Merchant And Statesman

The House of Hancock.

John Hancock was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, a son of the Reverend John Hancock and the former Mary Hawke. When his father died, the boy was adopted by his childless uncle, Thomas, Boston's richest merchant. After graduating from Harvard College in 1754, John entered his uncle's mercantile firm. Like many young merchants being groomed to take over the family business, John was sent for a short period to England to complete his commercial education. John returned to Boston in 1761 and two years later became a partner in Thomas Hancock and Company. In 1764 Thomas Hancock died, leaving the twenty-seven-year-old John as head of the firm and heir to the bulk of his uncle's £70,000 fortune.

Revolutionary Leader.

The wealthy young merchant led a life of ease and luxury. He traveled with six horses and several servants, set a fine table, and...