Known for

• President of the 1776 Continental Congress

  • Put a really big signature on the Declaration of Independence (today, we call a big signature a Hancock)​

• First & third governor of Massachusetts

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During 1776

• Delegate for Massachusetts​

• Age: 39

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Background

• Born: 1737 in Braintree, Massachusetts

• Education: Harvard

• Spouse: Dorothy "Dolly" Quincy (m. 1775)

• ​Children: Lydia Henchman Hancock, John Hancock (neither survive to adulthood)​

• One of the wealthiest men in the Thirteen Colonies, having inherited a profitable mercantile business from his uncle

• Slaveowning

  • ​Growing up, the Hancock household had one slave to help with household work

  • When Thomas Hancock died in August 1764, John Hancock inherited the business, Hancock Manor, two or three household slaves, and thousands of acres of land.

  • The household slaves continued to work for John Hancock and his aunt, but were eventually freed through the terms of Thomas Hancock's will.

  • No evidence that John Hancock ever bought or sold slaves

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Personal beliefs

• Politics: Patriot/Whig; used his wealth to support the colonial cause

• Religion: Member of the Congregationalist Church; highly committed to his religious beliefs