Biographical Notices of the Physicians of Kingston, New Hampshire

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Source: The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Volume 1, Number 1, 
January 1847,  New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts, 
pages 95-99

[page 95]

            BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF PHYSICIANS IN KINGSTON, N. H.
  The first Physician of Kingston of whom we have any definite account, was a 
Dr. Green, who died some time in the year 1750. The vacancy created by his 
death was filled by Dr. Josiah Bartlett and Dr. Aaron Sawyer. Dr. Sawyer soon 
returned to the Upper Parish of Amesbury, Ms., whence be originated.
  Dr. Josiah Bartlett was born in Amesbury Ms., Nov. 21, 1727, O. S. His father, 
whose name was Stephen Bartlett, had not much property, but was, however, 
enabled to give him a medical education under the instruction of Dr. Ordway, a 
respectable physician of Amesbury. Dr. Bartlett completed his medical studies at 
the age of twenty-one, and very soon after established himself at Kingston, N. H.
  He married his cousin, Mary Bartlett, of Newtown, N. H., Jan. 15, 1754, by 
whom he had twelve children.
  His practice became very extensive, and he was eminently successful, 
especially in the treatment of the Cynanche Malign, or Throat Distemper, 
which first made its appearance in Kingston, with great fatality, in 1765.
  Dr. Bartlett began his political career as Representative front Kingston, in the 
Legislature of New Hampshire, while an English colony.
[page 96]
  He continued to fill various offices of trust, from this time to the year 1775, 
when he was elected to the Continental Congress, which met at Philadelphia in 
September of that year. In July, 1776, Congress declared the Colonies 
independent, and Dr. Bartlett was the first, after the venerable Hancock, to sign 
this instrument of American freedom.
  In November, 1778, Dr. Bartlett returned home to attend to his domestic affairs, 
which had suffered greatly from his absence. About this time he was appointed 
Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and was transferred to the Superior 
Bench in November, 1782, and there officiated till he was appointed, in 1788, 
Chief Justice of the State. Judge Bartlett sustained, during this period, many 
offices not incompatible with his high judicial character, such as Counsellor, a 
member of the Convention to form a State Constitution, and was one of a 
Committee, with Judge Livermore and Gen. Sullivan, to revise the Laws of the 
State, and a member of the Convention to ratify the new Constitution.
  In 1789, he was elected Senator to Congress, but his declining health, and the 
depression of spirits consequent upon the sudden death of his wife, early in that 
year, induced him to decline the duties of Senator, and to resign the office of 
Chief Justice.
  The people, unwilling to lose his services, elected him President of the State, in 
1790.
  Dr. Bartlett took an active part in forming the New Hampshire Medical 
Society, and was elected, in 1791, its first President.
  In 1792, he was chosen a member to revise the Constitution of New Hampshire, 
in which the title of President was dropped, and that of Governor substituted, 
and he was the first Chief Magistrate with the title of Governor. About this 
time, he received the honorary degrees of M. A. and M. D. from Dartmouth 
College.
  Gov. Bartlett filled all these stations with general satisfaction, without 
ostentation; administering the laws in a mild yet decisive manner, and setting 
forth the example of true republicanism.
  His appointments were just and such as met the public approbation.
  The arduous duties of a professional and political life, in those "times that 
tried men's souls," had impaired his health, and so shattered a constitution, 
never strong, that May 19, 1795, he died suddenly, of paralysis, leaving a very 
extensive circle of friends to mourn his departure.
  Gov. Bartlett was possessed of good mental powers, of a kind and benevolent 
disposition, and was scrupulously just in all his dealings. 
  Philanthropy and benevolence were the prominent traits of his character.
  His letters, still extant, show that, with a calm and childlike trust in God, he 
mingled that high sense of the responsibilities which man owes to his Creator 
and his fellow-man, which forms the foundation of a truly generous, just, and 
noble character.
  Subjoined is the testimony of one who was his neighbor and intimate friend 
for many years-the Rev. Dr. Elihu Thayer. It is taken from the Address 
delivered at the funeral of Gov. Bartlett.
  "But few persons by their own merit, without the influence of family, or party 
connections, have risen from one degree of honor and confidence to another, as 
he did. And fewer still have been the instances, in which a succession of 
honorable and important offices even to the highest, have been held by any man 
with less envy; or executed with more general approbation. Despising the gaudy 
exhibition of vain parade, (a sure mark of a noble mind,) he set a shining 
example of frugality and economy, both in private and public life, at a period 
when such virtues were peculiarly becoming and necessary. His natural temper 
was open, humane, and compassionate. In his dealings, he was scrupulously 
just, and faithful in the performance of all his engagements; and in his public 
offices, he served his country with all his might."
  The children of Gov. Bartlett who still survive, are Hon. Ezra Bartlett of 
Haverhill, N. H., and Mrs. Gale, the widow of the late, Dr. Amos Gale of 
Kingston. She is in her 74th year, and resides at South Hampton with her daughter, 
Mrs. White.
  Dr. Levi Bartlett was the eldest son of Gov. Josiah Bartlett, and was born Sept. 
3, 1763. He received his preparatory education at the then celebrated [page 97]
"Dummer School" in Newbury, Ms., and after studying the science of medicine one 
year with his father, he completed his professional course with Dr. Thomas 
Kittredge of Andover, Ms., a distinguished physician.
  Soon after, he established himself in Kingston, N. H., where his father had been 
located, and who was giving up his professional business to younger and more 
vigorous practitioners.
  Here, and in the adjoining towns, he soon acquired an extensive practice, and 
was frequently called many miles from home in consultation. He was a skilful and. 
successful surgeon, and performed many important operations.
  Dr. Bartlett filled many stations of trust. He was a Justice of the Peace and 
Quorum throughout the state, Colonel in the militia, and Post Master for many 
years. He frequently represented Kingston in the Legislature, and for several years 
was a member of the Council, and Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. But 
being of a studious and metaphysical turn, he preferred the quiet pleasures of 
private life to the care and turmoil of the political arena.
  He was married, Nov. 6, 1791, to Sally Hook, who died of consumption, Feb-
ruary, 1793. He married the second time, Abigail Stevens, April 18, 1807.
  He was kind and obliging in his disposition, generous and humane to the needy, 
and honorable and just in all his business relations.
  For several years, he suffered from paralysis, and was, consequently, unable to 
transact business or enjoy life. His earthly career terminated Jan. 30, 1828, at the 
age of 65, leaving a widow and three children--two daughters and one son.
  Dr. Levi Stevens Bartlett was born Dec. 3, 1811. He received his academical 
education at Phillips Academy, Exeter. He read medicine with his uncle, the late 
Hon. Josiah Bartlett of Stratham, Professor Elisha Bartlett, at that time of Lowell, 
Ms., and with Dr. John Barrett of Portland, Me. Dr. Bartlett attended the Medical 
Lectures at Dartmouth and Bowdoin Colleges, and received his diploma from 
Dartmouth in the year 1832, a short time before he was 21 years of age.
  Having come in possession of the landed estates of his father, and the old 
mansion of his grandfather, he settled at Kingston, where he now resides, and is in 
the practice of his profession. He married, Dec. 3, 1844, Aroline E., daughter of 
Moses Sanborn, Es q.
  Dr. Amos Gale, son of Jacob Gale, was born at East Kingston, April 9, 1744 O. 
S. He studied medicine with Dr. Josiah Bartlett of Kingston, N. H., and married 
Hannah, the only child of Daniel and Hannah Gilman of Kingston Nov. 12, 1765. 
They had ten children, six sons and four daughters, six of whom are still living. His 
practice was very extensive, and he was highly esteemed as a physician and citizen. 
He was one of the early members of the N. H. Medical Society, and he continued to 
practice medicine in Kingston and vicinity, (with the exception of a few years, 
during which he resided in Troy, N. Y.,) until a short time before his death, which 
occurred June 8, 1813, aged 69 years. The disease which terminated his life was 
paralysis. Several young men received their medical instruction from him.
  Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., son of the preceding, was born at Kingston, Oct. 15, 1768. 
He studied medicine with his father and Dr. Levi Bartlett of Kingston attended 
lectures at Boston, commenced and continued to practise medicine in his native 
town till his death, which occurred Dec. 7, 1824, aged 56 years. He was a very 
energetic and athletic man, and was characterized for his great assiduity
and self-denial in the discharge of his duties as a physician. He was married to 
Sally, youngest daughter of Gov. Bartlett, by whom he had seven children, five 
sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living. Dr. Gale held various offices in 
the town, and was Representative to the Legislature in 1808. About twenty young 
men received medical education under his instruction. He was elected a member of 
the N. H. Medical Society in 1800.
  Dr. Stephen Gale, youngest son of Dr. Amos Gale, Senior was born Jan. 28, 1723, 
and studied medicine with his brother Amos. He died Aug. 13, 1804. His disease 
was a scrofulous affection of the knee, caused by an injury.
  Dr. Ezra Bartlett Gale, eldest son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born at Kingston, 
Oct. 13, 1797. He studied medicine with his father and uncle, Dr. Levi Bartlett, and 
attended medical lectures in Boston in 1818, and practised with his [page 98]
father till July, 1821, when he commenced practice in Brentwood N. H., and 
continued there till August, 1823. In the fall of 1822, he attended a course of Medical 
Lectures at Brown University; and received the degree of M. D. in 1823. He married 
Ruth White, youngest daughter of the late Richard White Esq., of South Hampton, 
N. H., July 31, 1823, where he practised medicine till 1827, when he recommenced 
practice in Kingston, in which place he now pursues his professional duties. He had 
seven children by his first wife, four sons and three daughters all of whom are living. 
His wife died July 6, 1841. He married Emily, daughter of the late Moses Atwood, 
Esq., of Atkinson, Nov. 22, 1842, by whom he has two daughters. He is a member 
and officer of the N. H. Medical Society, and also of the Rockingham Dist. Med. 
Society.
  Dr. Levi Bartlett Gale, second son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born Aug. 29, 1800. 
He studied medicine with his father and brother, and attended lectures at Boston and 
at Brown University, where he took his degree of M. D. He commenced and 
continued the practice of medicine in Kingston till the return of his brother from 
South Hampton, when he removed to Boston, where he now resides. He married 
Sarah B. Keggan by whom he has two children.
  Dr. Josiah Bartlett Gale, third son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born Jan. 11, 1803. 
He studied medicine with his brothers Ezra Bartlett and Levi Bartlett Gale. He 
attended Medical Lectures at Brown University, and commenced the practice of 
medicine in Brentwood, where he remained but a short time. Thence he removed to 
Salisbury Mills, Ms., where he now resides. He married Hannah, daughter of the late 
Capt. Jacob Morrill of Salisbury, Ms. They have one child, a son.
  Dr. Amos Gilman Gale, fourth son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born Feb. 17, 1807. 
He commenced his medical studies with his brother Levi Bartlett Gale, and attended 
two courses of Medical Lectures at Dartmouth College, at which he received the 
degree of M. D. He commenced the practice of medicine in Hooksett, N. H., where he 
was employed in his profession till his removal to Manchester, N. H. He married 
Mary, daughter of Hon. Richard H. Ayer, of Hooksett, by whom he has one child, a 
daughter.
  Dr. Stephen Madison Gale, fifth son of Dr. Amos Gale, Jr., was born in Kingston, 
Oct. 20, 1809. He commenced the study of medicine with his brother E. B. Gale, in 
1834, studied one year with his brother L. B. Gale in Boston, and attended three 
courses of Medical Lectures in that place three years in succession, commencing in 
1834, and received his medical degree at Harvard University, 1837. He commenced 
practice in Derry, N. H., September following; and thence he removed to East 
Kingston, where he remained but a short time. He commenced practice in Lowell, 
Dec., 1838, and from that place he removed to Methuen, July, 1839, where he has 
been engaged in practice ever since. He was admitted a Fellow of the Massachusetts 
Medical Society, April 1839. He married Hannah W. Johnson of Portland, Me., 
March 28, 1843, by whom he has one daughter, Alice Bartlett.
  Though all the above physicians by the name of Gale have not been located as 
physicians in Kingston, yet, as they were all of one family, we have entered their 
names under the head of Kingston.
  There has been for about eighty years in Kingston a physician of the name of Gale, 
father, son, and grandsons. Very much the same may be said of the name of Bartlett. 
It is believed that no two families in our country have furnished more physicians 
than the Bartlett and Gale families of Kinston. Governor Bartlett had three sons 
eminent as physicians; namely, Josiah of Stratham, Levi of Kingston, and Ezra of
Haverhill, all members and officers of the Medical Society; and all political 
men, Ezra and Levi having been Judges of Courts, and Josiah a Member of Congress. 
Many of his grandsons are in the profession, one of whom, Dr. Josiah Bartlett 
of Stratham, is now President of the New Hampshire Medical Society.
  Dr. Thomas Bassett was born in Deerfield, N. H., Aug. 12, 1797. His father was a 
merchant in that town, and once traded in Atkinson; but in 1804 removed to 
Londonderry with his family, where he resided till his death. His mother's name was 
Susannah McGregore, a descendant of the Rev. James McGregore, who 
emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, and subsequently with [page 99]
a number of others, to America, and commenced a settlement in Londonderry. At 
the age of fifteen, Thomas commenced the studies preparatory to entering college, 
under the instruction of his uncle, Rev. David McGregore, who was then the settled 
minister in Bedford, N. H., and lived with him about three years; he then left and 
entered the Pinkerton Academy in Derry, under the tuition of Mr. Samuel 
Burnham, and continued there until the death of his father. At this time, finding 
himself destitute of pecuniary means he was forced to relinquish the idea of 
prosecuting further his collegiate studies, and resorted to school-keeping to 
obtain the object he then most desired, an education. After spending three years 
in this employment, he resolved to prepare for the medical profession; and, in 
1821, entered the office of Dr. George Farrar of Derry, as a student in medicine, 
where he remained till the fall of 1822, when he left, and entered the private class 
of Professors Mussey, Oliver and Dana, at Dartmouth College and continued with 
them until he had finished a regular course of medical instruction, and received 
the degree of Doctor in Medicine at the Commencement, in 1824. In March 
following, he established himself at Kingston, as a physician and surgeon, where 
he has resided, with the exception of a few months, to the present time, in the 
practice of his profession, in that place and the neighbonng towns.
  In 1828, he was married to Miranda Spofford, daughter of Samuel Spofford, and 
granddaughter of Major Jacob Peaslee of Kingston. In 1826 he was elected, and in 
1837, became a Fellow of the N. H. Medical Society, in which he has held the 
office of Censor and Counsellor. He has been honored with the office of Justice of 
the Peace, and has held the office of Brigade Major and Inspector in the first 
Brigade of New Hampshire militia.