spondingly large. His name was a household word throughout New Hampshire. He was a leading Federalist in the state, and even John Taylor Gilman's ability, executive force and popularity would have remained in the background some years longer if the great signer had continued in public life. As it was, Gilman stepped forward, like another Elisha, to catch the falling mantle from the dying sage.
The repose of a private life, which must have become eminently desirable to a man whose life had been passed amid the toils and cares of the Revolution, was destined to be of brief duration. One year only was allowed the gifted patriot to indulge in the needed relaxation so necessary to him. Like Washington, he did not retire any too soon from the strife and vexation of public life. A few more short months and both would have died in harness. It is pleasant to think that their latter days were free from those rasping worriments which are the usual accompaniments of public service, and that amid their families and the delights of books and pastoral scenes their lives flowed out broad and full, widening as a river when it joins the great sea.
May 19th, 1795, there was unwonted gloom in all the rooms of the noble mansion. In his chamber Josiah Bartlett, governor of New Hampshire, delegate to the provincial congress, signer of the Declaration, skilled physician, patriot, and Christian gentleman, lay a-dying. Several weeks previously he had taken a severe cold which threw him into a fever, from which he never recovered. His illness was protracted, but to the period of his dissolution he retained the full possession of his faculties. He died late in the day, a beautiful spring day, when nature was putting on her fresh robes so typical of the new life which faith looks for beyond the grave. A vast assemblage of persons, consisting of judges of the courts, the governor of the state, and many of his old compatriots, together with the citizens of the town, followed the remains of this eminent man to his resting-place in the tomb. A simple monument marks the spot and commemorates his glory, in the ancient burial-place of the village.
Governor Bartlett married early in life his cousin, Mary Bartlett, the daughter of his uncle, Joseph Bartlett, of Newton, N. H. By her he had two sons, Levi and Josiah, jr. Levi, the eldest, was a physician of note, and succeeded in the occupancy of the mansion and ownership of the estate. He wrote a memoir of his father which is among Farmer's New Hampshire Historical Collections. Josiah was also a physician, and was for many years president of the New Hampshire Medical Society.
Dr. Levi Bartlett died in 1842, and the house and estate descended to his son, Dr. Levi S. Bartlett. The latter was a prominent man in his day and generation. He served as selectman and representative of his town, and during several years was the postmaster at Kingston. It is worthy of mention, as a singular coincidence, that there were three Levi Bartletts serving as postmasters in New Hampshire at the same time: namely, Levi Bartlett at Kingston, Levi Bartlett at Stratham, and Levi Bartlett at Warner.
General Edward F. Noyes, of Ohio, minister to France, spent a large number of his youthful years at the Bartlett place, Dr. Bartlett being his guardian. The general's mother was a Stevens, and a relative of the doctor's wife. Associates of his were the doctor's children who at present own the estate. They are Levi, Miss Ella A., and Miss Junia L. Bartlett. The youngest sister, Etta A., has been bought out by her brother. She married Hon. John S. Connor, of Cincinnati, judge of Hamilton county, Ohio. Their residence is the President Harrison place at North Bend.
"On Ida's mount is the shining snow,
But Jove is gone from its brow away;
And red on the field the poppies grow,
Where the Greeks and the Trojans fought that day.
