time being, or any your superior Officers for the service of said State, according to Military rules and discipline, pursuant to the trust reposed in you, and to hold said office during good behavior."

Josiah Bartlett (1729-1795) was first a practicing physician, and then a political activist. He was one of three New Hampshire delegates to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and tended wounded Continentals at the Battle of Bennington one year later. He helped draft the Articles of Confederation in the late 1770s, and during his later career, he served as a state supreme court judge before being elected as President and then Governor of the State of New Hampshire. Bartlett thus served as state President for about one year, during which time he authorized military certificates like ours appointing "Josiah Stevens, Junr Gentleman" as second lieutenant.

The militia officer cited here is listed as Josiah Stevens, Jr. but is most likely Josiah Stevens (1752-1837). Stevens was born in New Haven County, CT but later relocated to New Hampshire. During the Revolutionary War, he served as an ensign in Captain Christopher Webber's Company, the 12 th Regiment of New Hampshire (aka Colonel David Hobart's Regiment), and General Stark's Brigade. He saw action at the Battle of Bennington and indeed may have seen Dr. Josiah Bartlett there treating wounded soldiers. He was also at Fort Ticonderoga and in the Northern Campaign under General Gates. Eventually we know that Stevens was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 15 th New Hampshire Regiment, the same fighting unit listed on our certificate. Josiah's son Josiah Jr. (1784-1864) fought for New Hampshire during the Civil War, and only would have been about seven when this document authorizing his father's promotion was signed.

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June 14, 2017 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

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