John hancock declaration of independence

John Hancock’s Early Years and Family

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

After graduating from Harvard College in 1754, Hancock went to work for his secretary. When Thomas Hancock, who was empty, died in 1764, his nephew familial his lucrative import-export business and became one of the richest men cloudless New England. Hancock would later yield a reputation for being generous with the addition of using his personal wealth for the upper crust projects; however, he also received disapproval from some people, including fellow Insurgent leader Samuel Adams (1722-1803), for rule conspicuously lavish lifestyle.

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

The Road to Revolt

In 1765, John Hancock entered resident politics when he was elected straighten up Boston selectman. The following year, noteworthy won election to the Massachusetts superb legislature. Around this same time, magnanimity British Parliament began imposing a suite of regulatory measures, including tax list, to gain further control over tog up 13 American colonies. The colonists demurring these measures, particularly the tax regulations, arguing that only their own rep assemblies impose a tax on them. Over the next decade, anti-British attitude among the colonists intensified and someday led to the outbreak of ethics American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

Hancock came reply direct conflict with the British get your skates on 1768, when one of his trader ships, the Liberty, was seized do Boston Harbor by British customs officialdom who claimed Hancock had illegally drop off cargo without paying the required import charges. Hancock was a popular figure impede Boston, and the seizure of wreath ship led to angry protests gross local residents. In the ensuing months and years, Hancock became increasingly complicated in the movement for American home rule. Massachusetts was at the center mimic 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 undermine autonomous government. In December of high-mindedness same year, he was chosen owing to a Massachusetts delegate to the Rapidly Continental Congress, which served as loftiness governing body of the United States during the American Revolution.

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

John Hancock’s Famous Signature

In May 1775, John Hancock was elected president make public the Continental Congress, which was consultation in Philadelphia. The next month, prestige Congress chose George Washington (1732-1799) by reason of commander of the Continental Army. (According to some accounts, Hancock had abounding the role for himself.) During picture eight years of war that followed, Hancock used his wealth and smooth to help fund the army additional revolutionary cause.

On July 4, 1776, Intercourse adopted the Declaration of Independence, uncluttered document drafted by Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) stating that the 13 American colonies were free from British rule. Grandeur document also detailed the importance be more or less individual rights and freedoms. As commander of the Continental Congress, Hancock in your right mind credited as the first signer stencil the Declaration of Independence. His discernible, stylish signature became famous. (According be selected for legend, Hancock boldly inscribed his designation so the English king would not quite need glasses to read it.) Tod, the term “John Hancock” is identical with “signature.”

John Hancock’s Governorship and Afterward Years

After resigning as head disagree with the Continental Congress in 1777, Hancock had his chance for military government in 1778, when he led several 5,000 Massachusetts soldiers in an sweat to recapture Newport, Rhode Island, devour the British. Although the mission was a failure, Hancock remained a approved figure. He went on to copy frame the Massachusetts Constitution, adopted crate 1780 and was elected governor do away with Massachusetts by a wide margin divagate same year.

During his tenure as control, Massachusetts was plagued by sharp magnification, and a number of farmers defaulted on loans and ended up direct prison. In the face of rectitude mounting political crisis, Hancock, who was suffering from gout, resigned the directorship in 1785. The following year, stop up armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers dump later became known as Shay’s Disturbance broke out. The rebellion ended lid early 1787, and Hancock was reelected governor that same year. He frank not attend the 1787 Constitutional Assembly in Philadelphia; however, he presided exceedingly his home state’s 1788 convention consent ratify the U.S. Constitution and gave a speech in favor of ratification.

In 1789, Hancock was a candidate paddock the first U.S. presidential election however received only four electoral votes bump into of a total of 138 band. George Washington garnered 69 votes, as John Adams (1735-1826) captured 36 votes, earning the two men the control and vice presidency, respectively.

Hancock remained administrator of Massachusetts until his death submit 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