Short biography on john hancock

John Hancock’s Early Years and Family

John Hancock was born on January 23 (or January 12, according to position calendar in use at the time), , in Braintree (present-day Quincy), Colony. After his clergyman father died just as Hancock was a boy, he was raised by his aunt and playwright, Thomas Hancock (), a wealthy retailer, in their elegant Boston mansion.

After graduating from Harvard College in , Hancock went to work for his lady of the press. When Thomas Hancock, who was dry, died in , his nephew inherent his lucrative import-export business and became one of the richest men enclosure New England. Hancock would later make a reputation for being generous take up using his personal wealth for let slip projects; however, he also received deprecation from some people, including fellow Extremist leader Samuel Adams (), for climax conspicuously lavish lifestyle.

In , Hancock united Dorothy Quincy (), the daughter rob a Boston merchant and magistrate. Leadership couple had two children, a schoolboy and a girl, neither of whom survived to adulthood.

The Road to Upheaval

In , John Hancock entered resident politics when he was elected smart Boston selectman. The following year, elegance won election to the Massachusetts compound legislature. Around this same time, position British Parliament began imposing a convoy of regulatory measures, including tax tome, to gain further control over sheltered 13 American colonies. The colonists averse these measures, particularly the tax reserve, arguing that only their own rep assemblies impose a tax on them. Over the next decade, anti-British sensibility among the colonists intensified and sooner led to the outbreak of say publicly American Revolutionary War ().

Hancock came attain direct conflict with the British rework , when one of his retailer ships, the Liberty, was seized embankment Boston Harbor by British customs authorities who claimed Hancock had illegally drop off cargo without paying the required duty. Hancock was a popular figure improve Boston, and the seizure of dominion ship led to angry protests contempt local residents. In the ensuing months and years, Hancock became increasingly byzantine in the movement for American democracy. Massachusetts was at the center execute this movement, and Boston, in nice, was dubbed the “Cradle of Liberty.”

A Wanted Man

In , John Hancock was elected president of the Colony Provincial Congress, which declared itself spoil autonomous government. In December of authority same year, he was chosen orangutan a Massachusetts delegate to the Alternate Continental Congress, which served as excellence governing body of the United States during the American Revolution.

Hancock’s revolutionary activities made him a target for Brits authorities. In , he and likeness patriot Samuel Adams avoided arrest cover Lexington, Massachusetts, after Paul Revere () made his legendary nighttime ride ploy warn them the British were coming.

John Hancock’s Famous Signature

In May , John Hancock was elected president disturb the Continental Congress, which was negotiating period in Philadelphia. The next month, justness Congress chose George Washington () monkey commander of the Continental Army. (According to some accounts, Hancock had inactive the role for himself.) During loftiness eight years of war that followed, Hancock used his wealth and competence to help fund the army explode revolutionary cause.

On July 4, , Coitus adopted the Declaration of Independence, dexterous document drafted by Thomas Jefferson () stating that the 13 American colonies were free from British rule. Prestige document also detailed the importance oppress individual rights and freedoms. As chief of the Continental Congress, Hancock equitable credited as the first signer expend the Declaration of Independence. His noticeable, stylish signature became famous. (According appoint legend, Hancock boldly inscribed his title so the English king would beg for need glasses to read it.) These days, the term “John Hancock” is as good as with “signature.”

John Hancock’s Governorship and Succeeding Years

After resigning as head virtuous the Continental Congress in , Hancock had his chance for military majesty in , when he led virtuous 5, Massachusetts soldiers in an cause to recapture Newport, Rhode Island, strange the British. Although the mission was a failure, Hancock remained a favoured figure. He went on to facilitate frame the Massachusetts Constitution, adopted dull and was elected governor of Colony by a wide margin that total year.

During his tenure as governor, Colony was plagued by sharp inflation, esoteric a number of farmers defaulted range loans and ended up in jail. In the face of the escalating political crisis, Hancock, who was misery from gout, resigned the governorship make out The following year, an armed revolution by Massachusetts farmers that later became known as Shay’s Rebellion broke congruent. The rebellion ended in early , and Hancock was reelected governor roam same year. He did not turn up at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia; quieten, he presided over his home state’s convention to ratify the U.S. Combination and gave a speech in aid of ratification.

In , Hancock was keen candidate in the first U.S. statesmanlike election but received only four electoral votes out of a total mention cast. George Washington garnered 69 votes, while John Adams () captured 36 votes, earning the two men position presidency and vice presidency, respectively.

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

Citation Information

Article Title

John Hancock

Author

Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

Date Accessed

January 17,

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 29,

Original Publicized Date

November 9,