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PR ES ENTAMTION

O F T}! E

  BARTLETT s'1*A*1*U'E.

T0 “".I‘I“IE

S STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS
JACOB R.HUNT1NGTc)N, ESQ.

UNVEILED AT AMESBURY, MASS,

JULY 4m, 

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Vnsws PUBLISHING co, PRINTERS,
NEWBURYPORT. A

PREFFKCE.

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The character of the event and the intense interest which has been
manifested in the u11x*ei1i11g of the Bartlett statue at A1neshL11'y,ju1y 4,
1:888, which was made 21 day of great moment not only to the innnediztte
vicinity but to the State, has led to the publication of this hook, believing
that :1 fitting report of the exercises of the ooczmsion should be preserved
in more tangible form than that furnislmed by 3. daily newspaper.»

The pages that follow are made up of the 1-eport of the NI£VJI3Ll'RYPOI{'1‘
DAILY News of‘]u1_V5, the day ztfter the unveiling, with revisions and
additions. VVe trust that this little volume rna_y prove interesting to all
who nmy secure it. and that it may he of value to hiSt01"£LS at 1’:;xitl1f‘u1
portrayal of 21 day which so honored one of the founders of" our nation.

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o h£J.W'.l~’L Square. Very respeett'ull_y, gentleman,

be Bartlett «Statue.

 

There now stands in manly bronze ,on one of the public squares of

Amesbury the statue of Josiah Bartlett, a native of Ameshur_y and one of

A $ u I I 1 c It
the signers of the Declaration of Independence. This statue IS the gift
of Jacob R. I~It111tirigt<>n, a retired ~«manufacturer of the <:ornmunit_V, who
desired to testify his love for the town in which he lived and respect for
an honored native and patriot.

Mr. I'“IL11‘1il1lI'lglIO1”1’S lirst tliotxglit of the statue occurred in the middle of
1887, when, in reading of the erection of a statue to yotzng Nathan Hale
of revolutionary t'z-tine, he conceived the idea of perpetuating the honored
name and mexnory of another hero of ’76, in whose history, heing an
Arnesbury man, he nztturally tool; much interest. Tolthinlt was to act
with him, as it had been in his whole life, and he imrnediately set al;)out
to further his unclertz-1l«;.in '

On June 30, 188'“, he addressed the following letter to the selectmen :

A.1VIESBUR‘Y, June 30, 1887.

To the Honorable Selectmen ofArnesbur_v: Gentlennen,———-~I have under
consideration the erection of a statue as a memorial to one of the distin-
guished men of the revolutionztry times, who was born in P.\1T1€3Sl)i.11‘_y.
And Irwrite to you, gentlemen, to know it you will set apart for that pure
pose the plot of ground at the head of Main street, and it’ it has no other
established name I should be pleased to have it known herealter as Spar-

J. R. HUNTINGTON.

The selectmen naturally entered into the project with true spirit, and
at their meeting, July 7, they took such action as the following letter
testifies: l " * -
% ANIES'I;3URY, M£tss., July 7, 1887.

At a meeting of the board of selectrnen, held July 7., I887, it was voted
to. appropriate and set apart the public square near the head of Main

6 UNVEILING or

street. Where the flacr-staff formerly stood. for the purpose of erecting a
public statue of one of the first citizens of the town.

Jacob R. Huntington, having signified his intention of erecting and
donating to the town a statue of the Hon. josiah Bartlett, a signer of the
Declaration of Independence, born in Arnesbury, if such statue could be
placed in Sparhawk Square, the selectmen hereby give assurance to Mr.
I-Iuntington that they will hold the said square as sacredly set apart and
devoted to the purpose of the erection of said statue and the carrying out
of the design of the generous donor, believing that the citizens of the town
will unanimously approve their action in setting apart this land for this
worthy and noble purpose, and we cheerfully assent to the” name, “ Spar-
hawk Square,” as suggested by the donor.

W. l-El. B. CURRIER,
"O. S. BALEY,
VVM. D. Low13:I.L,
Selectmen of Amesbury.

This was followed by another letter from Mr. Huntington as follows :

V , AMESBURY, Aug. 1, 1887.

To the Selectmen of Amesburv: Gentlemen,-—-For several years I
have had in mind the idea of beautifying some spot somewhere, and in
some way in this good town where the elements first opened my eyes and
gave me life. Not being able to do'so satisfactorily, I have decided to
erect a bronze statue of heroic size to one of the eminent and distinguished
men of our country, born in Amesbury in 1:729, Josiah Bartlett, a signer of
the Declaration of American Independence.

I write to you the above, gentlemen, that you may, if advisable, confer
with the proper authorities of our Village Improvement Society, who. I
have recently understood, propose laying out and beautifying the same
spot where this statue is to stand. Any information in regard to the
above, if required, I will cheerfully give. Respectfully, gentlemen,

J. R. HUNTINGTON.

Mr. Huntington imrnediately commenced on the furtherance of his
plan, which was soonwell under way. ,

The artist selected was young Karl Gerhardt of Irlartford, Conn., who
had won renown in his profession, and to him the commission was given.
He immediately set about ,his task. Mr. Huntington procured gar-
ments of 1°evolutionary times, such as Mr. Bartlett wore, and in order that
the face might be a perfect representation of the old hero, an oil painting,
by Trumbull was procured in Boston, which was valued so highly that it
was deposited in a bank vault at Hartford every day as Mr. Gerhardt
finished his labors. Wltll these two important helps the artist made good
headway, and day by day he worked on the model until it assumed the
massive proportion it now stands in. _

February 10, 1:888, Mr. Huntington received notice that the model
would be ready for his inspection on the 15th of that month, and accord»
ingly on the last date he went to Hartford, where he saw the statue as it

THE BARTLETT _STATUE. 7

stood in Mr. Gerhardt’s studio and pronounced it satisfactory to him. It
was soon after sent to the Ames Manufacturing Company’s works at
Chicopee, and there cast in bronze.

The two huge blocks of granite upon which the statue rests arrived in
town Monday,]une at, 1888, from the New York Monument Company,
and were hauled to their resting-place the next day and immediately put
in position. The statue was shipped June :25, I888, and arrived in Ames—
bury Tuesday, June 26, I888. This was also immediately hauled to Spar-
hawk square and placed upon the pedestal, assuming position Monday,
July 2, I888, Mr. Huntington personally superintending the work.

Believing that the unveiling of the statue of a man whose character was

national in its fame and influence should be of more than local irnport— .

ance, the committee to whom was entrusted the arrangements transmitted
the following letter to the Legislature of Massachusetts, it being brought
up in that body Thursday, May 3, 1:888, and was received without objec-
tion : S
A AMESBURY, May 2, 1888.

‘To His Excellency Oliver Arnes, Governor of the State of Massachusetts :

Dear Sir :—It is our pleasant duty, by the appointment of the committee
in charge, to ask the acceptance by the State of Massachusetts of a suit»
able bronze statue of Governor Josiah Bartlett, for which the town of
Amesbury has provided land, and J. R. Huntington the funds for its com-
pletion. It is desired that the State will, from the munilicent donor, on
the Fourth ofjuly, I888, receive, dedicate and forever preserve this :me1no-
rial ofthe first signer of the Declaration of Independence. erected at his
birthplace. Every patriotic citizen of the nation can unite in paying
honor to those immortal signers of the greatest act of man, the magma
charta of our liberties.

The lapse of time, the vast increase in wealth and population, empha-
size the need of constant instruction to our youth regarding the principles,
achievements and character of these illustrious founders of the nation.
For this reason We ask oliicial recognition by the State that, through your
excellemzy, the President of the United States and his cabinet and the
Governors of the respective States he invited, as the guests of the Com-
monwealth. to be present at Amesbury at the unveiling of the statue on
the ensuing Independence Day. a
S E. Moonv BOYNTON,
PICIRACE G. LESLIE, M. 1).,
RICl~iARI) Ii‘. Barons,

‘W. H. B. CURRIER,
JOHN C. R1s'rt:aN.

On Tuesday, May 15, 1888, the committee on federal relations reported
a bill in relation to the affair, authorizing the Governor to invite the Pres-
ident and his cabinet, the Governors of the New England States and their
staffs to be present and to provide suitable military escort for the occa-

8 UNVEILING or

sion. This orderwas adopted under a suspension of the rules and the
sum of $5,000 was appropriated to defray the expenses of the day.

As the day of national independence approached in I888. the date ap-
pointed for the unveiling of the statue, the citizens of Amesbury com-
menced to bestir themselves arranging for the proper observance of‘ the

event. Several enthusiastic meetings were held, as a result of which the

following committees were appointed: ,
Executive Committee—VV. W’. Smart, W. ‘W. Hawkes. W. E. Biddle.
On caring for State guests-——Charles Goss, J. C. Risteen.

Carriages for invited guests-—W‘. VV. Hawkes, john S. Poyen.

To solicit rnoney——-F. A. Babcock, W. E. Biddle, j. F. Johnson, N. E.
Collins and john Hassett.

On invitations--—H. G. Leslie, George H. Morrill, George E. Batchelder.

On decorating-—~—-D. M. French, E. C. Gilrnan, G. E. Gale.

Committee—at-large on soliciting money-—-—~T. D. Nelson, Mrs. C. F.
Hovey, Mrs. C. W. Long and Mrs. B. F. Lewis. ,

On seats at the unveilingw-J. C. Risteen, VV. VV. Smart, W’. W. Hawkes,
W. E. Biddle, George Osgood.

Music—-—-—C. A. Nason, Enoch Dresser and Will L. Brown.

Seats and stands-———Emmons H. Babb and G. Dennis.

On arches—-J. F‘. Johnson, George H. Morrill.

On illuminating Market Square»--Porter Sargent.

Dining invited guests-—--C. F. Worthen, C. W. Currier.

On sports'———-H.  Quinn, W.  Murph_v, "W. H. Lyon.

These various bodies immediately commenced work and slowly the
plans for the day were formulated, and as reported they proved Very ac-
ceptable to the town and the donor of the statue.

The Tuesday night before the Fourth gave excellent promise of what
the day might be. Great crowds thronged the streets, and as usual the
small boy was ever-“v*‘wl1e1'e firing his fire cracker and torpedo.

Every new arrival in the town was greeted with the noise of the ap-
proaching celebration, and at the station of the Boston 8: Maine railroad
the crowd was so great as to almost prevent the passengers from debark-
ing. When Chandler’s band, which was to furnish the music for the
next day, and Battery C, which was to give a salute, arrived in town an
immense throng greeted them and accompanied them to their headquar-
ters. » . '

In the evening the band marched to the residence of J. R. Huntington,

the donor of the statue, and serenaded that gentleman and Karl Gerharclt,
the sculptor, who was a guest there. All night the sounds of the celebra-

tion were heard on every hand and the town was alive at an early hour.

‘THE BARTLETT STATUE. 

The day dawned clear and beautiful. In the early morning the guns of
Battery C of Lawrence, which were located on Oak street, gave notice of
the ushering in of the day, and as their reverberations echoed along the
Merrirnac valley it put an end to all sleep in Ainesbury. The whole town
woke up together and was soonon the streets. The first car from New-

buryport arrived at Ainesbury at 5 o’clock, bringing a fair complement of

passengers, and this was followed every half-hour through the early

Trnorning hours until it seemed as if Newburyport had emptied itself into

its neighbor community. The main object of interest in the early rnorn~
ing was the parade of antiques and horribles, which formed at 5.20 on
Sparhawk street and started at 6.

The procession was not what might be called a success in point of
length, but the features, few though they were, were quite good.

The line was headed by David Ellis as chief marshal, H. J. Qiinn, aid,
as “The Only Mike Kelly,” and Will J. Murphy, aid, as a clown, and the
Newburyport Cadet Band. _

An imitation horse car labeled “Amesbury and Newburyport, No. 10,
Saturday night late car,” was filled with counterparts of the usual crowd
ofinebriates on that trip, who had a great array ofjugs, bottles, etc.

Following this came a wagon covered with burlesques on the modern
patent medicine advertisements.

The next feature was a general combination representing the carriage
industry. It bore as mottoes the following: On a large sign on the front
were the words, “F. A. Bab’k 8: Co., established 1886; resumed business
April 9, ”88; temporarily located belpw.” On an old dilapidated sewing
machine was the motto, “Our book keeper has skipped.” A rather crude
affair represented the Pulsion telephone with the words, “Par value of
shares, $2.50.” At therear of the team was situated the Powow Bank,
with the motto, “Powow Bank; because our draftsmen are here.” Sus-
pended from the side of the wagon was the sign, “Carriage men’s business
push after the great fire and reasons why they did not go VVest.” A large
sign on the front contained the following inscription: “Notice—-—VVhere-
as the impression has gone forth that the carriage interests of the place‘
were crippled by the little bonfire with which Amesbury celebrated last
Fast night, we issue this circular to inform our patrons that all orders will
be shipped by telegraph, Ameshury Carriage Association.” A sign bore
the words, “Human C’ge Company, burned out April 5, ’88; resumed

business April 6, ’88.” Industriously scraping a wagon seat was a female,

while affixzed to the seat was a placard with the inscription, “Because our
female labor is cheap.” A small forge bore the words, “Because we have
2 ,

IO UNVEIITING OF

natural gas,” while attached to an anvil were thewords, “Because we
are wedded together.” _
Two satires on the Amesbury lockup followed. The first was an un-

, gainly building through the grated window of which peeped the criminals

(P), and in front were chained two pups representing the unlicensed dogs
of the town. The mottoes were: “Amesbury lockup,” “Leased for a

term of I00 years at $12 per year.” “Pound for unlicensed dogs,” “Special.
cards.” A policeman accompanied the vehicle and an old-fashioned .

bobby drove another grotesque “Amesbury lockup” behind, consisting of
an outhouse on wheels. ’

Two old-fashioned sports in a buggy of 1814 ‘followed, and behind them
came a wagon trimmed with shields, occupied by a party of nondescripts.
The mottoes displayed were “ Cow boy from Texas,” *‘ Rum and peanuts.”
“The police are not looking after the town, only rum.” “We are not
looking out for the town, only after the police.” “ Police, keep your eyes
opened and drink Arum.” “ Fill them up again, Jeri-y.” “ More hose for
the fire‘ department.” “Vote "for Cleveland and Thurman.” “ Sports of
Amesbury.” “ No license, but we get it just the same.” “ We. are solid
Democrats.” “Police, keep your mouth shut.” "'W. C. T. U. spotters.”

The wind-up of the line was a burlesque baby carriage drawn by a fat
old couple and occupied by a baby, the motto of which was “ VVe lost our
only child when Amesbury and Salisbury was divided.”

Through the procession were scattered Indians, Uncle Sams, etc.

The line of march was as follows: Through Highland to Greenwood,
Main, Market square, Elm, Congress, Cushing, Albion, Spring, Elm,
Market square, Friend; countermarch at Wliitehall to Pond, through
Winter, Prospect, to Market square, where the procession was disbanded.

At Huntington square the judges, Porter Sargent, Dr. H. G. Leslie and
John S. Poyen, viewed the features and took into consideration their
merits. They decided as follows :

For the best and most elaborate feature, $30, to E. R. Briggs, the turn-
out being the burnt district. ”

For the next best, $20, to J. Mahoney, “The Saturday Night Car.”

For the third best, $10, to J. Mahoney, the largest Amesbury lockup.
For the fourth best, $5, to Thomas Coffin, largest family in town. i
For the best individual feature, $10, to Charles Diggio, “Uncle Sam.”
For next best, $5, to Charles Fogg, '‘ Mexican Cowboy.”

The military and civic procession was one of the most interesting feat-
ures of the day. It was made up of the Eighth Regiment acting as escort

THE BARTLETT STATUE. II

to the lieutenant—governor and the governor’s stafi”, invited guests, Grand
Army veterans, secret orders and organizations, and in its entirety was a
 ‘ most interesting and royal sight.

It formed at the head of Main street in the
forenoon hours, and at II.o5 the Eighth Regi-
ment arrived in town, having been delayed, and
marched directly to the head of the line.

The crowd of sight-seers was immense. ~ The
sidewalks were lined with people, and every
point for viewing the great procession to advan-
tage was appropriated. The spectacle was grand
and inspiring. The glitter of helmets and bayo-
 nets, the purple chapeaus of the Militants, the

waving banners and the attitude of the eager,
. expectant throng, all combined to make a scene
long to be remembered by those who were for-
_ tunate enough to witness it. At II.2o the pro-
GEORGE w, 0590013, cession, under the leadership of Chief 'lVIarsha‘l

Chief 1\Tar-“»hal- Geo. W. Osgood, moved in the following order:

Mounted police, Chief Tabor, Officers Bullock, Packard and Moulton.
Platoon of police, Oflicers Gowen. Kingsbury, Todd and Cromwell.
, Chief‘ Marshal, G. W. Osgood.
Assistant marshals, William E. Biddle, F. A. Babcock.
Chief of Staff, Enoch O. Dresser.

Aids, Colonel C. L. Ayers. J. S. Poyen, Dr. J.  Adams, Henry 0. Dear-
born, Colonel E. R. Fowler, Albert R. Sargent, A. P. Massey, Ed-—
ward Rowell, jr.,]. Larner, Robert Drurnmond, _[r., Dr. J. H. O’Toole.,
Fred W. Nelson, H. R. Weitzel, Manley W. McClure, C. A. N.yson,
William C. Lyman.

FIRST DIVISION.

Drum Major Millett.
Eighth Regiment Band.

Eighth Regiment, M. V. M., Colonel F. A. Osgood, Lieutenant-Col. J.
Albert Mills, Major George A. Copeland, Major Charles L. Dodge,
Major W. M. Ward, Adjutant Edward A. Poyen, Q_narter1naster Fred
I. Clayton, Surgeon F. C. I-Iersey, Assistant Surgeon C. W. Galloupe,
Paymaster john G. Warner, Inspector Rifle Practice William G.
Hussey, Chaplain G. C. Osgood, Sergeant-Major Percy L. Dame,
Hospital Steward G. A. D. Stickney.

Co. I,. Captain E. T. Brackett, Lieutenants James F. Pool, George M. Holt.
Co. C Captain J. K. Beede, Lieutenants William B. Potter, Wallace P.
l\’.[alcolm.

Co. H, Captain H. F. Staples, Lieutenants Charles 8. Pope, ‘Wallace
E. Batchelder.

Co. L, Captain Andrew Reeves, Lieutenants George L. ‘Wei1, Frank A.
Warren.

I2 UNVEILING OF

Co. E, Captain VV. E. Perry, Iéientenajnts Lucius H. Perry, (isgood A.

‘ . ' Orton, 1*.

Co. G, Captain W. A. Pew, Jr., Lieutenants Richard P. O’l-ieilly,

Vvilliam J. Crowley. J

Carriages containing Lieutenant Governor Brackett, Adjutant General

Dalton, Adjutant General Shepherd, J. R. Huntington.

Colonel George VV. Johnson, of the Governor’s Council, Brookfield;

- Colonel A. G. Shepherd, of the Governor’s Staff, Lynn; Colonel
Rockwood Hoar, of the Governor’s Staff, Worcester; Mr. W". H. B.
Currier, Chairman of Selectmen, Amesbury.

Mr E. Moody Boynton, president of the day; Colonel E. M. McPherson,
of the Governor’s Council; Colonel A. L. Newman, of the Govern-
or’s Stafi’; Colonel E. E. Currier, Assistant Inspector General.

Sheriff Herrick, ot’Essex county; Colonel E. A. Morse, of’ Canton, of the
Governor’s Council; Colonel S.  Menard, Assistant Qgartermaster
General; Colonel J. W. Bennett, Lowell, Assistant Adjutant General.

Senator J. 1). Pike, Merrimac; A. C. Hardy, Concord, N. H.; Charles

Goss, Amesbury; J. C. Risteen, Board of Trade.

Dr. Bancroft, Principal of Phillips Academy. Andover; Professor J. VV.
Churchill (who read VVhittier’s poem), Charles Eastman, Everett E.
Eastman. .

Co. K, Captain VVilliam H. Dunney, Lieutenants Horace E. Dnrgin,

Wllllalll H. Tweed.
Co. A, Captain E. E. Towne, Lientenants Charles W. Adams, Edgar .C.

‘Tyler.
Co. D‘, Captain E. H. Smith, Lieutenants Freeman l\/Iurray, Henry B.
J . Goodridge. _
Co. M, Captain A. VV. Pitman, Lieutenants Warren  Robinson, S. T.
Kirk

Co. B, Captain E. VV. M. Bailey, Lieutlenants John J. Prevaux, Joseph E.
‘ Blake

Co. F, Captain B. H. Jellison, Lieutenants Charles P. Damon, George H.
Page. ‘ . «
Battery C, Lawrence, Captain Lawrence N. Duchesney.
Carriages containing representatives of the Legislature.
Ten carriages containing the descendants of Josiah Bartlett.
S. M. Bartlett, Miss Agnes Bartlett, Miss Sadie A. Bartlett, C. A. Bart-
lett, Washington.

Josiah Bartlett, New York; Josiah Calef Bartlett, Josiah Calef Bartlett,
Jr., Taunton; Edward T. Bartlett, Charles H. Bartlett, New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Bartlett and daughter. Kingston, N. H.; George E.

_ Gale, Board of Trade.
Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Holt, Lexington; Mr. and Mrs. ‘W. C. Benson,
_ Haverhill.

Miss S. H. Eastman, Hampton, N. H.; Walton Eastman, Kingsbury, N.
H.; Mrs. Mary B. Rollins, Dover, N. H.; David Rollins, Pittsfield.
George A. Gale, New York; Mrs. Dr. Gale, Newburyport; H.  Lun-
bert, Haverhill.

Erving A. Walsh, Concord, N. H., Principal of the New Hampshire‘

medical society; Hon. J. C. Eastman, M. D., Hampsteacl, N. H.
C. E. Greeley, Geo. F. Greeley, Charle C. Greeley, Raymond, N. H.

"1‘I~I'li. ‘B.?\RT‘LE'1“l’.‘ ’s"*‘rA'rU1’2. I 3

Dr. D. F. Merrill and wife, Prof. H. G. Dowe, East Iiiiigston.
J. L. ‘Greeley, Lynn; Miss H. E. Greeley, Chelsea.
1VIrs. Prescot Bradley‘, Miss Myra G. Bradley, I-Ia‘ve1-hill; Miss Helen 8-.
Wells, Newton; Selectmen of South Hampton, Fred B. French, Fred
1\’I. ewell.
Mrs. H.JF. Gale. lVIethuen; Mrs. C. VV. Boynton and family (four chil-
dren), VVest Newbury; R. S. White, wife and son, Franklin, Wass.

‘SECOND DIVISION.
Chief Marsl1al—--—Vw7illiam E. Biddle. _
.Aids——-Edward Rowell, Jr., Dr. J.  Adams, Henry Dearborn, Dr. J. H.
O’T0ole, Gec>r§,‘e N. Janvrin. A

 P. ‘Wallace Post. G. A. R., of Amesbury, in charge of ‘Senior Vice
Commander Herbert Maycock and Adjutant Charles E. Kennard-~—~
44 men. . .

G. A. R. men from Lowell, l~-Iaverhill and Newbuiyport.

E. R. Madge Post. l\l‘e1‘1-i1'x‘1ac:—-:24men-———Bailey Sax-gent, commander.
General -Patten Post, Kingston--——8 1nen——-—-Senior Vice Cormnander J. A.
Blaisdell.

Car1~iages containing Colonel Beals. a veteran of the Me.\:ican war; Rev.
1). VV. Davis. Frank Cloyd, F. D. Parry, and Charles Martin of
Georgetown. a veteran of three wars.

Chariot driven by John F‘aic:hne_y, appropriately decorated, bearing the

' Goddess of Liberty, impersonated by Mrs. Nathan \Vir11g.
TIIIR1) DIVISION.
Chief‘ 1\’.[arshal~—-——l}"‘. A. Baboock.
Aids - A. P. Masse_y, Albert R. Sargent.
Newhuryport Cadet Band.
Millett’s Druin Corps.
Third Battalion, Fourth Regiment Patriarchs Militant, Department of the
East, Major J. F. .Milla cominanding. A

Lieutenant Colonel J. N. Ellsworth, Haverhill, Brigade Stirgeon Dr. F.
I-I. Allen ofI'~Iaverhi1l; SL1:-geon VV. S. Gale ofNe‘wivur_ypo1*t, Serg'eant
Major Emerson, Adjutant Samuel  Ford of N@\\’bL.2l'_$’p0I‘t, Captain
"W. G. VVaite of NeWbL11'_yport, special aid on General Larl<.in’s staff;
Captain George G. Osgood, special aid on General Cushman’s staff,

Grand Canton Eagle of Haverliill, 32 men, Captain Commandant G. A.

Follansbee, Captain "Warren Rowe, Ensign C. A. Senter.

Canton Harmon_y, No. 47, of Newburyport, 32. men. Captain C. H
deRoc:hernent, Lieutenant John 8. Frost, Ensifgn Joseph 8. Smart.
Carriages containing invited gtzests-~—I{z11*l Gerhardt, sculptor of the

’ ‘ statue.

E. Ripley Sibley, Nathan VVells, William D. Lowell and O. S. Bailey, se-
lectmen; Hon. Albert Currier, Newbur_ypo1't; Geozgge N. I-"Ion, Athol;
G. W’. Marden of Ameshury and Selectmen Philbrool< and Lawrence
of East Kixigston. and C. E. Rowell of lV‘Ierrirnao; Professor lvlarshall
of Tufts College; President Bartlett of Dartmouth College; Dr.
George B. Loring of Salem. Robert Treat Paine, Jud5_3;e George \V.

‘ Cate; Hiram VValker, Seleotrnen Hill and Daniel Ewtxis and J. W’.

A ’ Brown ofKensington; H. P. Vvells, Amesbur_y, and Selectmen C. E.
Cilley,  P. Stickney, and Tliotnas Elkin of Kingston.

3:4 UNVEILING 05*

Carriages containing the Newburyport City Government——-Mayor Titcomb,
Aldermen Howe, Hale, Putnam, Houston and Pettigrew, President
of Council Gurney and City Clerk Stevens. '

Selectmen of Salisbury--——'Wesley Pettingill, J. M. Eaton, J. Q; Evans and

Charles Wing of the Arnesbury Board of Trade.
Selectrnen of West Newbury-—--“Captain Richard Newell, O. ‘W. Ordway,
Joseph W'a.~tson.
Selectmen of Seabrook--William. H. VValton, Frank Locke, William N.
_ Ames, Board of Trade.

The procession was late in starting, owing; to the non-arrival of the
regiment, and it was not until I 1.20 that it moved over the following route :
Bartlett’s corner, to Highland, Friend, Main, Elm, Congress, Colchester,
Spring, Elm, Market, countermarch to Main, thence to Huntington
square where it was disbanded. Inimediately after the procession had
ended the unveiling of the statue took place. ,

The procession was greeted with much enthusiasm along the line of’
march and many of its movements were frequently applauded. The
heat was intense and many of those marching suffered extremely.

At the stand around the monument an immense throng was assembled,
where at about 1.30 the ‘procession reached the spot. After the invited
guests were seated, theexercises were opened by the president of the day,
Eben Moody Boynton, who made an eloquent and forcible address,
treating in glowing terms the character of the man
they had met to honor. He said:

Ladies and Gentlemen : In behalf of the citizens
of Amesbury and the people of Massachusetts, it
is my grateful duty, as chairman, to welcome the
Governor and Legislature of Massachusetts to the
birthplace of Josiah Bartlett.

Two million citizens of Massachusetts speak
through you. The State government has by your
V, unanimous consent invited the President of the
 United States and the Governors of adjacent States
to join in dedicating this monument and unveiling
the colossal statue erected by private patriotism,
and we rejoice that the commonwealth is this day

E, Moom; BoyNToN, to receive and guard this sacred treasure for all
President 01' thc Day-' succeeding generations. T

The military and civic display and the uncounted thousands here pres-

ent are worthy of the time, place, and the occasion. ‘We are proud to

welcome the high ofiicials of neighboring States, who are here as guests.

of the commonwealth. Gratefully we welcome the descendants of Josiah

THE BARTLETT ‘STATUE. I5’

Bartlett, the governor and members of the Legislature and other distin-
guished guests of the town of Amesbut-_y. I

This day is notable in the State and nation, this event is the greatest in
the history of Ainesbury. Let us give the day to patriotic joy and honor
to the founders of our country, remembering that no words can do justice
to any ol them. In tracing the character ofjosiah Bartlett, the orator
and those who follow him will unveil one of the simplest and greatest
men, most usefui to his race, most varied in his achievements, of the
great men of the eventful times in which he lived. As a scholar, ph_vsi-
cian, most eminent of his age; as a legislator, jurist, organizer and gov»
ernor of a State, and the first to o.fl‘er his life a willing sacrifice upon the
scaffold; as first signer of the’Declaration of Independence he is eminent
among men whom Massachusetts shall hold in her heart forever.

This monument and the fame of Bartlett will remain a legacy to ever’
citizen of the great republic of which he was a founder, and the distin-
guished citizens from every State in the Union who have come to pay
tribute here are welcome to our hearts and homes and to a part of the
ceremoniesof this occasion, which is theirs as much as ours.

We celebrate this day the epoch of the ages, consecrated by the Declar-
ation of American Independence, the boldest, grandest, most successful
act of man. V T

Until July 4, I776, the evolution of an eternity past found slavery the
normal condition of inankind, the divine right of kings still triumphant.
From that proclamation of the uncrovvned heralds of human progress,
who Signed our immortal charter, a future eternity of justice, liberty and
equality unfolds until justice shall be enthroned, and all nations shall
be one. g ,

Until then, history was a "record of futile endeavor, deferred hopes,
broken hearts, of government by force, not by choice. Succeeding waves
of civilization broke and receded in darkness; prophets Ofl1Ll111E1I‘l.E.‘qL1£llllC_)’
like Samuel re1uctantl_v established monarchy; oh, the longing for equa-lit_y
in the hearts of men who died in unavailing strife, in battle or upon the
scaffold; oh. misled peoples murdering Socrates and crucifyinig Christ!

The signers proclaimed. as self-evident truth, that all men are created
free and equal. Ah! when did they ever secure it except in loneliness
and desolation, like Elijah in the Wilderness? “We are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent! ”

These words of defiance were uttered by the rebellious representatives
of a few feeble colonies on this Atlantic coast, who, without powder mills
or arms factory, wealth, credit or national recognition, proclaimed their
independence of a monarch whose fleets ruled the ocean, whose sceptre

I6 UNV’E‘I’LING er“

of dominion‘ extended» to the Indies, and grasped alike the fortresses and
headlands of the islands and "the continents of both hemispheres. No»
wonder the richer'Torie's« of Boston, New York. and Philadelphia turned in
terror from the disloyal madcaps, pitying the foolhardiness that“was soon
to perish on the scafi'old of England’s power.
“Ah 1 men are discreet and wise,
It is so easy to pause and wait;
_But here were men who set their feet
Sometimes in advance of fate.”

Yet was not this proclamation the consummate flower of British liberty,

the outgrowth of Magna Charta, of that principle ofindependence that shall '

fret unite all English-speaking nations in our age to emancipate mankind?

Around us here are 250 years of glorious history; the century that pre-
ceded our revolution was a preparatory school of incessant conflict and
successful achievement. We gave this continent to the British crown,
and it is ours by conquest and birthright.

Our dimly chartered colonial liberty blossomed into independence on
this day, but our town meetings and our general courts, our colonial
league against France, and that successful issue prepared the soil from
which the republic was founded. The day of liberty is dawning. This
rnorning’s sun, from Maine to San Francisco, saw the 1‘ecedir1§_2; stars of
darkness set and day stars rise ‘anew in our flag, whose crimson folds
seem reflected from the skies. The very birds saiig independence; a hund-
red thousand bells proclaimed liberty, and unrnuzzled cannon linked their
deep~toned reverberations across a continent.

VVe celebrate to—day the 112th anniversary of independence, but not for
this alone do we honor Bartlett. p

One hundred years ago, on June 2t, 1788,, his personal influence turned

the scale and secured the adoption by New I-Iampshire-—~the ninth state

necessary to save the constitutional liberty in our new country.

Massachusetts and Maine in I780 were valued atibut $II.000,ooo. The
valuation ofArnerica was less than one of the estates of several untitled
American citizens who celebrate this day in a land owned by 7,000,000 free-~
holders, each citizen a king. _

iOur population exceeds sixty millions, our estimated wealth is sixty
thousand million dollars.

Grown twenty-fold, our population will, at our next centennial, exceed
the population of Europe, and should the continent unite, may reach five
hundred millions of people, giving law, liberty, peace and fraternity to all
nations. This will be Bartlett’s monument. If the first century ofliberty
here has added more to human progress and happiness than all the

THE BARTLETT STATUE. I7

previous history of man, what mind can grasp the future or sufliciently
extol the era of national independence.

Bartlett, in his modesty, veiled the fact that in many lines of achieve-
ment he was pre—eminent among men. Self-educated in lonely poverty
and self-discipline, his greatness was later recognized and crowned with
university honors.

At 25 he was the most eminent physician of his time, introducing first
in the United States quinine and the modern treatment of fevers.

Perhaps from his home beyond the clouds Bartlett and his glorious as-
sociates of the revolution may be permitted conscious presence with-us,
to welcome us at this hallowed spot where he studied the great lessons
his life illustrated. We listen, like the shepherd of Bethlehem, to hear
the triumph song of our immortals of peace and good will to men. 0
shining ones, your work is moving on with ever-increasing vigor, and the
next song, not alone on judean hills to lonely shepard in the darkness,
but in noontide glory to all the inhabitants of earth,the music shall re-
sound from earth to heaven. peace and good will has come to men. and
the new heavens and the new earth shall be complete. ‘We are yet in the
first century of our constitutional liberty, the twilight of man’s independ-
ence, yet the rays of morning gild our mountain heigl‘1ts of freedorn. Its
noontide splendor, who can tell? What uncounted millions shall rejoice
in the sun of American liberty when all clouds have passed away? l.’*‘orty
centuries of Egyptian darkness obscure the pyramids; forty centuries of
light and liberty will shine from this statue of Josiah Bartlett. Speak,
patriotic lips, and tell us of those centuries to come! ‘What inventions,
what brightening glories shall the ages yet reveal, when the pilgrims
from all nations throng to pay tribute at your feet with tears of gratitude?
Then free ballots, free presses, free scghools, free pulpits, and free hearts
and homes, shall complete the circuit of the earth and Christ shall reign
in man. i

This was followed by a prayer ofiiered by Rev. A. C. ‘White of the
Universalist church of Arnesbury.g

Almighty God, and Father of Nations, on this anniversary of our
national independence, we join our hearts in thanksgiving for our preser-
vation hitherto. VVe thank thee for our unalienable rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness; we thanl: thee for the moral courage that
inspired our fathers to pleclge their lives, their fortune and their sacred
honor to the maintenance of their rights; we thank. thee for the mighty
and far-seeing results of that heroic pledge in the preservation of our
domestic institutions, in the indictment ofa constitution that has guarded
our liberties, and in the fostering of a patriotism that has made our union

3

IS r UNVEILING or

of States indissoluble; we thank thee for the men of brawn and large
souls that withstood the tyrant, and conquered the avarice, the despotism
and the divine rights of kings; for intelligence and wisdom of the great
men whom thou didst call to keep inviolate our rights and make humane
our laws; we thank thee for the heneficent effect \v1~oL1gl'1t by the recogni-
tion of that eternal law that all the nations are of one blood, and free and
equal; we thank thee for the spirit of toleration that it has kindled, for
the Samaritan homes that it has reared, and for the sacred hearthstones it
has brightened; we thank thee for the sense of justice that it has created
to make our mothers, our Wives, and our dat1gl1te1*s free; for the hopes
that it has inspired in the sad hearts of the erring and Linlbrtunate, and
for the noble philanthropy that it has stirred in the hearts of the rich; We
thank thee for our schools and for churches; for all our social and reli-
gious privileges, holding all in freedom of conscience where none molest
or make afraid. Thou eternal God of righteousness, we thank thee for
our nation, and for the noble flag whose every symbol of‘ stripe and star,
drawn from the eternal sky, wins ourutter and at7fectionate allegiance.
And now, Father, what shall we ask of thee? Shall we not rather say:

Give to thy servant an understanding heart to judge, and to discourse
' between good and evil? Or if thy wisdom hath bestowed riches, teach us

to value them as a sacred opportunity to bless our t‘ellow—rne:n; rnay the
lessons of this joyful hour awaken our love of country, our devotion to
the truth and our honor of benevolence.  We draw the veil from this
statue of a noble patriot, may we share the pride of his descendants, and
be truly grateful to the beneficent giver of this instructive gift. As from

day to day we look with admiration upon the brave and earnest features.

traced in enduring bronze, may resolution spring God-born in our hearts
to preserve the independence and defend the liberties which the name of
this patriot hero was once pledged to protect. Make us a nation of

strength. Let not our national security depend upon standing armies and p

unassail-able fortresses. Let foreign powers respect us for our mission,
and let our virtues b-e the wall of our impregnable protection ofa nation’s
integrity, its humanity and its moral character. Give wisdom, we pray
thee, to all the rulers of our land. Guide in counsel and sustain in moral
courage the President of these United States. Bestow health and favor
and peace upon the honored executive of this great commonwealtli. Be
gracious unto us as citizens; bless our town and all the oficers that serve
us; protect our homes and all our domestic interests. Let tliy kingdom

‘come and thy will be done in all our lives; let all the ends we aim at be

our country’s, our God’s and Truth’s. And unto thee, eternal guardian
of our lives, we will ascribe all honor and give honest praise. Amen.

THE B:\RTI.E'1"].‘ STATUE. I9

The Declaration-oi‘ Independence was then read by Professor J. P.
Marshall ofTut'ts College. Then occurred the all—important event of the
day, when by the act of a little boy, john S. Poyen, J12, the grandson of
the generous donor of the statue, the flag covering; the figure was removed
and there in all its g1*z1x1cleL11' and be-aut_y-' stood the enduring bronze, a
fitting testimonial to one of Amesl)ury’s honored sons. After a salute
being given by Battery C and a musical selection by Chandler’s Band, the
donor of the statute,  R. Huntington, Esq., was called upon and in pre-
senting his princgzely gift to the State said:

Mr. President, Fellow-Citizens, Visitors. Ladies and Gentlemen---VVith a
heart full of love and veneration for iny native town, with gratitude and
great respect for all the people who live in the ggooci town of Amesbury,
with the benediction ofthe elements resting upon all those who have gone
before us, with cheer and hope for all those who shall come after us,
cheerfully I bequeath to you, and especiall_y to the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and to all his countryn;1en, this statue 1‘e})1'ese11tin§;‘ one of
the si§gne1*s of the Declaration of Independence, one of the founders of this
grand republic, patriot, scholar, statesman. A man who, l)_y devotion to
principle, by sterlilng; integrity, by love of’ liberty, and by rare schola1*ship,
together with his compatriots, made it possible for us to enjoy the bless-
ings, the honors, the glc>x'y and the libe1'ty of this day and hour. Ladies
and gentlemen, no man in this xfzsist assembly regrets more than I that the
Governor of this Commonwealth is detained f'ro1n p:11'ticipz'1ti1*1g in these

exercises by reason of severe illness, but his representative is here, and I

through him, and by and th1*oLigli the loyal and good Governor to our
Commonwealth, I have only to say, take it, Massa.c1msetts, take it; pre-
serve and protect it, that it may  down as a memento of libert_v to all
generations to come. Mr. President, I cannot close without speziltiiig a
word for a dear friend of mine. In that mute bronze, so skilftilly wrouglit
by the artistls hand, I catch almost a gliirlpse of the living man. Mr.
President, for me. from nay standpoint at this moment, silence is more
eloquent than any words I can now command. I thank you.

Owing to the illness of Governor Ames it was impossible for him to
be present; but, in his stead, the statue was accepted by the Lientenant—‘
Governor, Iwion. J.  A. Bracl~;ett, who, in acceptixig the gift, :1})c)lc,>g'ized
for the non-appearance of Governor Aines, and said that his excellency
had taken a great interest in the project and intended to personally take
part in the ceremonies. Isle said:

The Coininonwealth has already sigxiiiied its acceptance of the statue
of which we have met to dedicate. This was done on the 23d day of
May last, by which provision was also made for suitable dedicatory exer-

20 UNVEILING OF

cises, and for the State’s participation therein. In this action the Gov-
ernor heartily concurred. He has taken a deep interest in this event, and
intended personally to take part in its ceremonies. There would have
been a special appropriateness in his attendance, inasmuch as the last
official position held by the statesman whose mernory we honor today
was that of governor of a sister State. Severe illness, however, to the
regret of all, depriving both him and you of the pleasure of his presence,
the duty devolves upon me of bringing you his salutations and in per-

'formance of the resolve of the Legislature of‘ accepting in the State’s

behalf this munificent gift. There is something peculiarly pertinent in
the presentation to a State of an enduring memorial of a public man. It
symbolizes the idea that he who enters the public service, if actuated by
pure and exalted purpose, thereby gives liimselt‘ to the State. His life,
his energies, his powers, the faculties of his mind and the emotions of
his heart, become devotedto it. ,They are a part of his property. He is
thereafter its servant. His career becomes a part of his country’s history.
A due sense of this relation to the public is always felt by the true states-
man. The determination properly to meet the requirements of that rela-
tion serves as his rule of action. History assures us that it was the rule
of action of Josiah Bartlett.‘ It by no means lessens our interest in this
occasion that the public services of Governor Bartlett were rendered, not
to Massachusetts but to an adjoining State. He was the gift of Massa-
chusetts to New Hampshire. That donation has many times been requited
by New I-larnpshire. It was requited when she gave us Daniel Vvebster,
and again when she gave us Henry VVilson. It has been requited by the
gift of legions of‘ other men who, in less conspicuous spheres, have served
Massachusetts in ofiicial stations. or have adorned the walks of private
life, and contributed to the material development of the State. There is
no natural boundary between Massachusetts and New Irlampshire. They
are separated only by an imaginary line, and it makes but little diiierence
upon which side of that line an illustrious man may live. In either case
he is an American and New Englander, and as Americans and New Elig-
landers we have a common right to share in honoring his memory. It is
not for me to dwell upon the c'haracter of‘ Josiah Bartlett, or to enumerate
those patriotic services by which he made his country his debtor.- He
enjoyed the honorable distinction of being the first member of the Conti-
nental Congress to vote for, and the first after the president of that his-
toric body. john Hancock, to sign his name to that immortal declaration
which made us a nation. The citizens of Amesbury have a just cause
for civic pride in the fact that his birthplace was within their municipal
limits. They honor themselves in seeking to perpetuate his fame and in

"’l."'I3i I41 BA RTI. E'T"I‘ ‘STA TU'E . Tl“

«calling into requisition for the purpose the voices of orators and the pen
of the poet whose residence in Amesbury has made the name of the town
familial‘ throughout the civilized world. And the generous donor of this
statue, in contributing from the rewards which his enterprises and sagacity
have justly earned him to the erection of this memorial, which will be a
‘lasting ornament to the town, and which will keep alive in the hearts of
‘the people of the p1‘€:sL":nt and future generations the memory of one of
the founders of the republic, has furnisihed an ex.arnple of patriotism and
“public spirit which may wisely be emulated by men of fortune in other
places and other towns, and which will never fail to receive the recogni-
tion and the commendation of the Commonwealth. ,

Following the unveiling and acceptance of the-statue came the oration
rOf Hon. Robert T. Davis of Fall River, which was a masterly etlbrt, and
was listened to interestedl_y by the large audience He said:

Fellow Citizens-———In the presence of the Governor and executive councii
voflthe Commonwealth, of the Governor and other public otiicers of New
Hampshire, and of other States, who are here to add dignity and honor
to this occasion, we meet on this day so full of inspiration to American
patriotism, and so dear to every American heart to perform an appro-
priate and grateful task.

On the anniversary of that day, when small in population, feeble in
resources, and st1~on,g.; only in the justice of their cause, the courage of
their convictions, and the indomitable force of their resolution, the
founders of this inztgxiificetit Republic took their stand among the nations
of the earth, we unveil the statue of an illustrious citizen, who first raised
his voice as the representative of his adopted State, in favor ofthe i111-
mortal Declaration Independence, and who. following the president of the
Congress, first aiiixed his signature to that great charter of our liberties.

Josiah Bartlett was born in this town on November 2t, 1729. He was
of English descent, and his family dates back for many generations, durw
in;: which the name of Bartlett has been honored and influential in the
counties of ‘Wiltshire and Sussex. His ancestors emigrated to this couu-
try in 1634 and settled in the town of Newbur_v. Some years prior to the
birth of Josiah Bartlett his father removed to Atnesbur_','. Tlirough its
whole history in the colony, for more than I00 years, the Bartlett l'amil_y
were distinguished for the possession in an unusual degree of those traits-
of character for which the early colonists were famous, and which enabled
them to lay“ deeply and securely the foundations of this noble Common»-
Wealth, and to build upon it a superstructure which has already sheltered
many generations, and we trust will continue to protect us so long; as we
shall love and cherish the institutions which the Puritans planted. Samuel

2'2} UNVEII. TNG‘ OF‘

Bartlett was the only soldier who traveled by night from Newl")ury to Bos-
ton to take part in the overthrow of the tyrant Andros. and the protection
of the charter of the colony.

Bailey Bartlett. the great g'randson of Samuel, accompanied Samuel and

John Adams to Philadelphia when the Declaration was proclaimed, and
he was the grandfather of that intrepid soldier and true patriot. General
VVi1liarn F. Bartlett, who, when a student at I~Iarvard, volunteered in de-
fense of the Union at t.l1e'ontl)reak of the civil war, and whose 5gallant1~y
secured him the promotion to the rank of general at the early age of 22
years. The late Ezra Bartlett, a great grandson of _Tosiah,~was an ofiicer
on the Kearsage when she fought and sunk the Alabama, and received
promotion and the thanks of the secretary of the navy for exliilaitixug in
that memorable action the traditional courage of his family.

It has been ascertained by an exaiiiinatioxit of the pension records that
the names of over 7o Bartletts who served in the war of the revolution, in
the war of 181?. and ’15, and in the Mexican war are on the pension rolls
of the United States. Doubtless an examination of the pension records
will show a very larg,'e number ofnames ofthe same fainil_V who served in
the warof the rebellion. A

In proof of the intelligence and position out‘ this family in Enggland, the
catalogues of O:.:t"or'd and Ca11ih1'id§;,'e show the names of 33 Bartletts who
graduated at those universities; and more than 100 Bartletts 11:.-we gg;'1*21dL1~
ated from the colleges of our country, and seven of that name have been
judges in the courts of New Hampshire.

Spr'L111g from such a fa1nily,_Iosial1 Bartlett soon proved himself worthy
of his lineage. He was a studious and intellectual boy, and early acquired
a knowledge of the rudiments of the Greek and Latin .tongL1es. At the
age of 16 he began the study of medicine with his relative, Dr. Ordway,
an eminent physician, where he soon exhausted the information supplied
by the doctor’s librar 2. and was given access to those of other ggentlemen,
among whom was the Rev. Dr. \Vebster of Salisbury, '_Wl‘.'10 was a distant
relative. This gentleman possessed a valuable lihrar_v for those days,
which he generousl_v loaned him, and they formed a lasting; and unbroken
friendship. It  probable that the influence of this excellent and learned
gentleman had much to do with forming the character of young Bartlett
and rousing in his youthful mind a love of lez11'ningr and a thirst for hon-
orable distinction. V

At theearly age of 2.]: he removed to Kingston and engaged in the prac-
tice of medicine. From this time the personal biography of Josiah Bart-
lett becomes a part of the history of his adopted State. In a few years,
and while still a very young; man, he became eminently successful in the

[J
us‘

TI-‘IE 'l32\R'l"'LETT STA'.1"lJE. ' _

-p_ract"ice of his chosen profession. In the treatment offebrile diseases and
malignant forms of throat diseases, then and now the scourge of child-
hood, he proved the o1-igri1’1:tlity of his genius by adopting more than a
centuryago methods of treatment which are approved by the medical pro-
tfession ofour own time.

Before he had arrived at the age of 30 years he became one of the most
'CilSlZlng'l.1lSl1€Cl and sticcessthl plrysicians of the time. Indeed, it‘ he had
been cut off at that early period of his life, his name would have lived in
tradition and in the records of the healing art as one of the great names
which a noble and humane profession deliglits to preserve and honor.

In proof of his coL11*:i_geoL1s advance he_i'ond the ideas of his time, is the
fact that he was suspended from membership in the New England Medical
Society for ztcloptiiig new methods in practice, and was within a year at'ter-
Wards elected its president. He was also the first president of the New
Hampshire Medical Society. But he was reserved for higher honors, and
an intimate connection’ with the public history of his State and country
which ended only with his voluntary retirement from the highest oiiice in
the gift of the people of New I"'l211‘1"1[lSl1l1't3 a short time prior to his death.
After having filled various local oliices, he was elected in 1765' a repre-
sentative from the town of I<Lix1gsto1'1 to the Legislz.1tu1'e of the province.
He took his seat at a most critical period in the al?fa_irs of that: province
and her sister colonies. The spirit of discontent at the encroacliments of
the mother country upon the privileges and rights of the colonists was
everywhere manifest and was stirring the hearts of the people f’ro1nNe\='v
Hampshire to Geo1*giz1. Everywliere the descendants of ancestors who
had attested on many a bloody field their attachment to liberty andhatrecl
of oppression were alike moved lay the spirit of resistance to the tyran-
nical acts of the crown, and the wave of popular lieeling was already
rising, whose 11iig'l1ty stirge was soon to sweep away every vestige of
British ascendancy. It was under these circumstances that Josiah Bartlett
assumed his seat. Governor Vvfentworth had recognized his influence,
and had hoped to secure his support by'co1'1t‘er1'ixig upon him judicial
otiice, and appointing him to the command of a regiment of militia; but
he had utterly1nistal~:en the temper a“nd qualities of this eminent man.
He at once espoused the popular cause, and he was afterward dismissed
fro"m his judicial and military otiices by order of the 5"-rovernor. Local
abuses practiced by the authorities of New I~Iampshire had produced dis-
content, and Colonel Bartlett fully shared in this teeliiilg.

But these grievances, peculiar to that province, were soon merged in
the common sentiment of indisrnation at the general policy of the crown

L

toward the colonies, and the general determination to resist it at all

2'4 U“NV'EILIN(3‘r” on

hazards. This spirit had become so menacing that it compelled the same:
government to repeal the stamp act which it had passed in 1760. The
necessities of the British government. resulting from numerous and expen-
sive wars led‘ her‘ again to the fatal expedient of laying; taxes upon her’
American colonies. In 1772 duties were imposed upon tea, and the
smouldering embers of" colonial discontent burst into a devouring flame.

New I-Iampshire sympathized with Massachusetts in her resistance to
its imposition. and a parallel incident to that of the Boston tea party
occurred in the town of Kingston, the residence of Josiah Bartlett. A
pedlar, sLrp‘posed to be an Englishman, sold and gave away small parcels
of tea to the women privately, and when their husbands discovered the-

fact they surrounded the tavern where the pedlar lodged, who, to avoid

their fury, leaped from a window and ran half a mile into a thick swamp.
All his tea was secured, and, togjether with that he had‘ sold or given
away, was burned in his presence under an elm near the tavern,vthe
crowd shouting, “Liberty and no t.axes.” The tree was ever afterward.
called “ Liberty tree.”

During the progress of these events Col. Bartlett and others often met
in private consultation, and when the Assembly met in I774. it appointed
a committee of correspondence to confer with the other colonial assem-~
blies. The Governor immediately dismissed the Assembly, which at

‘once recommended a convention to be held at Exeter for the purpose of’

choosing delegates to a general congress to be held at Philadelphia in
September, 1774.. The Governor recognized the Assembly, but repeatedly
prorogued it, and was in ‘constant opposition to it. In 1775 he called a
new Assembly, which was soon adjourned till the Izth of June.

Meantime American blood had been shed at Lexington, and the Assem-
bly represented the increasing spirit of independence by promptly ex»
pelling three members whom the government, through the exercise of the
royal prerogative, had added for the purpose of securing a majority.
Governor 'Wentworth soon afterwards adjourned the Assembly to the 28th.
of September and then to the next April.

This was the last act of the British Governor and terminated the author-
ity of the crown in New Hampshire, and all the relations of that province

with Great Britain which had existed since 1680. During all these stir-

ring events the subject of this address was incessantly active, and most
influential in maintaining the spirit of the people, in prornoting rneasures
for their defence, and in pressing onward the cause of independence. He
was appointed to an important military command by the first Provincial
Congress. He was chosen a delegate to the Continental Congress in
August, I775, and was again chosen in January, 17-76. To this Congress

THE BARTLETT STATUE. I 25'

belongs the immortal honor ofissuing the Declaration oflndependence, and
the name of Josiah Bartlett will always be inseparably and gloriously as-
sociated with that event as the first signer, after the presiding ofiicer, of
that great charter of American and human liberty, and the first delegate
who voted for its adoption. Among the many glorious incidents which
comprise the history of Massachusetts is the supreme fact that two of her
sons were the first signers of the great declaration. At this important
period of his life the health of Dr. Bartlett had become much impaired by
constant devotion to public duty for many years and the various and
arduous responsibilities he had sustained. He had suffered an almost
irreparable loss by fire; he was impoverished, and his family, for whom
he felt the warmest aiiection, were far distant.

These misfortunes produced a depression of spirits, but never for a mo-
ment led him to falter in the cause to which he had devoted his life. In

in December of I776 he was again appointed a delegate, but within the year

he returned home, and on account of feeble health did not resume his
duties until his re—election in 1778. ,

During his absence from Congress he was actively engaged as a mem-
ber of the committee of safety in procuring troops and supplies for
General Stark, with whom he was present at the battle of Bennington,
and his patriotic spirit could brook no delay,  is shown from the follow-
ing extract from a letter written by him at this time: ‘

“ STATE or New Hamrsnmn, May 3, I777.

“ Sir: By repeated expresses we are assured our enemies are moving on
all quarters, and unless sudden reinforcements are thrown into Ticonde-
roga that important post will be lost, and all your part of the country laid
open to the merciless rage of our vindictive enemies.

“The supineness and careless temper that has but too much appeared
thro’ the country of late will be our ruin, unless immediate exertions be
made to save our country. .

“ The Massachusetts have ordered one-half the militia in the county of
Berkshire to march to Albany, and I500 of Hampsliire to Ticonderoga.
I entreat you by all that’s sacred to raise as many of your militia as possi-
ble, and march them to Ticonderoga.

Reflect a moment on such a scene as this: Suppose your house in flames;
your wife, your daughters ravished; your sons, your neighbors weltering
in their blood, and the appearance of a few moments bringing you tothe
same fate. Consider these things, I say; tell them to your militia, and
surely you may tell them with the greatest probability, unless they, to-
gether with the country in general, awake from the sleep they are now in.
Yet, if the country will now exert themselves like men of spirit and reso-
lution, I firmly believe that God, who has hitherto saved the Americans,
will now assist their endeavors, and a few struggles more fix their liberties
on a solid basis.”

The Congress of I778 was the last in which he participated.
4

26 I UNVEILING or

I will quote an extract from a letter to john Langdon on October 27,
1778, which illustrates the clearness of his views and the fervor of his

‘ patriotism at that critical period:

“ DEAR Sm: By the several letters which have been sent to Congress
bv the British Commissioners they seem to be possessed of an idea that
Cong1*ess had exceeded their powers in forming an alliance with France,
and in rejecting the commissioners’ offers of reconciliation, and that in

V both those instances we had acted contrary to the sense of our COI1StItl.1"'

ents. ,Whether they are really deceived by the Tory accounts that they

' receive from the several States, or whether they mean to deceive others

by publishing such falsehoods, I am uncertain.

“ But this I am certain of, that so long as Britain has the smallest hope
remaining of our submitting to her domination again, she will never
recognize our independence, and, consequently, the war must continue.

“It is therefore our interest to convince Britain, and everybody else,
that ‘the French alliance and the rejection of the otters of the commis-
sioners are approved of universally by these States; and that the power
of making peace and war and contracting alliances is vested solely in
the Congress. For this purpose I should think it would be proper for the
legislatures of the several States (as of‘ their own motion without the
advice of Congress) to pass proper resolves signifying their approbation
of the above measures, and that the Congress are vested with full power
for rnaking peace with Britain (on the principles of our absolute inde-
pendence and not otherwise), for contracting foreign alliances and making
and conducting war, etc., and that the States repose entire confidence in
them for those purposes. If the several States in this Union would care-
fully draw up and unanimously pass such resolves, publish them in the
newspapers, and send attested copies to their delegates in Congress, to be
made use of as occasion may require, I think it would effectually cut off
all the hopes our enemies may still have of their being able to divide and
flatter us into submission; and as they now are convinced that they are
not able to conquer us by f'orce,I make no doubt such resolves would
greatly facilitatetheir acknowledging our independence and making peace
-with us.”

This letter unconsciously reveals the character. of the man, and ex.hibits_

h-is unwavering adherence to the cause ofzhis country and his intelligent
comprehension of the measures necessary to secure its success. In I779
he entered upon his remarkable judicial career. In that year he was
appointed chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas of his adopted
State, and in 1782. he was appointed associate justice of the Supreme
Court, and in 1788 he was appointed chief justice of the same court.
During the eleven years that he occupied these exalted judicial positions
he fully maintained his high reputation, and interpreted the law in accord-
ance with the standards of justice and equity which had always guided
his public and private conduct. In those early days laws had not accu-
mulated and law books were few, and it was possible for a man not bred
to the law to conduct trials and intelligently apply simple legal rnaxims to

THE BARTLET1‘ STATUE. 27

the issues presented for decision. In the lifevof the Elder Plumerit is
said of him that “ when the law was with the plaintiff, and equity seemed
to him to be on the other side, he was sure to pronounce in favor of the
latter.”

The object of the law being in all cases to do justice as between the
parties, that must, he said, be law which in any given case conduced to
this end. It was at any rate better to belgoverned by a right principle
than by a wrong decision. Guided by the light of this principle, which
illuminates jurisprudence as it does every department of human duty and
effort, the high intelligence, absolute probity, and large experience of
afi‘airs which distinguished Josiah Bartlett could not fail to enable him to
administer justice without fear and without reproach. Let me add the
remark of Arthur Liverlnore, an eminent lawyer, that “justice was never
better administered in New Hampshire than when the judges knew very
little of what we lawyers call law.” Of one of this class of judges not
bred to the law, Theophilus Parsons, who practiced in New It-Iarnpshire,
says: “ You may laugh at his law and ridicule his language, but Dudley
is after all the best judge I ever knew in New Hampshire.” It may be of
interest to state that the first lawyer who ever sat on the bench in Massa—
chusetts was appointed in I718, eighty—eight years after the first settlement
of Boston. ‘ -

Josiah Bartlett was a member of the convention called to ratify the
Constitution of the United States, and was _a strenuous advocate of its
adoption. .,

When that instrument took efiiect, and the old confederation passed
away, he was chosen senator from the new government, but the infirmities
of age compelled him to decline the oflice. In I790 he was chosen presi-
dent of New Hainpshire, and held that ofiice until he was chosen in June,
I793, governor of the State.

He discharged the duties of this exalted station, as he had previously
discharged all other public duties, with fidelity, ability, and unswerving
devotion to the public interests, “ He was a ruler in wholn the wise
placed confidence and of whom even the captions could find nothing to
complain.” Admonished by his advanced age and increasing infirrnities
that the time for repose had come, he addressed, on the 29th of january,
179.4,, a letter to the Legislature resigning his high ofiice. A

The repose which he had coveted“ was of short duration in this life.
He died on the Igth of May, I795, in the sixty-«-sixtli year of his age. I-Iis
excellent wife had died six years previously. .1‘-Ie left nine children, and
his descendants are today very numerous, and many 01 theni distinguished,
especially in the profession which he had chosen. No otlier family in

28 UNVEILING OF

New Hampshire has furnished so many eminent names to the medical
profession ‘as that of Josiah Bartlett. .

I have thus given a brief sketch of the life of this illustrious man,
whose name and memory will always be cherished by the citizensof
Amesbury, and whose character and public career will add dignity to your
local history and will forever adorn the annals of his State and country.
The basis of the character of this great man was absolute integrity. In
his long and varied career not a whisper was ever heard to sully his
blameless reputation, not a word was ever written to mar a record without

, spot or blemish. -I Then he had that calm and lofty courage which vaunt-

eth not itself, but which never failed when confronted with danger or
difficulty. y

o Added to these high traits were prudence, judgment, great clearness of
intellect, knowledge of men and affairs, and that high capacity which, in
the administration of great affairs in the most troubled times, enabled him
to do his full share in rescuing his country from colonial subjection, and
placing her among the nations of the earth. He excelled in those per-
sonal traits which endear men to each other, and which history does not
disdain to depict. He was cheerful in temperament, benevolent and
humane. A loving husband and father, solicitous for the health and
welfare of his family when far away in the performance of public duty.
He was an affectionate friend, a kind neighbor, beloved by all and loving
all, and without a personal enemy. These traits alone would have caused
the memory of Josiah Bartlett to be long loved and cherished. But added

to all these traits was that matchless patriotism, that almost divine amor

patrim which caused him to forego all thought of personal interest and
give himself unreservedly to the cause of his country. This all men
knew, and as he mounted step by step the heights of public confidence
and public trust he commanded from first to last the unabated, unfalter-
ting and boundless confidence of the people of New Hampshire and of
the nation. This is a totally inadequate portraiture of a man possessed

I of more than antique virtue, and worthy in that “age of men ” to stand

by the side of the great names which history has consecrated, and which
will live so long as the love of freedom endures among men. This day
reminds us that the crowning glory of Governor Bartlett’s life was his
active support of the measures which inaugurated and sustained the.revo-
lution, and his vote for and signature to the Declaration of Independence.

In this ‘great historic act of patriotism he was associated with men
whose memories will be honored and revered by every generation of their
countrymen, and by lovers of freedom in all lands and all times.

Their genius and virtues have been the admiration of each succeeding

T1-Ia BARTLETT STATUE. 29

generation. and are preserved in the. brightest pages of history for the

instruction and example of the remotest posterity. Each one of this

unequalled band maintained through life an absolutely spotless reputa-
tion; not one failed or faltered in the prosecution of the great and dan-
gerous task to which he had devoted his life, his fortune, and his sacred
honor. Ah, those were not unmeaning words to the signers of that im-
mortal instrument. Inspired by the grandeur of a great idea, they rose
to the supreme height of thateinergency, and were purified and exalted
by its influence. Selected by their i'ellow-men at a most critical and dan-
gerous period, because they knew them to possess in full measure those
qualities of wisdom, courage and patriotism which fitted them to lead in
the doubtful contest upon which they had entered, they amply justified
that choice. History will search in vain to find a parallel to the purity of
character, singleness of heart and purpose, patriotic devotion to duty,
unblenching courage and unwavering faith which distinguished them.
The great cause in which they were engaged, and the mighty issues which
hadsummoned them, filled their souls with a divine ardor.

They knew that they were the appointed instruments for the accom-
plishment of a work such as the world has not seen. The very spirit of
the revolution entered and transfigured them. Thenceforth mean and
selfish thoughts could not dwell in the souls of such men.

Their lives and characters conformed to the great part they had played
in human affairs, and have won for them the highest place in history.

Massachusetts furnished more than her proportion of this illustrious
body. Nine of the signers were born upon her soil. They were Josiah
Bartlett. john and Samuel Adams. Benjamin Franklin, john Hancock,
Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Roger Sherman and Williaxn Hooper.
These were among the few, the immortal, names that were not born to

' die.

Some of these men were possessed of such transcendent ability, and
their influence upon the eventsiof the revolutionary period was so marked
and decisive that their names became household words, and spring to
memory with every allusion to that heroic epoch. Samuel Adams was
the thunderbolt of the revolution. He had been for years previous to
that event the eloquent and determined advocate of the rights of the peo-
ple against the encroachments of the crown. Perhaps no man had done
as much to excite the spirit of resistance in Massachusetts, and to prepare
her people for the coming struggle. In every important popular move-
ment, i_n every collision of the people with the representatives of royal
authority, he bore a prominent part. He could neither be friglitened,
wheedlecl or bought. Governor Hutchinson said of him that “such is the

' go A , UNVEILING ow

obstinacy and inflexible dispositionof the man,that he could never be con-
ciliated by any office or gift whatever.” He divides with Richard Henry
Lee the honor of first suggesting committees of correspondence between;
the several colonies. He was the embodirnent of the courage and convic-

tions ‘of Massachusets, and of the unconquerable spirit of the revolution,-

and our Commonwealth has placed his statue and that of Governor Win-—*
throprin the national capitol as the representatives of the colonial and re-
volutionary periods of her history. Need I mention the name of that
other Adams whose descendants have in each generation graced our State

and national history and won merited distinction for themselves and" the
I greatnarne they bear. A learned and profound lawyer, a great debate:-,

orator and statesman of the ‘first rank-.—-his gifts and faculties were wholly
devoted to the revolutionary cause. He was one of the com-inittee who
were selected to draft the declaration. He first proposed the name of
Viiashington as the leader of our armies. From first to last he was a
towerof strength to the cause of independence, and in after times,  the
successor of Washington, be safely guided the destinies of the infant re-
public. Anotherillustrious son of Massachusetts was the president of the
congress and the first signer of the declaration.

These, and Robert Treat’ Paine and Elbridge Gerry, were the delegates
of Massachusetts and signers in her behalf of the declaration. But our
State gave to Pennsylvania perhaps the most extraordinary man of his
time. Born poor and obscure, and without adventitious aids of any de-
scription, Benjamin Franklin rose to world—wide eminence; eminence as
a political and social economist, scientist and philosopher. Despising
brilliancy and caring only for solid and useful accomplishments, he by

-the sheer force of intellect held captive the wittiest and most polished

society in Europe, and secured its sympathy and support for his own dis-
tant and struggling country. ‘ p 

Every child knows that this great American first subdued the lightning
of heaven, and pointed the way to those marvellous discoveries which in
their turn reveal the infinite possibilities of this subtle, mysterious and
almost miraculous force. That fluid which passed along the string of his
kite a century ago now conveys intelligence instantaneously from city to
city and from continent to continent; it converts the darkness of night

into the splendor of noonday, and by its hundred uses and the revelation ’

of its yet unascertained powers will prove itself the mightiest force that
science has ever conquered. ‘

Forever honored be the printer boy of Boston, the patriot and states-
man of the revolution, the master of science and philosophy which
America has given to rnankind----the illustrious Franklin.

THE BARTLETT STATUE. ~33f

 

Roger Sherman, another native of Massachusetts, who was the most
rdistinguished delegate from Connecticut, where most of his life had been
-spent, was, in the language of john Adams, "one of the soundest and
strongest pillars of the revolution.” The celebrated Fisher Ames said
of him that he always felt safe in voting as Mr. Sherman did, for he always
voted right. Mr. _let‘f'erson, in pointing him. out to Dr. Spring of New-
buryport, whom he accompanied to the hall of congress, then in session
at Philadelphia, said: “That is Mr. Sherman of Connecticut; a man who
never said a foolish thing in his life.” Mr. Macon remarked of him that
Mr. Sherman had more common sense than any man he ever knew.

‘These tributes render superfluous any words of mine in praise of the vir-—

tues and abilities of this most illustrious man of Massachusetts birth and
ancestr ,, and whose descendants have served and honored our Common-
wealth and other States in the highest public positions. Roger Sherman,
Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were members of the committee to
prepare the Declaration of Independence. This tribute to the sons of Mas-
sachusetts is- notrneant to be invidious or detract from the just fame of the
great men born in other States or in foreign lands who were members of
that great assemblage. l , ‘ .

The mother of states and statesmen gave to the revolutionary struggle
the author of the declaration, and in Richard Henry Lee_one of the ablest
and most distinguished members of the Congress, and perhaps its finest
orator. To her we owe Patrick Henry, the rnatchless orator, and W’ash~
ington, the greatest of Americans, until another name hallowed by time
and exalted by martyrdom shall stand by his side-—~—the one the founder,
the other the preserver of his countr r.

Every State sent its ablest and be'st representatives. New Hampshire
associated with Josiah Bartlett,—Matthew Thornton and William Whipple.
Among her four delegates, New York sent Livingston; New jersey,
Stockton and I-Iopkinson; Pennsylvania, Morris, Rush and Franklin;
Delaware, Rodney; Maryland, Carroll of Carrollton; Virginia, _Ieli‘erson._.
Wythe and the two Lees; North Carolina, Hooper; South Carolina,
Rutledge; , Georgia, Hall and Walton; Rhode Island, Ellery and the aged
and infirm but undaunted Hopkins, and their colleagues were worthy to
be associated with those illustrious men in the great task of founding a
nation. ’ , '

After the lapse ofmore than a hundred years we are in a position to de-
termine thercharacter and importance of that event. The impartial ver-
dict of history undoubtedly will -be that, whether viewed in relation to the
magnitude of its results, its permanent and increasing influence on the
history of nations, or the grandeur and far-reaching significance of its

32 UNVEILING or

central and inspiring idea, its stands alone in human" annals as the great-
est contribution which time and progress have made to the march of civ-
ilization. ‘

Of the ancient civilizations not a trace remains except their history and
literature. The works of their poets and philosophers are still read by
the scholar with delight, and the conquering march of the armies of
Greece and Rome and the exploits of their heroes resound through the
corridors of history and charm the listening ears ofyouth.

But the curse of paganism blighted their civilization; the element of
selfishness and cruelty pervaded their polity; they never recognized the
rights of human nature, and their systems fell to rise no more. That
divine light which for nineteen centuries has illumined the world with
ever-increasing brightness, and has made plain the path of duty to man
and nations alike, they knew not, and all their genius, learning and apti-
tude for affairs availed them nothing; they were blind guides groping in
the dark and tortuous paths of error, and finally stumbling, falling, and
lying where they fell-—a warning to every people that they must not for-
get the great disposer of events who controls through His laws the des-
tinies of His children.

Prior to the revolution the doctrine of the equality of man andrthe great
right of self—government has made but little progress in the old world.
There had been many struggles with the various forms of tyranny, and
this had notably been the case in the mother country, but the idea of
human rights was after all but dimly discerned. That was to spring full-
armed from the brain of the revolution. It was reserved for the inspired
pen of _Iefi"erson to declare the sublime doctrine that all men are created
equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rights; that among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
ness; that to preserve these rights governments are instituted among men
which derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. ‘And,
standing upon this ground so lofty and impregnable, the signers of the
declaration flung their defiance ‘to Great Britain and announced their
independence.

The colonists of Massachusetts were sprung from ancestors who had
proved their devotion to civil and religious liberty during the great con-
flicts between th_e crown and the people, between prerogative and popular
rights, which, commencing with the Stuarts, continued through the Eng-
lish commonwealth, and ended with the establishment upon a a firm and
immutable foundation of the constitutional rights of the English people.
They were themselves a part of that great movement, and left their native
country when it had suffered a disastrous eclipse in order to enjoy in a

'1"l~IE BARTLETT STATUE. 

foreign country that liberty of conscience which was denied them in the
land of their f'ath<—-rs. And they finally determined, in order to found a
colony or commomvealth where they and their children could enjoy the
freedom and practice the virtues they loved, to cross the broad ocean to
an unknown shore. Here they lived a century and a halt‘ prior to the
revolution. Here they had conquered the savage and the wilderness, and
established institutions oi" lea1'ning, of religion, and a civil polity which
has been the admiration and example of the statesmen and historians of
all succeeding time. The common school system of the colony, estab-
lished in the infancy of the settlement and growing with its growth, has
become not only the pride of our people and the foundation of our security
and p1*og;1*ess, but it has been long adopted by other States, and is today
one of the chief elements of our national strength and glor r.

May the time come when its influence shall extend to every quarter of_
the republic, and every citizen, despite his condition and antecedents,

shall receive the precious and inestimable gift of knowledge, that twin

brother of freedorn, which will lit him at once to enjoy and maintain that
body of rights and privileges which are the unequalled heritage of every
American. Then the town system of government, which was coeval
with the very origin of the colony, and exists today in undirninished
vi§;or, was of vital importance in educating to a full comprehension of
self"-government the men who laid the foundation of the State and nation.
In their annual and special meetings the inhabitants of towns decided
questions which concerned them. most closely and vitally. They deter-
mined the amount and rate of taxation, the government and support of
their schools, the laying out and building of roads and bridges; they
elected their representatives to the general court. Indeed they learned

t here the art of self-government and that true conservatism which springs

from the performance of public duty and a due sense of the responsibility
which attaches to it. Having been accustomed to exercise these rights,

they were not prepared to abandon them, or any portion of them, upon

the demand of an authority which was essentially foreign, and to escape
from which they had long before exiled themselves. Ii'I were asked what
led the colonists of Massachusetts-to cherish such an ardent and inex-
tinguishable love of liberty, and to resist at once and at allhazards the
slightest encroachment upon it, that stirred the spirit of revolt and red-
dened with patriot and British blood the plain of Lexington and the
slopes of Bunker Hill and made the revolution inevitable, I should say
the system of town government which, through all the history of Massa-
chusetts, whether as colony or Commonwealth, has been an essential
feature of her polity. Every town has its own history, its local traditions,
5

34 UNVEILING OF

'-l n —w

its own peculiar incidents, political, social and personal, which appeal to
the pride and patriotism of its people. Then there are its associations
with great public events which have risen likemonuments above the level
plain of our history so high that their summits are gilded alike by the de-
parting radiance of the past and the coming glory of the future.

One of these memorable incidents you commemorate today, and that
statue, so long as it stands, will tell how well a son of Amesbury kept the
faith in the brave days of old. Every citizen of your town is proud of
her history, of her early settlement, of the industry, frugality, courage
and fortitude of her founders, of her growth, and of the many interesting
incidents which crowd the path of her progress. You know the honor-
able part she bore in supporting the cause of the revolution by sending
her sons again and again to the camp and battle-field in that trial hour.
You know the equally patriotic efforts of your town in the war of the
rebellion, and you are proud of her present prosperity, and her important
position among her sister towns. You are justly proud of your great and
beloved citizen, whose genius has added an enduring charm to the litera-
ture of our age, and whose muse, inspired by the spirit of divine love and
justice, and wholly devoted to the service of his fellow-man, has won for
him the grateful blessings of enfranchised millions. And this love of his
town has been shared by every citizen of Massachusetts in all her history.

The historian of our country says that a number of towns, which he
designates, met in the cradle of liberty in the town of Boston, where for
ten years the freernen of the town had debated the great question of justi-
fiable resistance.

, “ The lowly men who now met there were most of them accustomed to
feed their own cattle, to fold their own sheep, to guide their own plough;
all trained to public life in the little democracies of their town. They
grew in greatness as their sphere enlarged. T Their virtues burst the com
fines of village life. They felt themselves to be citizens, not of little
municipalities, but of the whole world of mankind. r In their dark hour,
light broke upon them from their own truth and courage.”

This is a just and eloquent recognition of the important part played by
the towns of Massachusetts in the opening scenes of the revolution, and
the events which prepared the people for that great struggle. Let me
quote from the most famous and philosophic of European authors who
have written upon our history and government, and whose predictions
have had in many instances the force of prophecy.

He states that in “America, on the other hand, it may be said that the
township was organized before the county, the county before the State,
the State before the Union.

I
THE BARTLETT STATUE. 35

“In New England, townships were completely and definitely constituted
as early as 1650. The independence of the township was the nucleus
round which the local interests, passions, rights and duties collected and
clung. It gave scope to the activity of a real political life most thoroughly
democratic and republican. The colonies still recognized the supremacy
of the mother country; monarchy was still the law of the State; but the
republic was already established in every township.”

He takes Massachusetts as his example of town government, and de-
clares that in that State “ the rnainspi-_ing~ of public adrninistration lies in
the township. It forms the common centre of the interests and affections
of the citizen.“

And ‘again : “ In this part of the Union the impulsion of politii-al
activity was given in the township; and it may almost be said that each
of‘ them originally formed an independent nation.”

What I have said of the municipal idea in government applies to New
England generally, although Massachusetts was its earliest and most con»-
spicuous example, as she was also the theatre upon which the earliest
scenes of the bloody but sublime drama of the revolution were enacted,
and in which the early training of her people in the rights and duties of
self»-governinent eminently fitted them to participate. She was sustained
by all her sister colonies who were animated by a common spirit, purpose
and faith through all that seven years’ strife. From the northern fron-
tier of New l~Iampshire to the southern boundary of Georgia, the thirteen
colonies stood as one man from the beginning to the end of the revolu-
tion. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut inheriting the blood
and courage of their hardy ancestors who had won on many a bloody
field the rnuniments ofEng'lish liberty; New York. where the descendants
of the men who had stood with VVilliam of Orange on the dikes of Hol-
land, pike to pike and Face to face with the trained soldiers of Spain under
the bloody Alva, proved themselves worthy of the founders of the Dutch
Republic; Pennsylvania, Where the followers and children of a peaceful
sect, slow to act, not prone to civil disturbance, but who, when they have
once moved forward, have never turned back in any crises of our history;
New Hampshire, the adoptediState of him whom we have met to honor.
first settled by that sturdy race which has given to English literature and
statesmanship the unrivalled name of‘ Burke, and to her armies the con-
queror of Napoleon and the greatest soldier in all her annals———a race
which has furnished to America three signers of the Declaration of Inde~
pendence, and to New Hampshire one who stands side by side on the
page of that imrnortal instrument in the records of her history and the
hearts of her people with Josiah Bartlett. The southern colonies, whose

36 i UNVEILING or '"

first settlers, like the Puritans of New England, sought a home in the new
world to enjoy that civil and religious freedom denied them in their na-
tive land; Virginia, who, ‘through her Wasliington, led the armies, and
by her _]'ei’ferson uttered the voice of the revolution-——-a voice which will
resound in all lands and grenerations so long‘ as the pulses of the human
heart throb for liberty or the fire of genius penetrates the soul ofman.
All these colonies were a unit in the great cause. Although the burdens
and sufferings of the war were unequally borne, and there may have been
some natural jealousy and impatience, yet the spirit of patriotismsur-
mounted and stifled ever * meaner emotion, and produced substantial liar-
mony in their councils, courage and endurance in their armies, andthe
final triumph of their cause. These men did more than simply secure
their independence from foreign control. They successfully solved the
problem of uniting into a homogeneous whole thirteen distinct States,
with independent, varying, and conflicting interests, to harmonize which
required the utmost /forbearance and wisdom. It was, indeed, a more
difficult task than thejalaad previously accomplished. Duriiig the revolu~
tion the necessity for united efort prevented serious discord. A common
danger, a common exigency and one purpose bound them together, till

the supreme object had been accomplished. Then came the grander  '

of laying the foundations of a State whose institutions should justify the
sacrifices they had made and illustrate the ideas which they had pro-

S claimed in the immortal declaration. How well they performed this task

the history of the past century afiirms.

They at first endeavored to preserve the autonomy of the several States
by adopting a confederatcd form of government; but the e-xperience of a
few years demonstrated the weakness and instability of this scheme. The
necessity fora closer union became apparent; and after full deliberation,
during which the discussions displayed a degree of political sagacity,
learning and wisdom that has earned for these eminent statesmen the ad-
miration of all scholars of political science, the constitution under which
we live was adopted and ratified by all the States. Under this organic law
the republic has lived one hundred years. It has been subjected to the
severest tests which can be applied to the safety and integxity ofa nation,
and has met them, not only successfully, but triumphantly. It has been
visited by foreign war, and it has sustained the most dreadful calamity
and the greatest danger to which a people can be subjected--——a civil "war
of unexarnpled magnitude; and it has emerged from that struggle with a
race emancipated, with the principles of the declapation vindicated, and
with the nation freer, stronger, more enduring, more deeply imbedded in
the hearts of the American people than ever before. Certainly the

THE BARTLETT S"I‘AT‘UE. ‘ 

fathers have bequeathed to us a glorious and matchless heritage. The
tree which they planted has become overshadowing and mighty. Like
the Scandinavian Igdrasil, it is indeed the tree of life, of whose delicious
and nourishing fruit our children partake from age to age, and beneath
whose grateful shade our institutions safely repose. The revolution was
fought by thirteen colonies sca_ttered along the Atlantic coast, and having
a population of 3,000,000 of people. Less than four generations have
passed away, and our population has increased more than twenty-fold,

and has spread from ocean to ocean, and from the great lakes and mighty

river of the north to the wide-reaching waters of the Mexican gulf.

Withlll these almost limitless boundaries are found the elements of
national strength and development to an extent previously unknown in
human history. Our population exceeds that of any European nation
save one. Our internal commerce, manut"actures, agricultural products,
and aggregate wealth vastly exceed those of any other country, and each
decennial census reveals our marvelous increase in all these elements of
national greatness. ' ~

It is for us and each succeeding generation to preserve and extend these
blessings. Let us cultivate the virtues and maintain the principles of the
fathers. There alone are national safety and honor. Upon their preser-
vation depends the progress of that civilization which we represent, and
the development of those ideas and forces upon which our destiny rests.
So long as the American people value the precious inheritance they pos-
sess, they will hold in grateful remembrance the founders of the republic.
It is for you, citizens of Amesbury, to cherish with especial reverence the
memory of your great townsman. By the generous patriotism of" a citi-
zen of Amesbury, who bears the name and inherits the blood of the early
settlers .of your town, and whose energy and enterprise have done much
to promote your prosperity, you have been presented with the statue
which we today unveil. This statue, which is a triumph of the artist's
genius, will always remind you of the most heroic period of our history.

Its just proportion, its features of dignity and strength, fitly represent
the character of its illustrious original. Long may it stand, looking
toward the ever-uplifting, ever-expanding horizon, typical of our coun-
try’s future. Long may the children of this old town, as generation after
generation they gather around its base and gaze upon its features, be
taught the lesson of virtue and patriotism which its mute presence so elo-9
quently teaches. Long may the men of Amesbur gather strength and
courage for the discharge of every public and private duty from the same
inspiring influence. And may old Aniesbury-——a name Clear to me as the
home of my childhood, and the scene of many tender and loving mem-

38"? UNVIJILING. on

ories~—-in the days of her advancing growth and prosperity, prove herself"
worthy of her early history and the memory of‘ her most i1lu.~strious son.
And may our Cornmonwealth, her sister States represented here, and’
our beloved country, never forget the sublime hour of our" nationnl birth,
or the ideas of the declaration, or th-e services, sa‘c-rifi:7ces, and virtues of‘
the founders of the republic.

At the conclusion of' the oration a poem written for the occasion by the-.
Qxuaker poet of the town, john Greenleaf VVhittier. was read by P'rofesso1:-
J... W. Chu.rchi'l1.. of Andover.

; >.
‘ .
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v ' M” - , J . ;_ -/ 5.
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a _ , -; ‘,7 I‘
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-__/:/7. it i .  “ . " ‘I ‘ W _.9.y
/,r .f.:“'./  ll ‘,6. ..‘0.,‘.‘|'.I,| .

/’?;r.:r.5."/-‘-'f?.£55/V- Y-  
JOHN G. WI—II’IL‘T1ER.

ONE OF THE SIGNERS.

O vale of storied Merrirnac,
' Rejoice through all thy shade and shine,
And from his century’s sleep call back
A brave and honored son of thine!

"THE BARTL ETT -ST.ATUE.

‘ T39
Unveil his efiigy between
The living and the dead today;
The fafilner of the Old Thirteen
Shall witness here as spirits may.

Unseen, unheard, his gray compeers,
The shades of Lee and jefferson,

Wise Franklin, reverend with his years,
And Carroll, lord of Carrollton.

Be thine henceforth a pride of place
Beyond thy namesakes over sea;
Whei-e scarce a stone is left to trace
The holy house of A.meshury.*

A prouder ‘memory lingers ’round

The birthplace of thy true man here
Than that which haunts the refu

ge found
By Arthur’s mythic Guinivere; ,
The plain dealitable where he sat,

And signed a nation’s title deed,
Is dearer now to fame than that

Whicli bore the scroll of Runnymede.

Lono" as on Freedom’s natal morn,
:9

Shall ring the independence bells,
Thy vchildren’s children yet unborn

Shall hear the tale his image tells.
In that great hour of destiny,

‘Which tried the souls of sturdiest stock,
W110 knows the end alone must be

A free land or a traitor’s block!
Amidstthose picked and chosen men,
Than his who here first drew his breath,
No firmer fingers held the pen
Thatiwrote for liberty or death.
Not for the hearts and homes alone,
But for the world the deed was done;

On all the minds their thought had flown
Through all the circuit of the sun.

*Amesbury, Almsburv or Ambresbury, famous in Druiclical, Arthurian and Christian tradition.
is supposed by antiquarians to have derived its name from its vicinity to the “Anointed Stones” of
the great temple of Stonehenge. One of the first of England’-.5 great abbeys was erected 1n Attics»
bury; Queen Guinevere is said to have fled thither from her 1TJ_]l1X‘eCl lord:

“Queen Guinevere fled from the court and sat
There in the Holy House ofA1mesbury.”

—--Tennysorfs “lclyls of the King.”

40‘ UNVEILING OF’

VVe trace its flight by broken chains,
By songs of grateful labor still,
Today in all her" holy fanes
It rings the bells of freed Brazil! %
O hills that watched his boyhood home,
0 earth. and air that nursed him, give
In this memorial semblance room
To him who shall its bronze outlive.

And thou,‘ 0 land he loved, rejoice
That in the countless years to come.
"Whenever freedom needs a voice, ‘
These sculptured lips shall not be dumb.

The following gentlemen acted as ushers on the grand stand: Chief'——-
A. C. A1‘tl§'1u1'; john C. Carr, M. Hines,  Mahoney, F. l\’.[. Hoyt, R. S.
Patten. A. Hinkley, Charles Scofield and H. Graftiun.

Immediately after the exercises at the monument were concluded the
invited guests and others repaired to the opera house where the dinner by
Valiquet of Lynn was served to about three. hundred. The following
menu was furnished: ‘ '

' Salmon, -~ Green Peas, Cold Ham,
Roast Turkey.
Dressed Lettuce, Sliced Cucumbers,
Mixed English Pickles.

Lobster Salad, Chicken Salad.
French Rolls and Butter, Frosted Pound Cake,
Plum, Citron, Jelly Rolls,
Maccaroons, Lady Fingers.

Frozen Pudding.

Vanilla, St1'awberr_y, Chocolate Ice Cream.
Oranges, Apples, Bananas, Figs.
Tea, Cotlee.

The following gentlemen occupied seats at the table on the stage :
Hon. E. Moody Boynton. ’
Gov. Sawyer of New I-Elampshire.

W’. H. B. Currier, chairman of Selectmen, Amesbury.
Hon. E. F. Stone, Newburyport.

‘W. D. Lowell, Selectman, Amesbury.

O. S.nBaley, Selectman, Amesbury.

G. W. Gale, St. john, N. B.

Pres. Samuel Bartlett of Dartmouth College.
Hon. George B. Loring, Salem.

Col. A. K. Owen, New York.

Hon. George Horr, Athol.

H. G. I-Ie1‘1‘icl~:, Lawrence.

Hon. Albert Currier, Newburyport.

THE BARTLETT STATUE. 4'1“

The post-prandial exercises were inaugurated by the introduction 01
Bartlett Merrill of Washington. D. C., as the only surviving grandson of
Josiah Bartlett. — i

A cable despatch was read from Lord Ashmede Bartlett and Baroness
Burdette-Coutts, regretting their inability to be present, and sending best
wishes for the occasion. “ p .

After justice had been done to the -eatables ofiered, the president of the
day rapped to order and introduced as the first speaker Governor Sawyer
of New I-Iampshire, who spoke in eulogistic terms of Governor Bartlett.

He was followed by President Bartlett of Dartmouth- College, who gave
a short sketch of the Bartlett family. ’ l l

  
        
  

   
  

   

w l 

|“\- u i

 

\l.

'1
V i
\
l

JOSIAPI ‘BARTLETT. l . ,

l Hon. George B. Loring of Salem spoke in :1 happy strain of the many
great men that Essex county had produced. I“-le also spoke of the stei*ling;‘
character of Governor Bartlett as a physician and lawyer.

«Colonel E. F." Stone of Newbur_vport was‘ the next speaker, 1-efe1~i-ing to
the fitness of the day. the anniversanv of American Independence, to
dedicate to one of the signers of the Declaration of independence so
beautiful a rnonninent. ‘ a

Mayor Titcomb of Newburyport followed, making one of his charac.ter-—
istic speeches, intwhich he congratulated Arnesbury and Nevlsburyport on

6

42 UNVEILING or

the pleasant and friendly relations existing between them,'and hoped. for

a continuance of the same.

Selectman Currier of Arnesbury was next called upon and spoke of an
effort made about forty years ago to raise a monument to the memory of
Bartlett, but failing to do this, it remained for Mr. Huntington to carry

the purpose into effect.

The closing speakers were Colonel A. K. Owen of New York, George '

N. Horr of Athol and Selectman William D. Lowell of Arnesbury.
In the evening Chandler’s Band and the Newburyport Cadet Band played
a concert programme, the first being stationed at Sparhawk square and
the latter at Market square. The programmes were as follows:
or-rANDLI«:R.’s BAND.

Overture, Morning, Noon and Night, . . . . . Suppe
Gitana waltz. . . . . . - . - . Bucalossi
On the Plantation, . . . . . . . - . Puerna
Cheerfulness (comet duet), . . . . . . . Gumbert
Patrol Comique, . - V - -_ - ~ . - Hindley
Clarinet solo (selected), . . . . . . . .
Mr. Philip E. Robinson.
Ten Minutes with the Minstrels, . . . . . . Beron
Infernal galop, A . . , . . . . .. . Kela Bela
Hunting scene, . . . . . . l . . . . Bucalossi
American overture, . . . . . . . . Catlin
. NEWBURYPORT CADET BAND.

Preliminary March, . . Q . . , . . ' . .

Overture, “American,” . . . . . . . . Catlin
Concert waltz, “Nantasket,” . . . . . . . Fahrbach
Reverie, “The Wayside Chapel,” . . . . . Wilson
Concert schottische, . . T. . ‘ . . . . . . Missud
March, “General Banks,” . . . . . '. . Rollinson
Overture, “Belle of the Village,” . . . . . . Bouillon
Mariana, “Chillian Dance,” . . . . . . .

Concert waltz, "American Student,” . . - . . Missud
Presto . . . .

At 3:0 o’clock the band concerts had ceased, the crowd, which had
listened to them had in a great measure dispersed, and quiet once more
reigned in Amesbury. All that was leftlof the celebration was a pleasant
memory and the great statute as it stands speaking of independence.

The decorations of public buildings and private residences for the day
were very elaborate. The whole town was resplendent with mottoes,
flags, rosettes and bunting, and was gay with color. Among the most
prominent decorations were those mentioned below:

The Boston & Maine passenger station was finely trimmed with flags
and streamers looped up over the front entrance. A large American flag
floated from _a staff on the top of the building. .

THE. BARTLETT STATUE. 

Union Block, in which are the stores of B. L. Fifield, J. Woodman and
R. H. Woolard, Co-operative store, and the halls of Masons, Odd Fellows
and Hibernians, was covered with flags, streamers and banners. Over
the front door of Masonic Hall was a square and compass, and over the
door of Hibernian Hall a large gold harp. ,

Rowell’s block was tastefully hung with red, white and blue streamers
looped up with shields representing various States and the United States,
and over all perched the American eagle with extended wings, guarded
on either side by a plurned knight in armor.

At Ba:-tlett’s block, in the centre hung a large banner of "Massachusetts -

surrounded with flags and streamers. A long string of flags was hung
across the street.

Powow Bank building was finely decorated with flags and streamers,
and a large banner upon which was a representation of the Goddess of
Liberty hung from the centre. On each corner of the building flags were
festooned up. ' y i

The Villager ofiice had the front covered with streamers and flags.

Hamilton Mills, on both sides of the street, were handsomely decorated
with flags and streamers, beautifully festooned with red, white and blue
rosettes. The oflice of the corporation was beautifully decorated. Directly
in front hung a life-size picture of Washington, which was surmounted
with red, white and blue streamers, while from the windows hung beauti-
fulspangled banners.

The Webster block, in which is located Post 122, G. ‘A. R., wasfinely
decorated with flags, streamers and shields. In front, suspended from the
eaves, was a large banner‘ representing the Goddess of Liberty, while
over the entrance to the hall, in gold letters on black ground, was “ Post
122, G. A. R.” ' .

The whole front of the American House was covered with buntingpof

all colors. In a half circle over the door was “July 4, 1776,” and under» '

neath the circle a large illuminated star.

The Opera House, one of the "finest buildings in the State, was beauti-
fully decorated with long streamers of red, white, blue and yellow from
the eaves down to the ground, and were looped up. On the balcony over
the entrance to the foyer was a life-size equestrian figure of Washing-

"ton. Underneath the statue on a half circle in gold letters read the

motto, “ Welcome.” E. J. Bahan, Smith & Wilrnan, Collins the clothier
and the News oflice in the building were all appropriately draped with
bunting, flags and banners. r

The palatial residence of]. R. Huntington was elegantly draped. Long
streamers of red, white and blue bunting came from the corner of the

‘ it

4.4. UNVEILING OF

mansion to the fence. In .the front of the tower was a lif'e-sized picture
of Washington surmounted with flags and shields all tastefully arranged.
, A large arch spanning the street in front of the residence of A. M.
Huntington was decorated with flags, the whole surmounted by an Amer-
ican eagle with outstretched wings. On each column was a shield. On

. one was-“ 1729,? on the other f‘ 14795,” On. one side of the span “Josiah

Bartlett,” and on the reverse “ I776———~Independence—I888.”
Union Hose Company, No. I, and Fearless Hose Company, No. 3, had
the front of their engine house beautifully decorated.

The stores of Fred Goodwin’ and A. j. Rackley were tastefully decorated A

withflags, streamers and shields.

The ‘Webster building, occupied by Hotel Mascot, I-I. E. Foster and R.
F. Dade, was finely covered with flags and streamers. . t

The residence of A. M. Huntington was covered with flags and stream-
ersand a large motto, “ 76, Welcome. 88.” _ .

Fred Dobie, paymaster at the Hamilton corporation, elegantly deco-
rated his residence on Sparhawk street. Prominent among them was a
flag flying which was at the masthead-of the Cumberland when she sank
ofi’ Fortress Monroe in 1863. .

Charles Ful1er’s shop had the front covered with flags and the motto,
“July 4, 1776.” . r . V

Knights of I-Ionorl-iall, flags and streamers and on each side of the
windows figures ol plurned knights. _ . ~v

At the store of T. D. Nelson & Co.; in front and across the street was a
large flag bearing the names of Cleveland and Thurman, the line which
held itbeing filled with red bandannas.

Theliberty pole in lMarket square had two flags on top and nine sets of
streamers from the top to the ground. The pole was surmounted with an
electric light. Around the pole was the band-stand tastefully decorated.

Folger 8:’ Drumn:1ond’s large factory and salesroom was beautifully
decorated with flags, banners and shields, the whole surmounted with a
large American eagle. j - - , , _ . .

‘Besides those mentioned above, the residences and stores of the follow-—
ing named persons were decorated with yyflags and streamers: Patrick
Pendergast, I-I. H. Bean, Bee Hive, Prevaux’ express, ,We11s’ express,
Hea1ey’s store, E. Brown’s store,;G. W.-Austin’s residence, residence of.

“Margaret McGinley, Hiram Jewell, Charles A. Skeels, Dr..Douglass,'Y.

CM. C. A. Rooms, Daniel Webster, Newell Page, tMrs. Willilam Currier,
Mrs. Colby, Dr. Adams, Mrs. Burney, M. D. F. Steere, William Brown,
C. F. Pettingell, john S. Poyen, George Hunt-, George W. Osgood, Mrs.
O. S. Patten, R. W. Patten, and the stores of Patrick Connors, I. F.

‘THE ‘BARTLETT STATUE. 43

‘1.ittlefie'l'd 82! Co., Joseph Cummings, R. E. Harmon St Co., R. Beliveau,

Edwin W. Osgood, Ed. Kelly, American Express Company, Harry Locke,
C. L. 8: J. W. Allen, Edwin E.. Sanborn, Oneto Brothers, D. C. Denney,
*G. W. Pettingell, E. A. Blake Lake, Frank E. Libby, S.  Brown, D. W.
French, M. E. Greene, Toby’s drug store, ]ohnson’s book store, Post-
oofiice, Fe1ch’s barber shop, Amesbury News office, J. W. Briggs & Son,
‘George Can:unuett,* R. L. Norwood, George T. Barker, Michael Kenan.

THE STATUE.

The statue as it stands unveiled is a most noble combination of granite
and bronze. The pedestal is in two pieces and is about to feetin height.
Into the upper block is sunk a bronze plate, 4 feet by 2:} feet, which bears
the following inscription, written by Mr. Huntington, the donor of the
statue:

JOSIAH BARTLETT,
Born atA1nesbury, 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, *
This monument erected July 4, 1888,
And dedicated to his countrymen

by
. A citizen of Arnesbury.

The figure is 8 feet 6 inches in height, on a plinth 6 inches thick. It
stands erect with head uplifted and one foot pressed forward, a true em-
bodiment of the independence which Mr. Bartlett was prominent in
obtaining for his fellow-countrymen of future generations. The dress is
the old—time knee breeches, long waistcoat and ploosely-hanging coat with
ruffled cuffs. The garments are copies of revolutionary times, furnished

for Mr. Gerhardt by parties in this vicinity, and the face is also an accu-

    

  

A I
0

   

.2.

NH

5
‘MUG

    

    

JACOB R. HUNTINGTON, THE DONOR OF THE STATUF.

[From 21 Photograph by '1‘ hoxnpson.]

46 UNVEILING OF

rate likeness, from a painting of Mr. Bartlett. In the right hand is a
quill pen, while in the left hand is a roll on which is the word “ Independ-
ence,” thus illustrating the subject of the statue. The entire work is per»-
fect in every detail, and Mr. Gerhardt may well feel proud of this, his
latest completed statue.

The figure is made of‘ standard government bronze and was cast in eight
pieces and riveted together. It weighs 1,300 pounds, and it required six
men three months to do the Work. This includes moulders and finishers.
It is pronounced by competent critics to be one of the finest works of the
kind in the c0un,tr-y. The Ames Company, which did the bronze work,
have within the past two years turned out several fine jobs ofbronze Work,
among which are a statue of General Albert Sidney Johnson at New
Orleans, 14 feet high and weighing 6,000 pounds; the Minard group, 120.}
feet high, at Springfield, Ill., 2,500 pounds; soldiers’ monuments for
Brooklyn, Depont, and Harrysford, N. Y., and a statue of Sergeant Jasper
at Savannah, Ga. ‘

u N  3
' L-;9f"(o

TI-IE BARTLETT STATUE. 

JACOB R. HUNTINGTON.

It may be said that no man makes a town. He may be a leader in busi-
ness, in social and other walks of everyday life, but it is only where all
citizens work together for the social andfinancial good of a place that it
becomes a success in the eyes of its sister.-communities. Admitting the
truth of this, it must also be conceded that he who, alone and inexperi-
enced, yet full of’ener”‘gy and honesty, starts in a business which revolu-
tionizes the trade of a continent and builds up a village to a town second
to none in the State, is in many respects the maker of that town.

Such a man is Jacob R.‘ Huntington of Amesbury.

There was nothing in the boyhood of Mr. Huntington that foreshadowed

' his future life, or that in the slightest degree indicated that it was to be

one of rare interest and productive of great commercial good. When he
was born, his father, Josiah Huntington, was a worker in the woolen
mills of Amesbury, and was in humble circumstances. Jacob came up
through all the periods of boyhood like many others of his kind, going
to the schools of his native town and receiving a fair common education.
At the age of seventeen he entered the same mill that his father was em-
ployed in, and then for two or three years the record of his life does not
call for any special mention. One day, however, an incident occurred
which well illustrates how the affairs of a life may turn on a small cir-
cumstance. VAs young Huntington was tending his spinningframe the
warp parted. Impatiently he essayed to start it anew on its delicate
growth, but again it gave way, exasperating the nettlesome spirit of the
young man, and with a resolve never again to work as a mill operative he
strode from the building. The affair created consternation on a small
scale among the workmen, as it was a rule of the mill that he who left
without due notice should forfeit his pay, and for a young man to do such
a thing appeared to the others to. savor of recklessness. But Huntington,
nothing abashed, presented himself at the desk of the agent, and so ably
did he present his case that the wages due him were paid, and with this
small capital, at the age of twenty-four, in the year 1853, he commenced
business. ' N i t

It can hardly be stated why the young man’s mind turned toward car»
riage work. West, Amesbury, now Merrimac, had for many years previous

to the time of which we write, been engaged in the building of carriages,
7 p .

48 UNVEILING or

and had many establishments pursuing lines in connection with this class
of work, and the young man had a taste for painting. These two facts are
the ones, the conjunction of which doubtless bent Huntington’s mind
toward carriage work, and he hired a section of a little loft over a mill in’
one portion of the town and there took a few bodies from the West Ames-
bury shops to paint. So poorly situated was the place that the enthusias_
tic young painter had hard work to keep the dust, sifting through from
the mill below, from settling on his work and spoiling it, but by dint of
considerable exertion the bodies were returned in good shape. From
this painting Mr. Huntington purchased a few carriages in VVest Ames-
bury, and besides bought parts and put them together, until, besides other
work penorrned, it was found at the end of the year that he had built
thirteen carriages. The business was remunerative. The carriages sold
well, and with renewed activity Mr. Huntington commenced the second
year of his manufacturing career, doing all branches of the trade and
painting in return to pay for work done for him. The second year ninety-
five carriages were turned out, the third, 313, and so on, increasing year
by year, renewing the profits of the indefatigable young man who, earnest,
honest and hard-working, kept on in the even tenor of his way, giving
dollar for dollar, and making a reputation for business integrity that one
might be proud to own. ‘

The carriage business of Amesbury was thus started. Not only was
Mr Huntington the first to embark in it, but he was the means of its
growth outside of his establishment. He had in his employ a Scotchman,
James Hume, a hard»-working and skilled mechanic. Mr. Huntington
saw the makeup of the man, and argued that Hume could make a success
as a builder of carriages for himself. The latter was told so by Mr. Hun-
tington, but his confidence failed him until finally the employer almost
turned the man away, though doing it ‘for Hume’s good. Mr. Hume
started in business and was successful. With two factories and numerous

. lesser shops in different branches of the trade the business -of the town

was active for its size, and soon, as the wares of the place became circu-

lated in the country, the fame of‘ the Amesbury carriage was everywhere. ,.

The business expanded and new shops started until it became the leading
industry of the town, and it has remained so until the present day, the
products of the place being shipped to every point in the world. In all
the rush of business Mr. Huntington never faltered. He accommodated
all that came to him. A Being thoroughly acquainted with every part of the
trade he was in all parts of his rnanufactory, overseeing and suggesting,
regarding all the time his avowed determination to give the best carriage
that he could afford for a stated price. His honesty did not go unrewarded

THE BARTLETT STATUE. 

and the application to his affairsnnade him wealthy. It is said of hiin that
he could sell as many carriages before breakfast in one day as some men
could have in a full week and the statement is almost borne out by fact.

Not contented with the limited trade of New England he pushed his
manufactures and was the first builder of the town to send carriages into A
the West. He has sent his wares to one—~ha1f the States in the Union in
one day, and vehicles of his build may be found today, though they were
built in the early part of his manufacturing Career.

In I869 the factory he was occupying was burned to the ground, and he
lost his all. With commendable promptness he again took up the burden
of life, and again did he score a signal success, so pronounced an one in
fact that in 1875 he had acquired a competence and retired from active
business to enjoy the ‘fruits of his well-earned fortune. t

In all his manufacturing life Mr. Huntington never had a partner, and

_ did business for twent *-one years without the aid of a bookkeeper, looking

thoroughly after his own accounts.

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JACOB R. I~iUN’1‘1NGTON’S RESIDENCE.

[From a Photograph by Thompson]

In Arnesbury today he is respected and his career is admired. I-Iis
residence is at the head of Patten’s Hill, he being one of the first to build
on a slope whichinow is adorned with picturesque residences. The house
is anflimposing structure and was erected seventeen years ago. Beautiful

50 UNVEILING on '

grounds surround it, and the land in the rear slopes gracefully away ln a
valley, while in the distance may be seen the waters‘ of the Powwow river,
made famous in song. The house is richly and elaborately furnished,
and over it presides Mrs. Huntington, a lady of rare Worth, who, with a
daughter, constitutes the family. Another daughter, Mrs.ljohn S. Poyen,
lives directly opposite in one of the richest residences ofthe town.

Mr. Huntington is a lover of art, and many works of much value adorn
the walls of his house. He it was who with a fatherly interest took as a
protege Charles Davis, an Amesbury young man, and gave him the in-
structions and travel necessary to develop inherent artistic talent that
made him famous in the land. Many of Davis’ paintings are seen in Mr.
I-Iunti-ngton’s gallery, and many more will doubtless be placed there to
reflect credit upon the painter and upon the artistic taste of the buyer.

Though loving the enjoyment of his wealth, Mr. Huntington is not at
all unmindful of his duties of citizenship, and manifests a decided interest
in all that pertains to the welfare of Amesbury. He is almost always
moderator at the annual town meeting, a position which he fills accept-
ably to his fellow citizens; in public or private enterprise he is always at
the head, and he has served his town as a representative in the Legislature
with great credit. p

In politics he is a Democrat, fervently in love with the principles of
_]'efi‘“erson, and an ardent admirer of President Cleveland, whom he hopes
to see re-elected.

In more ways than one Mr. Huntington has manifested his desire to
benefit Amesbury, and his latest expression was grand, perpetuating as it"
did the name of oneof those sturdy yeomen who gave their names to the
Declaration of Independence of these United States: Josiah Bartlett, whose
birthplace was Amesbury, and who now has a statue erected to his mem-
ory in a public square. I

In his personality Mr. Huntington is open-hearted and frank. I-Ie de-
lights to meet his old friends and makes new ones, and as an entertainer
he excels. His friends are numerous and it is doubted if he has an enemy.
He is in vigorous health and his eye sparkles as in youth. A moustache
droops down over a firm mouth and chin, the former parting in a pleasant
smile as he converses. -

Day by day he greets his friends in Amesbury, encouraging this one
and helping the next, ever on the alert for an opportunity to do a kind
deed or help the community. May he live long to continue this good.

I

 

"TIFIE BARTLETT STATUE. 5-if

KARL GERHARDI

Karl Gerhardt, the sculptor of the Bartlett statue, is a native of Boston,
(of German parentage. He learned the trade of a machinis-t and first
-«worked with the American Mzmufacturing Company of Chicopee. In 1874

the went to California. On his return he was employed by the Pratt & '

‘Whitney Company as adesigner of machinery. While thus e»n_.<:aged he

 

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made a bust of his wife in his leisure hours, and subsequently a life—size

statue of a “Start1ed Bather.” .
These two worksnot only attracted the attention of the Hartford press,

A but so greatly interested Charles Dudley Waz‘ne1* and Samuel L. Clemens

that they requested J. QA. Ward, the eminent sculptor, to pay them a
visit and examine them. The object of this invitation was to ascertain

52 UNVEILING OF

whether the young amateur gave such proofs of talent that it would warrant
the attempt to raise a sum of money large enough to pay his expenses to
Europe and to educate him under the best masters of the art in Paris.

Mr. Ward’s opinion was emphatically in favor of the scheme. After
several efibzrts to enlist the co-operation of wealthy citizens had failed,
Mr. Clemens (Mark Twain) and his wife determined to assume _the ex-
pense themselves, both of travel and maintenance, a pledge which they
nobly redeemed, although the fact is known to few persons outside the
young sculptor’s personal friends.

On his arrival at Paris he successfully passed the preliminary exami-
nation. Among sixty competitors, most of them having been favorably

circumstanced to study“ the art, the self-taught Hartford sculptor was re-

corded as the twenty—eighth.

At the end of the first year Mr. Gerhardt received, in the annual exam-
ination, an honorable mention; at the end of the second year he was
received at the annual salon; and in 1884, the last year of his study
abroad, two pieces were received, “ Echo,” a marble statuette now in the
possession of Mark Twain, and “ Eve’s Lullaby,” a life—size group, which
received a diploma of honor at the World’s Exposition at New Orleans.

The Hartford correspondent of the New York Tribune thus speaks of
Mr. Gerhardt’s return to America in November, 1884.:

“ IIARTFORD, Comm, Nov. I.

The recent return to Hartford of Karl Gerhardt, the young sculptor‘

who has pursued his studies abroad for several years, recalls a romantic
story of his former residence here. He had then talent very little culti-
vated, great ambition, and a wife who believed in his future; but he had
no money, and no income from his profession. Things went badly with

him, and he was on the brink of despair. It was thefiolcl story of destitum,

tion and hopelessinability to make a start. The change to better circum-
stances was due wholly to his wife. She went to some people of culture
who were able to see the promise in Gerhardt’s work and who were
touched by the situation. The upshot of it was that a few of them be-
came so thoroughly interested as to furnish means for Gerhardt to go
abroad and study under first rate masters, and he has come back with a
good training in technique, and with the prospect of making good all the
hopes that were entertained of his future by those who first became inter-
ested in it. The whole story, with its details, sounds more like a chapter
from a romance than abit of modern prosaic life.”

In the days of March, when General Grant was believed to be near the
end of his life, and the whole American people were sympathetic watchers
of his suffering, it fortunately occurred to some of his friends to permit
Mr. Gerhardt to be present in the house, and make a quiet study of the
general as he sat in his chair or walked about his room. The result of
this permission was one of the most interesting and touching works of art

THE BARTLETT STATUE. , 

in this day. Its value is not simply that it is a striking likeness, but that
it represents the hero as he appeared to the American people, bearing
without a murmur the burden of accumulated mental and physical suffer-
ing. The sculptor made a bust a quarter lifewsize, but he so gave the mas-
sive quaiity of the gene:-al’s head that it has the effect of much larger
proportions. Usually a statuette is petty, and seems to belittle the char-
acter; but this small head had such a largeness and breadth of treatment
that it was perfectly satisfactory.

The bust was said to beso faithful that it aroused the admiration of the
general. The unfinished likeness was so good that while General Grant
was ill a friend took it to the family. The general saw and admired it,
and invited Gerhardt to visit him and complete the bust from life. Pres-
ently General Grant, glancing from the bust to the mirror, said: “Don’t
touch it again; it seems to me perfect.”

Mr.’ Gerhardt is they sculptor of the Nathan Hale statue for Hartford,
unveiled in June last; the equestrian statue of General Israel Putnam for
Brooklyn, Conn., declared to be his masterpiece; a $7,000 drinking foun-

tain ordered by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of‘

New York, to be erected in Waterbury; a bust of Mark Twain, a statue of

' General VVarren,la soldiers’ monument for Utica, N. Y., and many other

commissions of importance. Of this bust of Mark Twain   A. Ward,
the famous sculptor, writes: _“I liked your work very much; the bust of
Clemens is very strong.” a

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GEN. PU'rNAM:’s STATUE AT 1?vR.OOK2LYN, comm, GERHA.RDT’S MASTERPIECE.

UNVEILING on i 55

HON. ROBERT T. DAVIS.

I-Ion. R.  Spofford having been obliged, on account of ill health, to
decline the invitation to deliver the oration on the occasion of‘ the unveil-
ing of the statue, the committee was fortunate enough to secure the ser-
vices of Hon. Robert T. Davis of Fall River. to perform the service. Dr.
Davis was born in Belfast, Ireland, and at the early age of three years
was brought by his parents to Arnesbury. His father was a sturdy Pres-
byterian and his mother a Chiakeress, and the boy inherited their sterling

  

  
 

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_ HON. ROBERT 1*. DAVIS, THE ORATOR OF THE DAY.
qualities and profited by their teachings. The father was well versed in
the wool trade and for ‘many years purchased wool for the old Aubin mill,
which now stands on Main street opposite the post-ofiice, and is a part of

- the Hamilton corporation. - The young boy worked in the mill a part of

the" time and the remainder of the time attended the public school, and
subsequently studied medicine. ‘At the age of twenty he removed to

56 i THE BARTLETT STATUE.

Brunswick, Me., and practiced. After a few years he came back to Ames—

gbury and served from the town in both branches of the State Legislature.

He then removed to Fall River and practiced his profession there. Hav-
ing a natural aptitude for politics he became largely identified with the
political life of that city and vicinity, and with his native push and en-
thusiasm soon became a forceful factor in the politicslof that section of
the State and was made mayor of the city. He was called to many posi_
tions of trust, and is now serving his third term as a representative in

‘Congress. He is an accomplished scholar and a powerful orator. He

was a boy with the donor, J. R. Httntington, Esq., and a firm friendship
exists between them. Dr. Davis has amassed great wealth, the amount
of which is estimated at $500,000. p r

57

UN VEILING OF

JOHN S. POYEN, JR.

 

 
    

[From a Photograph -by Thotnpsom]

john Sauvier Poyen, ]r., the little 5-year-old lad who performed the act
of unveiling the Bartlett statue, is the only son of John S. and Fanny
(Huntington) Poyen of Amesbury, and the only grandson of J. R. Hunt»

ton, Esq.

mg

58 . THE BARTLETT ‘STATUE.

OHPXRLES H. DAVIS»

As. Karl Gerhardt is a young man whose talents have been brought out
by the kindness of a friend, so Mr. Huntington, the donor ‘of the statue,
has a protege of whom he is justly proud, in the person of Charles H.

Davis.

      

  
        
 
    
  

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Charles H. Davis, thirty~one years of age, is the son of James H.
Davis. Esq., who was for several years principal, of the Amesbury High
School, and who has also held several offices of trust in that town. Charley_
early showed a taste for drawing, and later developed an unmistakable
talent as an artist. J. R. Huntington, Esq., having seen some of his
work, determined to help him, and meeting him one day asked him in
his off-hand way how he would like to go to Paris and study, and made

_ an appointment with him to come and see him. This the young man,

thinking it a joke, failed to do,and,1\/Ir. Huntington meeting him again.
repeated the invitation, which was accepted, and at the meeting arrange-
ments were made for him to go to Paris and study, Mr. Huntington
kindly paying the expenses, which he continued to do for three years,
with the result that now he can point with pride to his protege as one of
the foremost of American artists. a

Mr. Huntington has at his home several works of Davisls, and expresses
himself as perfectly satisfied with his improvement, in view of the fact of
having given to the world an artist of whom his countrymen may well be
proud. Mr. Davis has married and settled down in Paris.

Mrs.

UNVEITLING OF 

   or BARTLE'TT,BLOOD.

The people whose names follow are the descendants of‘ Josiah Bartlett, l

'whose- statue was unveiled :

GRANDCI-IILDREN LIVING, JANUARY, 1888.
Mrs. Hannah Blaisdell, Alton, Ill. , Dr. EzraBart1ett,Washington.D.C

Dr. Levi Bartlett, Skaneateles, N.Y. 7

Dr. Stephen Madison

Bartlett,
Washington, D. C. ‘

OTHERS.

Mrs. judge John S. Conners, Cinw
cinnati, Ohio.

Levi S. Bartlett, Kingston, N. H.

Josiah Bartlett Calef, Mobile, Ala.

john F. Calef, Little Rock, Ark.

Josiah Calef Bartlett, Taunton,
Mass. A‘ A

Mrs. C. C. G. Thornton, Magnolia,
Mass.

George F. Calef, Saco, Me. A

Mrs. Thomas Cutts, Leavenworth,
Kan. a

Dr. j. E. Eastman, Harnpstead,
N H W

Walter C. Gale, Newton, N. H. A

Eliphalet C. Greeley, East Kings-
ton, N. H.

Charles F. Greeley, East Kingston,
N H

, Josiah. B.-Greeley, Ir-Iaverhill, Mass.

George Greeley, Raymond, N. H.
Miss Ella A. Bartlett, Kingston,

N. H. ..

Mrs. Daniel F. Merrill, Washing~

ton, D. C. ‘ -

Charles Henry Merrill, St.
Johnsbury, Vt.

Mrs. Charles I-Ienry Mervvin, Wash-
ington, D. C. A

Mrs. Amos G. Draper, Washing»
ton, D. C. - ‘

Mrs. Ellery A. Hibbard, Laconia,
N. H. » r

Mrs. O. T. Lougee, Laconia, N. H.

Miss A. L. Bell, Boston, Mass.

Jacob LeRoy Bell, I-Iaverhill, N. H.

Mrs. George F. Rollins, Pittsfield,
N. H.

Josiah Bartlett, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Rev. Daniel I{ollins,'Pittsfield, N.
H

George Bartlett, Boston, Mass.
Miss A. L. Blaisdell, Alton, Ill.
Charles F. Bartlett, New‘York City.
Edward T. Bartlett, New York City.
Mrs. W. W. Kellogg, Skaneateles,
N Y

Francis P‘. Bartlett, Vineland, N. 

Ezra A. Bartlett, Albany, N. Y.

George H. Bartlett, Western Park,
Kan.

E. W. Gale, St. John, N. B.

R. W. Gale, Montreal, Canada.

Ames L. Gale, Methuen, Mass.

Mrs. A. j. Tuxbury, Haverhill,
Mass. A

0. Eugene Chase, Athol, Mass.

James A. Gale, Athol, Mass.

Mrs; George A. Blunt, VVorcester,
Mass.

Mrs. William M. Ogilire, Charles-
ton, S. C. A

Mrs. Simeon Hyde, Charleston, S.
C

Mrs. s. P. Britton, Gaffney City,
S. C. « *'
Mrs. "Walter H. Oyimby, Haverhill,

Mass.

Mrs. William E. Pearson, Bradford, .

Mass.

Mrs. Eugene J. Tovvne, Athol, Mass.

Mrs. E. Moody Boynton, VVest
Newbury, Mass.

George H. Gale, Newburyport,
Mass.

Richard S. White, Franklin, Mass.

6o ‘ r ' THE BARTLETT STATUE.

OF BARTLETT BLOOD.-CONTINUED.

Mrs. H. E. Holt, Lexington, Mass.

Mrs. S. Prescott Bradley, Haverhill,
Mass.

Mrs. Charles Emerson, Exeter, N.
H

J. S. Greeley, Boston, Mass.

Mrs. William Nelson, East Kings-
ton, N. H.

Mrs. Sarah Eastman, Maiden. Mass.

Mrs. Charles Eastman, East Kings-
ton, N. H.

A. W. Greeley, Haverhill, Mass.

G. C. Greeley, Raymond, N. H.

L. B. Greeley, Exeter, N. H.

C. Elwin Greeley, Exeter, N. H.

C. B. Eastman, Malden, Mass.

E. B. Eastman, Maiden, Mass.

Miss Elcena Eastman, Malden,
Mass. .

Enoch B. Nelson, East Kingston,
N H

N. M.‘ Nelson, East Kingston, N.
H.
Miss Gussie Greeley, Chelsea,Mass.

Mrs. George Stickney, Elk Point,
D T . -

Ada B. Holt, Lexington, Mass.

Nellie ML Holt, Lexington, Mass.

Kittie C. Boynton, West Newbury,
Mass.

Alice G. Boynton, West Newbury,
Mass.

Abbie W. Boynton, West Newbury,
Mass.

Ethel H. Boynton, West Newbury.

Mass.
Mrs. A, J. Tewksbury, I-Iaverhill,
Mass.

Miss Mary H. Merrill, Washington, .
D C '

Daniel F.‘ Merrill, In, Washington,
D. C.

Miss Arianna Blaisdell, Alton, Ill.

Miss Anna Loring Bell, Boston,
Mass.

Miss Agnes S. Bartlett, Washing-
ton, D. C.

Miss Sallie A. Bartlett, Washing-
ton, D. C

JOSIAH BARTLETT’S RESTING-PLACE.

At Kingston, N. H., where Josiah Bartlett was stationed during his
medical practice, he died, and his body lies in the cemetery there, the
grave being neglected. The cemetery is old-«fashioned, and the stone
which marks the last resting-place of Mr. Bartlett is of the antique kind,
a tomb with a flat marble slab, on which is the following inscription :

This monument is erected

, over the sacred relics of
HIS EXCELLENCY, JOSIAH BARTLETT, ESQ._,
Late Governor of New Hampshire,

Who died May 19, I795.

In the 65th year of his age,

and

His virtuous wife andamiable consort,
MRS. MARY BARTLETT,

Who died July 124., 1789, in her 59th year.
Fragrant in the recollection of friends,
the most delightful flowers shall be
scattered over their valued remains.
When we recall the sacred spot to mind
the congenial tear shall sparkle in the
eye of sympathy and their virtues shall
be embalrned in the warm bosom of af-

fection.

UNVEILING or 61

PRESS COMMENTS.

The event called forth comment from newspapers all over the land, and
all united in praise forthe donor of the statue and for the motive which
prompted him to the deed.

The Boston Journal said:

“The statue of Governor Josiah Bartlett, which the liberality of a pub-
lic-spirited resident of Amesbury has erected, was yesterday delivered
with due impressive ceremonies into the care of the Commonwealth.
Governor Ames’ enforced absence was much regretted, but Lieutenant-
Governor Brackett acted in his stead and received the memorial in behalf
of Massachusetts. Mr. Whittier’s commemorative poem evidently came
out of a full heart. It was indeed iortunate that he could be spared to
write in his old age so beautiful and just a tribute to the fame of Amnes-
bury’s great son. The oration” of Dr. Davis was scholarly and sympa-
thetic. The presence ofa large body of the citizen soldiery and of a
throng of visitors contributed their share toward making the occasion a
memorable one for Amesbury and the surrounding country. In taking
this statue of one of the foremost of New England patriots into its keep-
ing, Massachusetts has performed an honorable duty in aworthy manner.”

The Newburyport Herald saidw:

“ It was a happy thought in J. R. Huntington of Amesbury, an honored
and wealthy citizen of that town, when be conceived the idea of perpetu-
ating the memory of Josiah Bartlett in enduring bronze. It may not have
entered his mind, but he accomplishes the fact as much nevertheless, of
handing down his own name to coming time, for as long as the statue
lasts the donor of it cannot be, and should not be, forgotten. The statue.
of life size, standing upon a granite base. represents Bartlett in the cos-
tume of his time, holding in one hand the Declaration of American Inde-
pendence and in the other the pen with which he signed. We don’t
know that another town in this county has so honored one of its sons.
Busts and portraits we have, but nothing to compare with this. Mr.
Huntington, who himself has an eye for what is beautiful in art, gave
much study to the model, and $25,000 he expended in the execution of the
work, which is all that could be desired. He presents it to the State of
Massachusetts,'a:nd the town of Amesbury gives the site for the statue in
one of its public squares.” _

The Newburyport Daily News said :

"‘ Today the list of famous and beautiful statues of which Massachusetts
has many, and of which she is justly proud, has been increased by a most
noble one, that of Josiah Bartlett, which was ‘unveiled yesterday at Arnes—
bury and formally presented to the State by the generosity of Jacob R.
Huntington. . J
' “ It must be conceded that the subject chosen by Mr. Huntington was a
most fitting person to be endured in manly bronze at a point where the
present generations could see the noble countenance and read of the hon-
orable and patriotic career. Josiah Bartlett, according to history, was a
most wise, liberty-loving and great-heartedtman, and he was fully alive to

62 ' THE iB‘AR."I‘1‘..ET’I‘ STATUE.

the sensibilities of the occasion when, with the other immortals, he put
his name to the Declaration of Independence, a document which in im-
portance and farwreaching influence has not been equalled for centuries.
Whether as a walker in the civil lines of life, or in the higher and more
responsible paths of statesmanship, Josiah Bartlettiwas erect in the self»
consciousness of dut_v—doing and in the strength that comes from a pure
mind. It is fitting that a statue of this strong and sirnpxle physician,
soldier, magistrate and statesman should stand in his native town of‘
Amesbury, and that the Commonwealth should be its perpetual guardian.
, “To him who has thus endowed the town, Amesbury owes very much.
Her works of art are so few that a glorious statue of this kind, exeinplify-r
ing a noble life and a fine art, adds not only to the beauty of the town,
but exerts an influence over thefiner sensibilities of its citizens. Jacob»
R. Huntington has many times shown his love for the town, but in no
way more wise and prominent than in this last gift. Though in his
modesty his name does not appear upon it in any way, long after he is
gone the imperishable granite and bronze will stand on Sparhawk square.
a monument to two men, one of old and one of modern times, who each,
though their duty in life differed, did his part well and rested upon laurels
well won.”