276 years ago today the famous John Hancock was born

            John Hancock was born on January 23, 1737, in Braintree, Massachusetts, to Mary Hawke and clergyman John Hancock Sr. Johns father died at a young age and he eventually ended up living with his Aunt Lydia and Uncle Thomas Hancock. Thomas was a very successful businessman owning his own shipping business. John attended Harvard College and graduated in 1754. In 1764 his Uncle Thomas died and John inherited the family business and estate.

            In the mid 1960’s John entered into the world of politics, winning two consecutive political positions. Managing affairs on a local level in Boston and then moving on to the colonial legislature. He protested against various financial regulations including the Stamp Act and Townshend duties. It was also rumored that John had began to smuggle goods on his ships in order to avoid British Taxation. In1786 one of John’s ships was seized by British authorities, and penalized with a fine and taken to court. After the Boston Massacre in 1770 John Hancock headed the committee that demanded the removal of British forces. Once again in 1773 Boston became the host site for political violence with the Tea Act of 1773.

            In 1774, John Hancock was made the leader of the Massachusetts delegate. Then in 1775 he was appointed congress president of the continental army that was lead by George Washington. On July 4, 1776 John Hancock became the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence stated that the thirteen American states were free of British rule. This is where the idea of putting one’s “John Hancock” on paper got its meaning.

            In 1780, John Hancock became the first governor of Massachusetts, where he held office for five years until 1785 when he resigned due to poor health. John Hancock died on October 8, 1793 while serving as governor.




Information retrieved from:  http://www.biography.com/people/john-hancock-9327271?page=1