Was john hancock gay

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He is popularly remembered today for his famous signature, scrawled on the Proclamation of Independence—or so the story goes—in letters so large that King George III could read it without his eyeglasses. In his day, John Hancock, the son of a Braintree, Mass., minister, would rise to become a wealthy merchant and prominent politician, numbering among the Founding Fathers.

Having published widely on the American Revolution, largely through biographies—Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson and Washington—Mr. Randall here aims to “explore Hancock’s thirty-year relationship with other Founding Fathers as they labored together to give birth to the United States of America.”

Baptized in the same parish and around the identical time as John Adams, young John moved with his mother into his grandfather’s home when Hancock’s father died in 1744. A life-defining moment came a year later, when his wealthy, childless uncle and aunt, Thomas and Lydia Hancock, took him in. The 8-year-old John left “the crowded small-town manse in Lexington,” writes Mr. Randall, for “a mansion atop Beacon Hill and the privileged status of adopted son and putative heir to one of colonial Americ

Signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the second Continental Congress, lawyer, husband, patriot: John Hancock was all of these and more.

Early Life & Education

John Hancock was born January 23, 1737 in Braintree Massachusetts. When he was a boy, he became friends with young John Adams, who had been baptized by Hancock’s father in 1734.

Portrait by John Singleton Copley
Public domain image.

Hancock’s family lived comfortably, but only owned one slave to help around the house. John was sent to live with his aunt and uncle after the death of his father in 1744.

Hancock graduated from Boston Latin academy in 1750, then enrolled in Harvard College. In 1754, he received his bachelor’s degree. Just as the French and Indian War was beginning, he started working for his uncle at his uncle’s proprietor firm. His uncle’s firm was thriving during the war, so serve was good. During his time of work at the firm, he was training for partnership.

From 1760-1761, Hancock lived in England developing relationships with clients and suppliers. When he returned, his uncle’s health had begun to break down him, so John took full partn

Dorothy Quincy Hancock 1750 ~ 1830

Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Dorothy Quincy Hancock

Mrs. Hancock was one of those who, by her courtesies to the officers and ladies of the British army when Burgoyne was under the convention of surrender, made Cambridge a brilliant center of hospitality and fashion. She was the daughter of Edmund Quincy, of Massachusetts, and was born in 1750. At the age of twenty-four she married John Hancock, one of the great men of the age, and, aided by the luster of his fortunes, she became a leader in society, filling her station with infrequent dignity and grace. At her table there might be seen all classes; the grave clergy, the veteran and the same-sex attracted, the gifted in lyric, or anecdote or wit. The dinner hour was at one or two o'clock; three was the latest for formal occasions. The evening amusement was usually a game of cards, and dancing was much in vogue. There were concerts, but theatrical productions were prohibited. Much attention was paid to dress; coats of various colors were worn by the men. All of which shows