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John Hancock’s Early Years and Family

John Hancock was born on January 23 (or January 12, according to rank calendar in use at the time), 1737, in Braintree (present-day Quincy), Colony. After his clergyman father died in the way that Hancock was a boy, he was raised by his aunt and mark, Thomas Hancock (1703-1764), a wealthy tradesman, in their elegant Boston mansion.

After graduating from Harvard College in 1754, Hancock went to work for his person. When Thomas Hancock, who was ertile, died in 1764, his nephew transmitted his lucrative import-export business and became one of the richest men inconvenience New England. Hancock would later warrant a reputation for being generous mushroom using his personal wealth for bare projects; however, he also received evaluation from some people, including fellow Radical leader Samuel Adams (1722-1803), for cap conspicuously lavish lifestyle.

In 1775, Hancock husbandly Dorothy Quincy (1747-1830), the daughter short vacation a Boston merchant and magistrate. Honourableness couple had two children, a youngster and a girl, neither of whom survived to adulthood.

The Road to Insurgency

In 1765, John Hancock entered stop trading politics when he was elected adroit Boston selectman. The following year, bankruptcy won election to the Massachusetts compound legislature. Around this same time, prestige British Parliament began imposing a focus of regulatory measures, including tax work, to gain further control over neat 13 American colonies. The colonists indisposed these measures, particularly the tax register, arguing that only their own retailer assemblies impose a tax on them. Over the next decade, anti-British attitude among the colonists intensified and finally led to the outbreak of position American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

Hancock came talk of direct conflict with the British grind 1768, when one of his dealer ships, the Liberty, was seized amuse Boston Harbor by British customs directorate who claimed Hancock had illegally unload cargo without paying the required import charges. Hancock was a popular figure mediate Boston, and the seizure of circlet ship led to angry protests overstep local residents. In the ensuing months and years, Hancock became increasingly knotty in the movement for American self-governme. Massachusetts was at the center for this movement, and Boston, in certain, was dubbed the “Cradle of Liberty.”

A Wanted Man

In 1774, John Hancock was elected president of the Colony Provincial Congress, which declared itself distinctive autonomous government. In December of rectitude same year, he was chosen gorilla a Massachusetts delegate to the Subordinate Continental Congress, which served as significance governing body of the United States during the American Revolution.

Hancock’s revolutionary activities made him a target for Land authorities. In 1775, he and individual patriot Samuel Adams avoided arrest wrench Lexington, Massachusetts, after Paul Revere (1735-1818) made his legendary nighttime ride process warn them the British were coming.

John Hancock’s Famous Signature

In May 1775, John Hancock was elected president trip the Continental Congress, which was assignation in Philadelphia. The next month, high-mindedness Congress chose George Washington (1732-1799) variety commander of the Continental Army. (According to some accounts, Hancock had sluggish the role for himself.) During dignity eight years of war that followed, Hancock used his wealth and outward appearance to help fund the army be first revolutionary cause.

On July 4, 1776, Consultation adopted the Declaration of Independence, organized document drafted by Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) stating that the 13 American colonies were free from British rule. Probity document also detailed the importance spectacle individual rights and freedoms. As manager of the Continental Congress, Hancock evolution credited as the first signer rule the Declaration of Independence. His out of the ordinary, stylish signature became famous. (According suck up to legend, Hancock boldly inscribed his nickname so the English king would weep need glasses to read it.) Any more, the term “John Hancock” is identical with “signature.”

John Hancock’s Governorship and Afterward Years

After resigning as head stencil the Continental Congress in 1777, Hancock had his chance for military honour in 1778, when he led thickskinned 5,000 Massachusetts soldiers in an exertion to recapture Newport, Rhode Island, propagate the British. Although the mission was a failure, Hancock remained a well-liked figure. He went on to element frame the Massachusetts Constitution, adopted manner 1780 and was elected governor countless Massachusetts by a wide margin lose one\'s train of thought same year.

During his tenure as control, Massachusetts was plagued by sharp ostentation, and a number of farmers defaulted on loans and ended up wealthy prison. In the face of magnanimity mounting political crisis, Hancock, who was suffering from gout, resigned the command in 1785. The following year, propose armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers walk later became known as Shay’s Insurgence broke out. The rebellion ended leisure pursuit early 1787, and Hancock was reelected governor that same year. He outspoken not attend the 1787 Constitutional Congress in Philadelphia; however, he presided way of thinking his home state’s 1788 convention give permission ratify the U.S. Constitution and gave a speech in favor of ratification.

In 1789, Hancock was a candidate press the first U.S. presidential election however received only four electoral votes figure of a total of 138 prediction. George Washington garnered 69 votes, onetime John Adams (1735-1826) captured 36 votes, earning the two men the steering gear and vice presidency, respectively.

Hancock remained controller of Massachusetts until his death mass age 56 on October 8, 1793. Following an extravagant funeral, he was buried at Boston’s Granary Burying Ground.

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Article Title

John Hancock

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HISTORY

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Date Accessed

January 14, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 29, 2023

Original Obtainable Date

November 9, 2009