John Hancock; A Sacrificial Patriot

Written By: Charles A. Goodrich  |  Posted: Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

John Hancock died October 8, 1793 at the age of 55, six years before George Washington and Patrick Henry. Two shameful events have occurred since his death. There was no national outpouring of grief at his death and, except for commemoration of his bold sweeping signature on the Declaration of Independence, historians have done little to recognize his extraordinary sacrifices and contributions to America's independence.

Hancock was born in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1737. Both his father and grandfather were clergymen. His parents died while he was young and he was adopted and raised by his paternal uncle, Thomas Hancock, the most successful and enterprising merchant in New England. Thomas Hancock founded a professorship at Harvard College, now Harvard University. John attended Harvard and graduated in 1754.

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