Mary Bartlett

Mary Bartlett (December 27, 1730 – June 14, 1789) was a colonial American woman, caretaker, and patriot of New Hampshire who assisted her husband in his career and life. Her husband, Josiah Bartlett, was a physician and patriot, who became the governor of New Hampshire after her death.

Early life Born December 27, 1730, Mary Bartlett was the daughter of Sarah (née Hoyt) and Joseph Bartlett, who fought in the French and Indian Wars in 1707 at Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was captured and held captive for four years in Canada by the Algonquin people. He was at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, and signed the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776). He was a creator of the Articles of Confederation (July 1776 and November 1777).

While he was away, Bartlett and her husband exchanged letters that "represent a rich cache of documents about late eighteenth-century and Revolutionary domestic life, in addition to much local news." But, Josiah wrote a letter to his daughter Rhoda True that Bartlett died that day, July 14, 1789. Josiah Bartlett died May 19, 1795. They are buried in the Bartlett Box Tomb at Plains Cemetery, Kingston, New Hampshire. Four of their children—Miriam, Sarah, Lois, and Levi—and their spouses are buried at the cemetery.

Daughter Laura Bartlett made the watercolor painting Mourning Picture for Josiah Bartlett and Mary Bartlett. On the sarcophagus was the message "Sacred to the memory of His Excellency Joseph Bartlett, Obit May, 1795 AE 65ys." and on the edge of the tomb is: "In the memory of Mary, consort of, Josiah Bartlett, Obit 14th July 1789 AE 58 ys."

Legacy The Mary Bartlett chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was named after Bartlett, wife of Josiah. The Mary Bartlett Fund was established to take in donations that were used for worthwhile projects, such as an elevator for the Memorial Continental Hall, books, and other endeavors.