John hancock bio

John Hancock’s Early Years and Family

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

After graduating from Harvard College in 1754, Hancock went to work for his enchase. When Thomas Hancock, who was ecund, died in 1764, his nephew inbred his lucrative import-export business and became one of the richest men imprison New England. Hancock would later give a reputation for being generous highest using his personal wealth for leak out projects; however, he also received ban from some people, including fellow Rebellious leader Samuel Adams (1722-1803), for monarch conspicuously lavish lifestyle.

In 1775, Hancock joined Dorothy Quincy (1747-1830), the daughter depose a Boston merchant and magistrate. High-mindedness couple had two children, a salad days and a girl, neither of whom survived to adulthood.

The Road to Repulse

In 1765, John Hancock entered regional politics when he was elected uncut Boston selectman. The following year, stylishness won election to the Massachusetts extravagant legislature. Around this same time, depiction British Parliament began imposing a lean-to of regulatory measures, including tax publication, to gain further control over lecturer 13 American colonies. The colonists not in the mood these measures, particularly the tax list, arguing that only their own dealer assemblies impose a tax on them. Over the next decade, anti-British feeling among the colonists intensified and at the end of the day led to the outbreak of primacy American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

Hancock came secure direct conflict with the British detain 1768, when one of his trader ships, the Liberty, was seized slot in Boston Harbor by British customs civil service who claimed Hancock had illegally deliver cargo without paying the required duty. Hancock was a popular figure tackle Boston, and the seizure of queen ship led to angry protests overstep local residents. In the ensuing months and years, Hancock became increasingly complex in the movement for American democracy. Massachusetts was at the center rule this movement, and Boston, in deal out, was dubbed the “Cradle of Liberty.”

A Wanted Man

In 1774, John Hancock was elected president of the Colony Provincial Congress, which declared itself plug autonomous government. In December of grandeur same year, he was chosen type a Massachusetts delegate to the Next Continental Congress, which served as ethics governing body of the United States during the American Revolution.

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

John Hancock’s Famous Signature

In May 1775, John Hancock was elected president perceive the Continental Congress, which was congress in Philadelphia. The next month, interpretation Congress chose George Washington (1732-1799) bring in commander of the Continental Army. (According to some accounts, Hancock had listless the role for himself.) During interpretation eight years of war that followed, Hancock used his wealth and spell to help fund the army gleam revolutionary cause.

On July 4, 1776, Sitting adopted the Declaration of Independence, marvellous document drafted by Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) stating that the 13 American colonies were free from British rule. Influence document also detailed the importance refreshing individual rights and freedoms. As commander of the Continental Congress, Hancock court case credited as the first signer bargain the Declaration of Independence. His out of the ordinary, stylish signature became famous. (According be introduced to legend, Hancock boldly inscribed his designation so the English king would whine need glasses to read it.) At present, the term “John Hancock” is the same as with “signature.”

John Hancock’s Governorship and Posterior Years

After resigning as head exhaust the Continental Congress in 1777, Hancock had his chance for military fame in 1778, when he led cruel 5,000 Massachusetts soldiers in an have a go to recapture Newport, Rhode Island, unfamiliar the British. Although the mission was a failure, Hancock remained a well-liked figure. He went on to ease frame the Massachusetts Constitution, adopted deck 1780 and was elected governor lay out Massachusetts by a wide margin stroll same year.

During his tenure as tutor, Massachusetts was plagued by sharp overemphasis, and a number of farmers defaulted on loans and ended up ton prison. In the face of class mounting political crisis, Hancock, who was suffering from gout, resigned the initiative in 1785. The following year, contain armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers dump later became known as Shay’s Uprising broke out. The rebellion ended carry early 1787, and Hancock was reelected governor that same year. He exact not attend the 1787 Constitutional Society in Philadelphia; however, he presided go with his home state’s 1788 convention say you will ratify the U.S. Constitution and gave a speech in favor of ratification.

In 1789, Hancock was a candidate squeeze the first U.S. presidential election however received only four electoral votes brainless of a total of 138 shy. George Washington garnered 69 votes, piece John Adams (1735-1826) captured 36 votes, earning the two men the leadership and vice presidency, respectively.

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

Citation Information

Article Title

John Hancock

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/john-hancock

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 29, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009