John Hancock

Picture of John Hancock

Picture of John Hancock

This article on  the biography and life of John Hancock, a patriotic leader of the Sons of Liberty provides facts and information about:

  • Who was John Hancock?
  • What was his involvement in the American Revolutionary War?
  • A patriotic leader of the Sons of Liberty
  • Life and Biography of John Hancock
  • Interesting facts and fast information about John Hancock, famous as a political activist and patriot
  • Educational resource for teachers and kids
  • He was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence
  • A Massachusetts Patriot
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The colonization of America and interesting facts about the life of John Hancock, a patriotic leader of the Sons of Liberty

Short Biography and Life of John Hancock

This article contains a short biography and over 30 fast facts and information about John Hancock. Who was John Hancock and why was he famous? John Hancock was an extremely wealthy American Patriot based in Boston who played a major role in the events leading up to, and following, the American Revolution. He was a leader of the Sons of Liberty a secret, underground organization that was founded in Boston by Samuel Adams and John Hancock in July 1765 following the introduction of the Stamp Act. His ship, the Liberty, was seized by the British following the provisions of the Townshend Acts John Hancock avoided arrest by the British due to the warning he received from Paul Revere on is famous midnight ride. John Hancock was president of the first and second provincial congresses, president of the Continental Congress and was elected Massachusetts governor nine times. The Signature of John Hancock was the first to be added to the Declaration of Independence .

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.

Facts about the Life of John Hancock

Fact 1John Hancock was born on January 23, 1737
 
 
Fact 2His place of birth was Braintree, Massachusetts
 
 
Fact 3His father was the Reverend John Hancock of Braintree 1702 - 1744, a Congregationalist minister
 
 
Fact 4His mother was Mary Hawke Thaxter, who was born August 15, 1667, died May 8, 1752
 
 
Fact 5His father was a well educated man who had attended Harvard. He became the pastor of the church of the North Precinct, Braintree, Massachusetts
 
 
Fact 6John Hancock's father died when he was only 7 years old - he was raised his grandfather and then by his uncle. He was a boyhood friend of John Adams. Hancock was known as Johnny when he was a boy.
 
 
Fact 7When John Hancock was 13 he was adopted by his extremely wealthy uncle and aunt, Thomas and Lydia Hancock. They had no children of their own and John Hancock later took over the family business, called the the House of Hancock, of Imports and Exporting whale oil, fish and rum.
 
 
Fact 8Education: John Hancock was educated at Boston Latin School and Harvard where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Classical Studies in 1754.
 
 
Fact 9John Hancock undertook various business duties in London from 1760-1761 and witnessed the coronation of King George III
 
 
Fact 10John Hancock married Dorothy "Dolly" Quincy on August 28, 1775
 
 
Fact 11When John Hancock was 27 his uncle died leaving John the House of Hancock
 
 
Fact 12In 1765, John Hancock entered local politics when he was elected a Boston selectman. The following year, he won election to the Massachusetts colonial legislature.
 
 
Fact 13John Hancock suffered from gout for most of his life.
 
 
Fact 14John Hancock became a political activist in the opposition to the Sugar Act in 1764, the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts of 1767. He came into conflict with the acting Governor of Boston, the loyalist Thomas Hutchinson
 
 
Fact 15He came into conflict with the acting Governor of Boston, the loyalist Thomas Hutchinson
 
 
Fact 16John Hancock was one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty, together with Samuel Adams (the cousin of John Adams). He shared leadership of the Massachusetts Patriots.
 
 
Fact 17In 1768, one of his merchant ships, the Liberty, was seized by Customs Officials (see below)
 
 
Fact 18John Hancock played a prominent role in the events following the Boston Massacre in 1770.
 
 
Fact 19December 16, 1773:  The Boston Tea Party - Massachusetts patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians protested against the British Tea Act
 
 
Fact 20On April 19, 1775, John Hancock and fellow patriot Samuel Adams avoided arrest after Paul Revere made his legendary midnight ride to warn them the British were coming.
 
 
Fact 21John Hancock became president of the first and second provincial congresses
 
 
Fact 22John Hancock was president of the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1777
 
 
Fact 23John Hancock was elected Massachusetts governor in 1780 - he held this role nine times
 
 
Fact 24John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence
 
 
Fact 25John Hancock was 39 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence.
 
 
Fact 26John Hancock died of natural causes at his home on Charter Street in Boston, on May 10, 1818 aged 83
 
 
Fact 27John Hancock was buried at Granary Burial Grounds, Boston
 
 

Facts about Life of John Hancock

 

Picture of a Sloop 1775

Picture of a Sloop 1775

Life of John Hancock - the Liberty Affair
The Liberty Affair arose following the Townshend Acts.  In 1768 the new Customs Officers at Boston seized a sloop called the Liberty, which was owned by John Hancock.

The Liberty was carrying a cargo of Madeira wine. The Liberty sloop was seized because John Hancock was accused of not paying the duties (taxes) on the wine. 

The customs officers seized the Liberty and towed the sloop under the guns of a British warship which was in Boston harbor. The people of Boston were supporters of John Hancock. In 1765 John Hancock and Samuel Adams had founded the Sons of Liberty.

The townsfolk could not recapture the Liberty but they managed to seize one of the warship's small boats. The meen of Boston carried the boat to the Common, and had a famous bonfire. John Hancock was charged with smuggling, but was acquitted.

John Hancock

The life and biography of John Hancock is presented in a short, easy fact file format that is highly suitable for kids. The facts about  are a fast and accurate way to gain a good understanding of the life of this famous man who played a major role in the American Revolutionary War. The facts include the major events in the life of John Hancock together with important dates and details of his family.

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