American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography Online

WEBSTER, Dr. Eliphalet K. (1802-1881). 74pp. autograph manuscript signed, concerning Josiah Bartlett (second to sign the Declaration of Independence after John Hancock and 1st Governor of New Hampshire). Dr. Webster was the brother-in-law of statesman Daniel Webster and brother of Civil War Genl. Joseph D. Webster (Chief of Staff to both Generals Grant and Sherman). Written in the form of a compilation of notes, Dr. Webster painstakingly details Bartlett’s public life beginning in 1765 and pays great attention to the Revolutionary War years. He details the votes taken by the New Hampshire General Assembly, the Colony’s association with the Continental Congress, and more. Various war luminaries are mentioned throughout.  The manuscript discusses difficulties with Colonial Governor Wentworth in 1775, the appointment of a committee of correspondence in May 1774, references the Nov. 3, 1775 resolution of the Continental Congress authorizing the N.H. Province to form a new house of representatives “of the people” (signed by John Hancock as President), fully details resolutions in January 1776, forming the new revolutionary government of New Hampshire and the various councils, committees for raising arms; December 24 notes where Col. William Whipple, Col. Josiah Bartlett, and Col. Matthew Thornton ”… are elected and appointed delegates to represent the State of New Hampshire in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia… and that any one of them in the absence of the other have full power to represent this State…” The last page reads “Dr. E.K. Webster of Boscawen Medical Society.”  

Provenance: This item was purchased by the consignor at the historic Josiah Bartlett homestead sale in 1989. Dr. Webster, who practiced medicine in Boscawen from 1844-70, served at various times as Secretary and President of the N.H. Medical Society. It is not known why he wrote these notes or why it was part of the material passed down through generations of the Bartlett family. Possibly while penning these notes he had occasion to visit the Bartlett home to examine original source material and left the notes there without completing his work. 

A wonderful association item.