John Hancock

John Hancock was born on January 23, 1737 in Quincy, Massachusetts to Reverend John Hancock and Mary Hawke Thaxter. As a child, he was acquainted with John Adams and they became friends. He was sent to live with his wealthy uncle, Thomas Hancock, after his father died in 1744. While he lived with his uncle, he attended the Boston Latin School and graduated in 1750. He then attended Harvard and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1754 at the age of 17. “He apprenticed to his uncle as a clerk and proved so honest and capable that, in 1760, he was sent on a business mission to England.” On his trip, he was involved with “...some of the leading businessmen of London.” Hancock inherited his uncle’s business after he died and became a very wealthy merchant. His wealth caused him to be part of a society made up of male loyalists. However, after being falsely charged of smuggling by British officials, Hancock’s ship Liberty was taken from him. He “...felt the seizure was unfair and soon became a vocal critic of the British policies.”

John Hancock’s involvement in the Revolution started with the unjust seizing of Liberty, his merchant ship. He saw that the British were unjust and treated the Americans unfairly, causing him to become “...very involved in revolutionary politics…”. “...Hancock joined forces with the Sons of Liberty to actively oppose British influence in the colonies.” After the Stamp Act was enacted, the revolutionists already felt suppressed by all of the British’s taxes. Some, including John Hancock, “...made a small fortune on smuggled tea…” He supported the Sons of Liberty by taking part in the Boston Tea Party, dumping British tea into the Boston Harbor in an act of defiance.

His involvement in the Boston Tea Party proved that he had leadership qualities and showed his commitment to a cause. His leadership caused him to be “.. elected to serve as President of both Continental Congresses.” British soldiers were sent to Lexington to arrest those involved in the Revolution as well as the weapons being stored in Concord. And because of Paul Revere’s warning of the British, Hancock successfully able to flee before being captured. He was reluctant to flee at first because of his wanting to join the Minutemen. “Shortly after the battles of Lexington and Concord…”, Hancock joined the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was the first to sign, showing that he was not afraid of the British’s consequences.

Throughout John Hancock’s life, he dedicated himself to the revolution. With his wealth, he supported the rebels as much as he could. His involvement in the revolution included being a member of the Provincial Legislature from 1766 to 1772, the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1778, President of the Provincial Congress, President of the Congress, the Massachusetts Continental Congress, and Governor of Massachusetts.