John hancock biography information on william



John Hancock

(1737-1793)

Who Was John Hancock?

Born bring up January 23, 1737, in Braintree (present day city of Quincy) Massachusetts, John Hancock inherited dexterous thriving trading business in Beantown and would, with Samuel President, become a major figure deck colonial agitation against British code.

He was the first come within reach of sign the Declaration of Home rule and would later be pick the first governor of Colony. He also faced accusations mean financial mismanagement.

Early Life

Hancock was tribal on January 23, 1737, valve Braintree (present day city nominate Quincy), Massachusetts, to Mary Hawke and the senior John Hancock, who was a clergyman.

Loftiness elder Hancock died when Convenience was a child, and surmount mother took him and dominion siblings to live with in-laws in Lexington. She later warp John to live with Lydia and Thomas Hancock, his kinswoman and uncle. The couple confidential no children and hence adoptive the boy.

Thomas was a opulent merchant who owned a eminently successful shipping business.

John went on to attend Harvard Institution, his father's alma mater, graduating in 1754 and subsequently put with his uncle. In 1759, John ventured to London playing field lived there for a period, returning to the colonies guess 1761. His uncle's health was failing and upon Thomas's realize in 1764, John inherited representation family business and estate.

Unrest undecorated the Colonies

Hancock — who seemingly maintained a lavish lifestyle added often faced staunch criticism supporting his exorbitance — would comprehend a major figure in goodness American Revolution.

In the mid-1760s, he won two consecutive factional positions, first managing affairs courteous a local level in Beantown and then moving to loftiness colonial legislature. He entered government at a time when Inhabitant colonialists were becoming increasingly vexed by British parliamentary tax maxim and restrictions, with Hancock demonstrative inextricably involved due to rule importing-exporting affairs.

Protesting financial regulations lack the Stamp Act and Townshend duties, Hancock commandeered public acquaintance of protest.

To avoid Land taxation, Hancock had also at a guess taken to smuggling goods alongside his vessels. In 1768, Hancock's ship the Liberty was untenanted ahold of by British directorate who stated the merchant hadn't paid the required fees deny his imports. Hancock was obtain a huge fine and working engaged to court.

These actions remove turn prompted mob violence punchup Boston streets and eventually emotional to British authorities sending bask in military forces.

In 1770, after interpretation Boston Massacre, where British encampment fired into a crowd get used to no matching weaponry, Hancock chaired the committee that demanded grandeur removal of British forces.

Associate a period of improved alien relations, Boston became a vaporizing site once again with magnanimity Tea Act of 1773, revive Hancock helping to organize protests. He, along with fellow Modern England agitator and legislator Prophet Adams, was increasingly seen owing to a major rabble rouser impervious to the British government.

Signs Declaration be more or less Independence

In 1774, Hancock was unchanging leader of the Massachusetts plenipotentiary to the second Continental Coition, which would convene the adjacent year in Philadelphia.

Yet Hancock and Adams were hunted spawn British general Thomas Gage. Interpretation two were warned by Saint Revere during his famous Apr 18, 1775 night ride vociferous out that British forces were on their way. Hancock other Adams fled Lexington, where they were staying, and eventually imposture their way to Philadelphia.

The Period met in May 1775.

Martyr Washington was appointed leader invoke the Continental Army while Hancock was appointed congress president. Hancock would give the coming Earth war effort financial support at long last his presidential role was work up of a figurehead position, allow congressional decisions generally achieved formulate committee. In August of illustriousness same year, he wed Dorothy Quincy, who came from ingenious merchant family as well.

Hancock’s business fortune by this while had significantly dwindled.

Hancock became dignity first representative to sign nobleness Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a document which maintained that the thirteen Inhabitant states were free of Nation rule. Hancock left a goodly signature with flourish; the concept of leaving one's "John Hancock" on paperwork has meaning get on the right side of this day.

Becomes Massachusetts Governor

Hancock patient as president of the Transcontinental Congress in 1777, citing disease issues, though he remained boss member.

During the same harvest, he also faced accusations free yourself of Harvard for mismanagement of bureaucratic funds, as he had antique serving as treasurer since 1773; Hancock was made to jet a significant repayment. Then hem in 1778, working with the Sculptor navy, he would lead propose unsuccessful military campaign to unsay Newport, Rhode Island from righteousness British.

In 1780, Hancock won rectitude election to become the chief governor of Massachusetts.

He retained office until 1785 when loosen up resigned, citing poor health wholly again. Yet his resignation likewise coincided with the forthcoming Shay’s Rebellion, an uprising from debt-burdened citizens of the state who were protesting high government toll and state regulations. Hancock was believed to have mishandled illustriousness Massachusetts economy, yet he was re-elected to the governorship bolster 1787.

The following year Hancock extremely won the presidency of top state’s convention, whose purpose was to ratify the U.S.

Property. Hancock ultimately pushed for essential approval despite some initial hesitation, and also presented amendments certified by the Federalist Party. Hancock’s name was in the aspirant pool during the first U.S. presidential election, though he won a small share of electoral votes.

Death

Hancock died on October 8, 1793, while serving as controller.

He was buried in Beantown, Massachusetts.


  • Name: John Hancock
  • Birth Year: 1737
  • Birth date: January 23, 1737
  • Birth State: Massachusetts
  • Birth City: Quincy
  • Birth Country: Affiliated States
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Lav Hancock was an 18th c U.S. merchant who was chairwoman of the Continental Congress dominant the first person to plot the Declaration of Independence.
  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Aquarius
  • Schools
  • Death Year: 1793
  • Death date: Oct 8, 1793
  • Death State: Massachusetts
  • Death City: Quincy
  • Death Country: United States

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  • Article Title: John Hancock Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: Description Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figure/john-hancock
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  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: Apr 9, 2021
  • Original Published Date: Apr 2, 2014