Josiah Atkins
Josiah Atkins was a 18th-century figure from Waterbury, Connecticut, whose life and thoughts are primarily documented in his diary, published posthumously in 1975. He served in the Revolutionary War from January to October 1781, initially in the infantry and later as a nurse. Atkins's writings reveal a man of modest education, with a reading scope that included texts beyond the King James Bible, highlighting his broader intellectual curiosity. His diary reflects his professional background, likely as a smith, and his growing interest in medicine, which is evident in his references to practices like bloodletting.
Atkins is also notable for his progressive views on slavery, expressing strong criticisms of prominent figures, including George Washington, for their contradictory stances on human rights. He shared personal insights about military events and showcased his deep religious devotion, which influenced much of his reflective writing. His life was tragically cut short at an estimated age of twenty-five or twenty-six, leaving behind a unique perspective on the social and moral issues of his time.
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Josiah Atkins
Nonfiction Writer
- Born: 1749 or 1755
- Birthplace: Waterbury, Connecticut
- Died: October 1, 1781
Biography
Born in the mid-1700’s, Josiah Atkins was a native of Waterbury, Connecticut. What is known of Atkins’s life is gleaned from his diary, which was published as The Diary of Josiah Atkins in 1975.
Atkins served in the military, first in the infantry and later as a nurse, during the Revolutionary War, starting in January of 1781. The diary records his life from that January to October of the same year, when he died. The language in his journal reflects that Atkins was not a classical scholar but the scope of his reading did extend beyond the King James Bible. It is presumed that Atkins worked as some sort of smith, even though he had an interest in medicine, often referring to bloodletting and other primitive therapies.
Atkins was the father of two children. It is assumed that he was twenty-five or twenty-six years old when he died. In his diary, Atkins wrote of the military maneuvers of George Washington, General Lafayette, and Colonel St. Simon. Atkins also wrote of his feelings against slavery and the hypocrisy of other people who spoke out against slavery but still held slaves on their plantations. He criticized George Washington for “pretend[ing] to stand for the rights of mankind. . . [but] delight[ing] in oppression.” Josiah Atkins’s deep devotion to God and his avid interest in medicine, which arose before he even became a nurse, were also frequent topics of his entries, especially later in life.