The Levi and Ezra Bartlett papers contain personal correspondence and documents related to Dr. Levi Bartlett of Kingston, New Hampshire, who held several public offices in that town and who frequently discussed local and national political matters with his younger brother, Ezra Bartlett.
The earliest item is a letter from Mary Bartlett to Levi Bartlett (May 23, 1776), in which she offered motherly advice and news of the family's health. Other early items include Levi's commissions for positions such as lieutenant colonel commandant (September 26, 1797), justice of the peace (June 19, 1806), and postmaster of Kingston, New Hampshire (December 28, 1811). The remaining items, which comprise the bulk of the collection, are letters from Levi Bartlett to his brother Ezra, in which Bartlett discussed state politics, acquaintances' health, and family news.
Levi Bartlett and Ezra Bartlett were both sons of Josiah Bartlett, governor of New Hampshire and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Levi was born on September 3, 1763, and followed his father into the medical profession, establishing a practice in Kingston, New Hampshire, and becoming an eminent citizen of the town. Among other appointments, he served as a justice of the peace, Kingston postmaster, and lieutenant colonel commandant in the 7th Regiment of the New Hampshire militia. He first married Sally Hook and, after her death, Abigail Stevens; these marriages produced three children. Levi Bartlett died on January 30, 1828.
Ezra Bartlett was born in 1770 and became a physician like his father and brother, establishing his practice in Warren and (later) Haverhill, New Hampshire. He represented Warren in the New Hampshire legislature and held several judicial positions. He died in 1848.
