John Hancock

John Hancock was a great American patriot and statesman, who was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was in a group of men who called themselves The Sons of Liberty whose goal was to let America be free. John was born in 1737. He was also a part of a Continental Congress from 1775 to 1780. This is what happened in John Hancock's life.

John Hancock was born in January 23, 2024 in Braintree, Ma. and was educated at Harvard College. After his graduation, he joined the mercantile firm of his uncle and guardian, the colonial Thomas Hancock. In 1764 he inherited the business and a substantial fortune. He was elected to the Massachusetts legislature in 1766. Hancock first became involved with the British government in 1768, when customs officials seized his sailing boat (sloop) 'Liberty' because he had unloaded a cargo of Madeira wine without paying import duties. His vigorous defense in lawsuits won him wide popularity among the anti-British elements in Massachusetts.

After the Boston Massacre of 1770, he served on the committee that demanded the removal of British troops from Boston. He was prominently identified with the colonial cause thereafter, working closely with the revolutionary patriot Samuel Adams in the leadership of the Patriot party in Massachusetts.

After the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 18-19, 1775, which began the American Revolution, he and Adams were specifically excluded from the general amnesty offered to the revolutionary leaders by the British two months later. The British considered them traitors, and wanted to hang them both. Hancock thought he would be chosen to select an Army to fight the British. John Adams instead selected Washington. He was disappointed not to be put in charge of the army. From 1775 to 1780 Hancock was a member of the Continental Congress, serving as President during the first two years. He signed the order naming Washington commander in chief. By virtue of this office, he was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was the first governor of the state of Massachusetts, holding that office 1780 to 1785 and from 1789 to 1793. Although he was first opposed to the federal Constitution, he later supported it and served as president of the Massachusetts

John Hancock led an interesting life. He was a person who was a leader, not a follower . He was a person who spoke his mind and man who fought for what he believed in. He died in Quincy on October 8, 1793. In conclusion, John Hancock was a person of the 1700's..

JOHN HANCOCK was the first Signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the richest men in America, born in Braintree, Massachusetts in 1737. At the age of seventeen, he graduated from Harvard College and entered his uncle's lucrative mercantile business. Upon the death of his uncle in 1764, he took control of what was reported to be the greatest fortune ever amassed in New England. He was twenty-seven years old.

In 1765 the Stamp Act was introduced. The Act imposed heavy taxes on every bill of lading, every legal document and every advertisement that would pass through Hancock's business. He accepted the tax at first, but soon became one of its most furious opponents. Hancock entered the patriot ranks in 1765 in opposition to the Stamp Act. He engaged in smuggling and one of his ships was seized in 1769. His opposition led to his association with Samuel Adams, and together they worked so hard for the cause of independence, that they were called outlaws. On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere's famous ride was made chiefly to warn Hancock and Adams of their impending arrest.

Hancock served as the president of the Massachusetts Provisional Congress from 1774 to 1775, and as president of the First and Second Continental Congresses from 1775 to 1777. Most delegates agreed that he was an excellent choice as president, as his experience in public business gave him ease and dignity. During his tenure as president of the Continental Congress in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. When the first printings of the Declaration of Independence were published, they bore only his name.

John Hancock married Dorothy Quincy and continued to sit as president of the Congress, moderating the debates from the floor for and against independence.

Following his period in Congress, from 1775 to 1780, he helped to frame the Massachusetts constitution and was elected as their first governor. He presided at the state convention, which ratified the Constitution. Hancock died in 1793 during his ninth term as governor, at the age of fifty-six.

Address leaf panel free franked "John Hancock" by him at lower left and addressed in his hand "To The Honorable General Ward & General Thomas at Cambridge & Roxbury." The panel measures approximately 4 ľ by 3 Ľ inches oblong. Undated, but certainly 1775 or 1776 because Ward and Thomas were both commissioned in the spring of 1775; General Thomas left Roxbury on March 22, 2024 and died that June in Canada. This is an unusual John Hancock signature as it lacks the flourish of other letters and documents signed at this crucial time in his presidency of the Congress.

Autograph letter signed ("J Hancock"), 1 page (7 ˝ x 6 in.; 190 x 152 mm), Boston, 22 December 1756, to his younger brother, Ebenezer; with integral address leaf, lightly foxed, address leaf with small seal hole and remnants of former mounting, small seal hole, remnants of red wax seal.

"My Dear Brother, have sent you a pair of Shoes, wh[I]c[h] hope will suit you; Let me hear from you. We are all very well. Don't wear them Shoes of mine any longer, for they look Scandalously. I am, your Loving Brother, J Hancock "

Ebenezer Hancock was evidently following in his older brother's footsteps and studying at Harvard as the letter is addressed to: "Mr. Ebenezer Hancock / Student of Harvd College / Atthe Revd Mr. Appleton's / in Cambridge."

The phraseology “Taxes … are imposed upon the people without their consent” is the best one could hope for in the early rhetoric of the American Revolution. The “no taxation without representation” slogan sounds good orally, but would be completely out of character in writing of the period..

This “No Taxation” document pictured below is AAA in importance because John Hancock was the only “signer” to actually sign the Declaration in July of 1776 (The other members signed August the 2^nd 1776). He was the President of Continental Congress and a key force in making Independence a reality. While historians can argue whether John Adams, Samuel Adams, or James Otis, was more important at the beginning of the revolution, Hancock is without question valued more highly.

The issue of taxation without representation was first raised by James Otis in 1764, but the only documents of similar content that have been on the market are a few printed pamphlets from 65 through 1768. None are signed. Furthermore, broadsides are generally much more valuable than pamphlets. The Dunlap broadside of the Declaration is now worth more than $8.1 million unsigned with 25 copies known to exist. This printed one sided Hancock document is signed and only two others are known to exist.

Most importantly, this particular document had a demonstrable effect – it changed the world!

In response to the Boston Town meeting that issued this document, the governor called for British reinforcements (noted in the third paragraph). Also as a direct consequence of this document, the meeting called for here took place in Faneuil Hall on September 23 to September 28, 1768, with 96 towns answering Hancock’s call.

On the final day of the meeting, warships arrived in Boston with the first British reinforcements, and on October 1 two regiments arrived from Halifax, effectively beginning British occupation of its own colony. British troops stayed in Boston until forced to evacuate in March 1776.

This is a document that can be read and studied in Socratic detail. In one page this John Hancock Document represents all the issues leading to independence. Taxation, commercial differences between the parent country and colonies in a mercantilist system, opposition to a standing army in time of peace, the right to petition “expressly recognized at the glorious Revolutions as the Birthright of an Englishman,” dissolution of American assemblies, anger at clumsy British Colonial Office threats, fear of France, popular calls for conventions such as this (culminating in the Continental Congress), local democracy, etc…

Even the inconsistencies of the patriots can be studies through this document. Was it fair to say everyone must arm in fear of imminent war with France, but also complaining about British troops that would protect you? And irony using France as the big-bad-wolf, soon to be America’s most importantly ally. And what happened later to the right to petition, if the purpose of the petition was to oppose slavery?

There is no more important precursor to the Declaration of Independence in private hands today than this John Hancock document. It is extremely rare with copies only in the Massachusetts Historical Society, New York Historical Society, and the Morgan Pierpont Library in New York. Virtualology is proud to present a document that is truly on a par historical and monetary value of the unsigned July 1776 broadsides of the Declaration of Independence.

“Taxes equally detrimental to the Commercial interests of the Parent Country and her Colonies, are imposed upon the People, without their Consent…”

Circular Letter Signed “John Hancock,” also signed “Joseph Jackson,” “John Ruddock,” “John Rowe,” and “Samuel Pemberton” as Selectmen of Boston, to the Selectmen of Petersham, one page; Boston, September 14, 1768.

“YOU are already too well acquainted with the _hreatenin [sic] and very alarming Circumstances to which this Province, as well as America in general, is now reduced. Taxes equally detrimental to the Commercial interests of the Parent Country and her Colonies, are imposed upon the People, without their Consent; - Taxes designed for the Support of the Civil Government in the Colonies, in a Manner clearly unconstitutional, and contrary to that, in which ‘till of late, Government has been supported, by the free Gift of the People in the American Assemblies or Parliaments; as also for the Maintenance of a large Standing Army; not for the Defence [sic] of the newly acquired Territories, but for the old Colonies, and in a Time of Peace. The decent, humble and truly loyal Applications and Petitions from the Representatives of this Province for the Redress of these heavy and very _hreatening [sic] Grievances, have hitherto been ineffectual…The only Effect…has been a Mandate…to Dissolve the General Assembly, merely because the late House of Representatives refused to Rescind a Resolution of a former House, which imply’d nothing more than a Right in the American Subjects to unite in humble and dutiful Petitions to their gracious Sovereign, when they found themselves aggrieved…

“The Concern and Perplexity into which these Things have thrown the People, have been greatly aggravated, by a late Declaration of his Excellency Governor BERNARD, that one or more Regiments may soon be expected in this Province…

Historical Background: Following their failure to enforce the Stamp Act and the Quartering Act (forcing Americans to house British troops) of 1765, the British Parliament tried again in 1767 by imposing the Townsend Acts that disbanded the New York legislature until they complied with the Quartering Act, and imposed duties on lead, paint, paper, glass, and tea.

In February, Samuel Adams and James Otis drafted – and the Massachusetts Assembly adopted – a circular letter to the other American Assemblies protesting these taxes. They expressed the hope that redress could be obtained through petitions to King George III, and called for a convention to discuss the problem and draft petitions to the Crown. The British government, however, provoked a confrontation by ordering the Massachusetts Assembly to rescind the letter and ordered Governor Bernard to dismiss the assembly if they refused.

As this circular letter clearly indicates, both contingencies came to pass. In the wake of political opposition and mob violence in Boston, Governor Bernard asked for British protection. The Convention called for in this letter was held on September 23 to 28 in Faneuil Hall, with 96 Massachusetts towns represented. On its final day, English warships arrived in Boston Harbor with the first British reinforcements. The convention composed a list of grievances, passed several resolutions, and adjourned. Two days later, royal transports unloaded British troops at the Long Wharf and began a military occupation of Boston that would last until March 17, 1776.

We invite you to read a transcription of the complete text of the Declaration as presented by the National Archives.

The article "The Declaration of Independence: A History," which provides a detailed account of the Declaration, from its drafting through its preservation today at the National Archives.

Virtualology welcomes the addition of web pages with historical documents and/or scholarly papers on this subject. To submit a web link to this page CLICK HERE. Please be sure to include the above name, your name, address, and any information you deem appropriate with your submission.

Unauthorized Site: This site and its contents are not affiliated, connected, associated with or authorized by the individual, family, friends, or trademarked entities utilizing any part or the subject’s entire name. Any official or affiliated sites that are related to this subject will be hyper linked below upon submission and Virtualology's review.

John Hancock

President of the Continental Congress

At the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Start your search on John Hancock.

About Us