10. Facts And Information About John Hancock. Though the fines were never collected, neither was Hancock's ship returned. But how much do you know about the former president of the Continental Congress? On October 26, 1774, the First Continental Congress ended its initial session in Philadelphia with a list of rights belonging to…. In England he witnessed the pageantry unfurled for the new king, George III, but he was not enthralled by life in the imperial capital and returned to his Boston mansion. 4. Hancock hated the fact that his wealth was being taxed without representation, so he fought for his own reasons and helped to shape a country in doing so. In 1785 Hancock admitted that he still owed his alma mater £1, 054—a sum eventually paid by his heirs. It’s said that Hancock signed his name so large because he wanted the King to see it, but this isn’t true. However, when the tide of public opinion became clear, he announced that he was totally committed to the patriot cause, even if it cost him his life and his fortune. Young Hancock graduated from Harvard at the age of 17. John Hancock was adopted by his paternal uncle Thomas Hancock and his wife Lydia Henchman when his father died. Just because Hancock was from a wealthy family doesn’t mean that everything was just handed to him. Like most public men, Hancock had enemies. John Hancock is a well-known name in the History of America. The British seizure of one of his smuggling vessels, the Liberty, became a cause célèbre and made him a popular hero. 6. Hancock graduated from Harvard in 1754, served for a time in his uncle's office as a clerk, and went to London in 1760 as the firm's representative. More from the National Constitution Center, © Copyright 2020 National Constitution Center, Founding Stories of America’s Founding Documents, How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again, On this day: The First Continental Congress concludes. However, his one opportunity—in the Rhode Island campaign of 1778—was undistinguished. John Hancock, smuggler? William T. Baxter, The House of Hancock: Business in Boston, 1724-1775 (1945), is a specialized study. His wealth would have generally made him a loyalist instead, but his sympathies were with independence. January 12, 1736] – October 8, 1793) was an American merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution.He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration … Meanwhile, Hancock had married Dorothy Quincy in August 1775. He received more votes than Samuel Adams in the next General Court election. While Hancock wasn’t on a ship tossing tea overboard, he was at meetings when outrage was vented at the British. Later prominent in the Continental Congress, he was elected Massachusetts governor for nine terms. Hancock was embarrassed in 1777, when Harvard College sought to regain its account books and funds. 8. John Hancock and his signature are two of the best-known elements related to the Declaration of Independence. British military and revenue policies after 1768 were exploited by Samuel Adams and other anti-British agitators. Here are 10 facts about the man whose name is now synonymous with impressive signatures. It’s not true that Hancock signed the Declaration in a big way to taunt the King of England. Originally from Massachusetts, his family had built up a massive fortune from the shipping business between Europe and the colonies. But a homesick Hancock left Congress in 1777 to return to Massachusetts. A little more than a year later, Hancock was the first to sign the document declaring independence. Hancock did take a big risk: His signature was evidence of treason if things didn’t go well in the war! Facts about John Hancock John Hancock (January 12, 1737 – October 8, 1793) was an American leader, politician, writer, political philosopher and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Hancock raised money for the Revolution, he helped secure troops, and he played a role in getting naval forces organized. In fact, Hancock may have been the richest man in New England when he inherited a shipping fortune. But Hancock's mercantile ventures soon led to evasive tactics that were, in fact, smuggling. Facts about John Hancock The following facts about the life of John Hancock provide interesting facts and an overview and description of the life and times and his involvement in the American Revolutionary War. When his uncle died in 1764, Hancock inherited property worth almost £70, 000. After Hancock’s uncle died, he would become the richest man in all of New England. Then Hancock resigned as president in October 1777, pleading ill health. John Hancock is unique in American history because of the fact that he was a patriot. Find out about upcoming programs, exhibits, and educational initiatives on the National Constitution Center’s website. With his wealth and social standing, Hancock should have been a leading member of an elite group that didn’t want independence. 3. The Boston Massacre of 1770 increased colonial animosity and established a tension that was nurtured by the militant patriots. His signature is simply an indication of his position as president. The Interactive Constitution is available as a free app on your mobile device. His wealth would have generally made him a loyalist instead, but his sympathies were with independence. Because of his wealth and position, the English saw his conduct as a deep betrayal. Hancock was a behind-the-scenes force early in the American Revolution. By 1775 his name was synonymous with American radicalism. And only one other person was in the room when he signed it, unlike in that famous painting that shows a gaggle of patriots witnessing the event. Hancock hated the fact that his wealth was being taxed without representation, so he fought for his own reasons and helped to shape a country in doing so. In the rush of later events, as the Boston Tea Party of 1773 brought on more coercive laws and, finally, the Boston Port Bill of 1774, Hancock's reputation mounted. The best biography of Hancock is Herbert S. Allan, John Hancock: Patriot in Purple (1948). Well, he may have been an importer, too, but goods like tea that arrived in New England on Hancock’s ships may have escaped paying a duty. Here is what you need to know about him. Meanwhile, he was threatened

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