John Bartlett Monument

In Amesbury, there is a prominent statue of Josiah Barlett, a figure whose life connects this small New England town to the founding of the nation.

Josiah Bartlett was born in 1729 in what was then part of Amesbury. Trained as a physician, he built a reputation for both skill and dedication. 

As tensions grew between the American colonies and Great Britain, Bartlett became involved in the movement for independence. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and in 1776, became one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He holds a small but notable distinction, he was the first to sign after John Hancok, placing his name prominently among those who committed to the cause.

Bartlett later served as a judge, chief justice and eventually as Governor of New Hampshire, continuing his public service in the early years of the new nation.

The statue in Amesbury honors this full arc of his life: physician, patriot and leader. The plaque reinforces this legacy:

“Born at Amesbury, Massachusetts, 1729. Died at Kingston, New Hampshire, 1795. Patriot, scholar, statesman. A delegate to the Continental Congress. A signer of the Declaration of Independence. With Stark at Bennington. A member of the convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. Chief Justice, President, and first Governor of New Hampshire. Not more illustrious for public services than for private virtues.”

The monument, erected on July 4, 1888, reflects how a later generation chose to remember him, through his public service, his leadership and his character.

The presence in Amesbury is meaningful. This is not where Bartlett built his political career, but it is where his life began. The statue anchors his national significance to a local place, reminding visitors that the individual who shaped the country often came from small communities.