An American Founding Father

1. An American Founding Father

2. John Hancock Facts • Born January 12, 1737–Died October 8, 1793 • Raised in Braintree (Quincy) Massachusetts • Graduated Harvard College at the age of 17!

3. John Hancock’s Childhood • John Hancock was an orphan, and adopted by a wealthy merchant uncle who was childless. • Apprentice to his uncle as a business merchant and in 1760 was sent to England for a business mission.

4. John Hancock’s Political Career • 1766 –Elected to the Boston Assembly • 1773 –Delegate to and President to the Congress of Massachusetts • 1774 – Elected to the Continental Congress • 1775 – Elected President of the Continental Congress • 1793 – Governor of Massachusetts

5. John Hancock’s Famous Signature • John Hancock is the most famous of the founding fathers. • Was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. • Known for his very large signature on the Declaration of Independence.

6. John Hancock’s Famous Signature • John Hancock purposely wrote his signature large enough so King George could clearly read his name without his glasses! • “John Hancock” has now become a synonym for the word “signature” or “autograph”.

7. John Hancock’s Famous Signature

8. References http://www.libertyskids.com/arch_who_jhancock.html http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers hancock.htm http://blog.hasslberger.com/2011/01 individual_freedom_the_shock_o.html http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/john-hancock-facts.html#ixzz1mlLCOeSl http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/john-hancock-facts.html http://americanrevunit.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

9. An American Founding Father