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John Hancock was born on January 23, 1737, in Braintree (present day city of Quincy), Massachusetts, to Mary Hawke and the senior John Hancock, who was a clergyman
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Hancock gradually took over the House of Hancock as his uncle's health failed, becoming a full partner in January 1763.
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When Thomas Hancock died in August 1764, John inherited the business, Hancock Manor, two or three household slaves, and thousands of acres of land, becoming one of the wealthiest men in the colonies.
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In March 1765, he was elected as one of Boston's five selectmen, an office previously held by his uncle for many years.
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Hancock was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in May 1766.
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The second trial began in October 1768, when charges were filed against Hancock and five others for allegedly unloading 100 pipes of wine from the Liberty without paying the duties.
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When Congress recessed on August 1, 1775, Hancock took the opportunity to wed his fiancée
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Hancock became the first representative to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776
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Hancock Manor, Cambridge, MA was where John Hancock died and where he was born
