Josiah Bartlett (abt. 1813 - abt. 1893)

Born about 1813 in Garland, Penobscot, Maine, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Eliza Ann (Batchelder) Bartlett — married 23 Nov 1837 in Garland, Penobscot, Maine, United States

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile managers: John Clement [send private message] and Michelle Brown [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Bartlett Name Study.

Born 1813 Garland, Penobscot County, Maine. ^[1]

Marriage
Husband Josiah Bartlett.
Wife Eliza Ann Batchelder.
Marriage 23 NOV 1837. Garland, Penobscot County, Maine. ^[2]

Died 29 Nov 1893, Corinth, Maine ^[3]

Buried Evergreen Cemetery, Garland, Penobscot County, Maine. Directions. Entering Garland on route 94, going East, continue on Rt 94 a short distance. First left turn as you leave the village. This road runs parallel and north of Rt 94. Continue approx two miles, cemetery on left. Stone inscriptions:
Bartlett, Josiah, 1813-1893;
Eliza A., wife, b. 25 Oct 1811, d. 16 Jun1887;
John W., son, Co. A, ME S.S., wounded near Petersburg March 31, died 1 April 1865, 21 years, 8 months (Civil War casualty);
Charles J. 1853-1892. ^[1]

FindAGraveMemorial 57852046. ^[4]

Find A Grave: Memorial #57852046

Narrative:
In Garland, Maine, 23 November 1837, married by Elder N.J. Robinson, Josiah Bartlet, Jr. to Eliza Ann Batchelder, both of Garland (Morning Star, 13 December 1837).

Josiah talks of starting for California this spring; ain't that queer; he is the last person I should think of going ((Mary Jane (Bartlett) Johnson letter, 22 Feb 1857).

Eliza (Batchelder) Bartlett Eliza and family are well. We hear from Josiah about every mail. They are owing him about three hundred dollars for his work last summer but he cannot get a cent. He has not sent home but a hundred dollars. Eliza has the blues a good deal (ibid, 21 Mar 1858).

Josiah Bartlett had a habit of not putting a salutation on his letters and for a date, indicated only the month and day, not the year. He displays little affection for close family members, but he does show he is God fearing. In a letter with a date line of Oroville, Butte County, California, Sept 30, he writes: Here in California a rich man may become poor in one day or a poor man in a short time may become rich; and a fellow has to be on the lookout for there are many dishonest men and rouges. He worked seventy-one days constructing a flume for another party. He built himself a cabin; now I do my own cooking so that I can enjoy myself much better than with a hundred men. A pile of gold I shall get, I am bound to get if God gives me health. It is all luck and chance (Josiah Bartlett letter, 30 Sep).

The Indians, about two hundred in this place, have all been drove off on to a farm and made to work. They are a strange set of beings (ibid).

There are many here from other countries, one quarter probably are Chinese. Some are Jews. I bantered one to buy an article. I was told that Saturday is a holy day and to come tomorrow. But that is my holy day, I told her. She is quite a pretty woman (ibid).

I am waiting for some money. If I don't send it this mail, then on the steamer that goes next (ibid).

We had a letter from brother Josiah last week (perhaps the 30 Sept letter above). He is doing better and his health is good. He has sent money home and will send more by the next mail (Mary Jane (Bartlett) Johnson letter, 12 Oct 1859).

Josiah writes to his daughter Ellen Mariah (Bartlett) Clement, probably 16 October 1859. Again, no salutation, dateline San Francisco Cal. Oct. 16 From your Father: I am to work teaming horses through the city doing jobs on my own hook. There is a good deal building so I can find work most of the time (Josiah Bartlett letter, Oct.16).

Mrs. Clement I write to you in particular as to your duty. You have taken upon you the responsibilities of a wife to make the charge of a family. I hope you will occupy your place well (ibid).

The important thing is to have the Fear of God always before you and never forget to pray. Pray not only in secret but in the family. You and your husband must erect the family alter. As you have given your heart to each other, may you give them to the Lord (ibid).

Ellen, I hope you will remember that while it is said husbands love your wives, wives should be in subjection to their own husbands (ibid).

The foregoing letter was mailed to Ellen via her mother who adds an undated postscript: Ellen, I will write a few lines. I went down to your father Clements to Thanksgiving. Had a good time; I should felt better if you and Milford had been there. What made you break your promise. You told me you would not dance any more at jamboree (ibid).

Josiah sent home about ninety dollars this winter. He wrote he should be home in the year 1860 (Mary Jane Johnson letter, 19 Feb 1860).

Josiah appears in Garland for the 1860 U.S. Census, but by June 1861 it appears he is back in California. In a letter with a dateline of San Francisco, Ca. June 7th '61 he writes: I am happy, seated in the Watcher house writing in a large reading room. I have just returned from church called Lutheran. The war excitement is raging full bad enough on this side of the continent. Old men counsel young men for war. I hope John don't want to go (Josiah Bartlett, letter 7 Jun 1861).

In 1872, with a date line of Boston, Ezekial Page writes to his wife Sarah (Bartlett) Page (paraphrased): Your brother Josiah called here. He has been away from Maine since last May, working in Lowell and vicinity. He will be attending the Free Will Baptist quarterly meeting. He is returning to Maine soon (Page letter, 16 Oct 1872).

It is Sunday and Josiah has gone to meeting as he always does, rain or shine. He is gifted and makes me think of father when he talks or prays in meeting ((Mary Jane (Bartlett) Johnson letter, 24 May 1868).

Niece Ozella Bartlett writes to her Aunt Sarah (Bartlett) Page: Since returning from Texas, I found aunt Eliza (Batchelder) Bartlett much better than expected. You can judge when I tell you that last week she walked over here early in the morning; done quite a large washing for herself and uncle Josiah and walked back right after dinner. She came here to wash because she has not water without hauling (Ozella Bartlett letter, 16 Oct 1880).

Uncle Josiah is well and seems to have perfect health; he enjoys his meetings as much as ever. We all think aunt Eliza does not use uncle Josiah just right. You know she is a great talker, and says many things that she had better not say, about uncle J. All the neighbors are out of patience with her about it. Everyone thinks a great deal more of him than her. Uncle J. is peculiar, but he is a good man and speaks well if he says anything at all. I think aunt Eliza is insane about uncle J; she can't speak well of him or to him (ibid).

I enjoy visiting with aunt E. the same as ever, but when she begins to run on about uncle J., I change the subject as soon as possible (ibid).

Brother Josiah is well. Eliza is very slim; I don't think she will live through the spring, her cough is bad (ibid, 6 Apr 1879).

Josiah writes to unknown, perhaps sister Sarah Page, dateline Garland: We are all well as usual, growing old and soon to pass away. One generation passeth, another cometh. Such is the law of one Being from which there is no appeal. As to my temporal concerns, we have living and should be contented while having food and raiment (Josiah Bartlett letter, 17 Nov 1880).

Josiah is well, but Eliza is not well and is almost crazy (Mary Jane (Bartlett) Johnson letter, Mar 1882).

Brother Josiah is well, but Eliza is crazy or something like it. She does her work, is up nights, will get breakfast two or three o'clock and sit down and eat it. When Josiah gets up he must get his own breakfast. He is having a hard time (ibid, 29 Oct 1882).

We are well, my broken shoulder has healed. Mrs. Bartlett's mental faculties are not any better, but she is in good health physically (Josiah Bartlett to sister Sarah Page, 10 Feb 1885).

Son Charles J. Bartlett, in a letter dated Marlin, Texas 23 March 1889, writes to his niece Mae (Clement) Howe congratulating her on her marriage. Charles writes, "I knew Father would improve the first opportunity to visit you and I think by his letter that he enjoyed the visit very much. I suppose he gets very lonesome at home and is glad to get out." (Josiah's wife Eliza died 16 June 1887).
^{[5] [6] [7] [8]}

Census analysis: Compiler's note one: In each of the below, all household members are shown born in Maine, except Eliza born in Rhode Island.
1850 U.S. Census, Maine, Penobscot County, Garland, dwelling 171; Josiah Bartlett, 37, farmer; Eliza A.,38; Ellen M., 9; John W., 6.
1860 U.S. Census, same location, dwelling 126; Josiah Bartlett, 48, farmer; Eliza A., 48; John W., 16,farmer; Charles, 7.
1870 U.S. Census, same location, dwelling 189; Josiah Bartlett, 57, farm laborer; Eliza, 58; Chas J., 17,farm laborer.
1880 U.S. Census, same location, dwelling 199; Josiah Bartlett, 67, Baskett Maker (looks like); Eliza A.,68, wife; Chas F., 27, son, works Cotton Mill.
Compiler's note two: In the 1880 census schedule, birth place of parents is shown. For Josiah, father born New Hampshire, mother born Maine. For Eliza, father born New Hampshire, mother born Massachusetts. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Source: #S131 p. PE 859
2. ↑ Source: #S208 p. 18
3. ↑ "Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ3H-L3F: 2 March 2021),
4. ↑ Source: #S1301
5. ↑ Source: #S55
6. ↑ Source: #S663
7. ↑ Source: #S666
8. ↑ Source: #S771
9. ↑ Source: #S37

• Source: S37 U.S. Census schedules
• Source: S55 Compiler's knowledge, facts known to the compiler John Clement
• Source: S131 MOCA Inscription Project, Series One Publication: Maine Old Cemetery Association, Augusta, Maine, 1980
• Source: S208 Young, David C. and et al. Marriage and Divorce Records from Freewill Baptist Publications, 1819-1851 (Bowie, Maryland: Hertiage Books, Inc., 1994).
• Source: S663 Mary Jane (Bartlett) Johnson to her sister Sarah (Bartlett) Page, letter collecton. Transcription by Belinda B.Dapice in the possession of the compiler
• Source: S666 Josiah Bartlett letter collecton. Transcriptions by John Chandler Clement from the originals held by Adrian West.
• Source: S771 A collection of letters written to and from Sarah (Bartlett) Page from 1860 to 1883. Transcriptions by Belinda B.Dapice in the possession of the compiler
• Source: S1301 Find A Grave, online at http://www.findagrave.com/