Hancock, John

Description

Autograph ID: 6669
Condition: Very good, 2 vertical separations professionally repaired with some slight paper loss at junctions, small repaired tear on one fold, very slight see-thru from docketing on verso
Description: “(1737-1793) Boston merchant, statesman, and prominent patriot, one of Boston’s leaders before the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775. As President of the 2nd Continental Congress, he was first to affix his signature (his literal “John Hancock”) to the Declaration of Independence. Hancock was also 1st (1780-85) & 3rd (1787-93) Governor of Massachussetts, using his influence to ensure that Massachussetts ratified the Constitution in 1788. Before the Revolution, he was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies, having inherited a profitable mercantile business from his uncle. After graduating from harvard in 1754, he joined his uncle’s firm, served as a clerk for a while and 10 years later, headed the business. As tensions between colonists and Great Britain increased in the 1760s, Hancock used his wealth to support the colonial cause. He became very popular in Massachusetts, especially after British officials seized his sloop “Liberty” in 1768 and charged him with smuggling, although charges against him were eventually dropped.
6 1/4 x 7 1/4 draft ALS signed “JH”, Council Chamber (Boston), May 2 1782, to the State Senate and House of Representatives, requesting the Assembly appoint a successor to the deceased Naval Officer on the island of Nantucket. Governor Hancock has received an application for a number of Registers to be sent to the Deputy Naval Officer there but as the Naval Officer has died he does feel justified in sending Registers to that port until the Assembly appoints a new Naval Officer. With steel engraving of Hancock for matting and framing.”
Type: Letter