John Hancock (1737-1793) was born into a family of ministers outside of Boston. Unfortunately, his father died when he was seven and his mother could not afford to support the family on her own. They moved in with Hancock’s grandparents, but shortly after he was sent to Boston to live with his Uncle Thomas in order to get a better education. His uncle was one of the wealthiest merchants in New England. Hancock attended Harvard like many others of his time. He was known for being a great student, but at times he was late for class because he stayed out too late the night before. After graduation, he was honored by becoming the treasurer for Harvard College. The position caused trouble for him though. Harvard accused him of not returning funds to Harvard when he was away dealing with the Revolutionary War. He ended up returning some funds and then later his heirs returned more upon his death.

After his uncle’s death, he inherited his fortune. Hancock was a charitable man and very well liked because of it. Since the community liked Hancock so much he became entrenched in politics before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. He was known for smuggling contraband goods into Boston and even had one of his ships (Liberty) seized for the smuggling operation. He served as a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congress, was President of the Second Continental Congress, and was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.  During the battle at Lexington, Hancock was in the town and wanted to fight. He was held back because of his role in the government. After the Revolution, he became the first Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where he served nine terms and died in office. When President Washington came to Boston, everyone met him but Governor Hancock. He thought President Washington should go to him, but instead Hancock eventually went to him. Reports say the two had a lot of tension, but it could not have been too bad because Hancock named his son John George Washington Hancock. 

By: Jessica McKenzie 

Credits and Sources:

Fowler, William M. Jr. “John Hancock.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed September 16, 2016. http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/john-hancock/

Ireland, Corydon. “Our Signature 1776 Revolutionary: John Hancock’s Role as Treasurer Left an Uneasy Harvard.” Harvard Gazette. June 28, 2013. Accessed September 16, 2016. http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2013/06/our-signature-1776-revolutionary/

Luo, Judy. “John Hancock (1737-1793).” Constitutional Rights Foundation. Accessed September 16, 2016. http://www.crfcelebrateamerica.org/index.php/holiday-heroes/86-john-hancock

Moran, Donald N. “John Hancock: The Man Behind the Signature.” Sons of Liberty Chapter: Sons of the American Revolution. Accessed September 16, 2016. http://www.revolutionarywararchives.org/hancock.html