JOHN HANCOCK
His BOOK
BY
ABRAM ENGLISH BROWN
ATTHOK OF "HISTORY OF BEDFORD"
'GLIMPSES OF OLD NEW ENGLAND LIFE" " HENEATH OLD ROOFTREES'
"BESIDE OLD HEARTHSTONES" ETC.
// is never too late to repair an injury or pay a debt of gratitude
BOSTON
LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS
I O M I I. K STREET
I
COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY LEE AND SHEPARJ
All rights, reserved
JOHN HANCOCK, His P>f
C. J. PETRRS & SON, TYPOT.R APHERS, BOSTON
BERWICK & SMITH, PRINTERS, NORWOOD PRESS
TO
G K O R G E F R I S B I K HOAR
HONORED SENIOR SENATOR OF
MASSACHUSETTS
<T{)ts Fohttnc
IS GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED.
271464
PREFA C E
WHILE engaged in the preparation of an article upon
the mercantile life of John Hancock, my attention was
directed to a volume of manuscript of possible use in
my line of study.
Curiosity led me to a thorough examination, requiring
many weeks of the most studious labor, the result of
which was first given to the public through the columns
of the Boston Transcript. The interest manifested was
sufficient to induce me to issue this volume in hopes
that it might create a demand for a life of John Han
cock, which may be given the public by other hands.
Courtesies aiding in the preparation of this volume
have been received from John Ward Dean, A.M., libra
rian of the New England Historic Genealogical So
ciety ; Samuel Arthur Bent, clerk and treasurer of the
Bostonian Society ; Mr. Harrison Gray Otis ; the histor
ical societies of the towns of Concord, Lexington, and
Bedford ; and from Allen Coffin, Esq., of Nantucket,
Rev. E. G. Porter of Boston, Mrs. William Wales of
Dorchester, Mrs. Lydia Taft of Boston, owner of the
portraits of Thomas Hancock and wife, and other inter
ested friends of a long-neglected patriot.
ABRAM ENGLISH BROWN.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. — INTRODUCTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL ... 2
Neglect of John Hancock. Family Record. Adoption of the
Boy John by Thomas Hancock. In Latin School and Har
vard College. Boyhood Visits to Lexington and Bedford.
Sojourn in England.
CHAPTER II
The Famous Autograph. Hancock Wharf. John Wendell a
Fellow-Merchant. The Bowes Family at Bedford and
Boston.
CHAPTER III 14
John Hancock enters the Firm. Garrison Supplies. Death of
John Wendell. Sir Peter and Lady Warren. Tory Row.
CHAPTER IV 21
Family Supplies. The Boston Packet. James Scott first ap
pears. Ship Coal from Newcastle. Settling General Whit-
more' s Estate. Thomas Hancock fails in Health. Garrison
Supplies. Province Treasury as a Bank.
CHAPTER V 32
Thomas Hancock's Private Charity. Launching of the Boston
Packet. Her First Voyage. James Otis as Attorney. Other
Noted Lawyers. Hancock sends for Wigs. Costumes of
the Time. Correspondence with Lady Warren. Aid to
Prisoners at Brest. Hancock Firm lost Control of Nan-
tucket Oil-Trade. Deals in Mortgages.
CHAPTER VI 41
Passengers to England. William Rotch in the Commercial Busi
ness. James Scott advised to Prudence. Death of Thomas
Hancock. Funeral Customs. John Hancock and Nan-
tucket Merchants. Group of Old Boston Merchants. Lon
don Insurance.
vii
Vlll CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER VII 51
Effort to collect Bills in London. John Hancock aids Relatives
and Friends. An Eye for Business. In Quarantine. Re
solves to do no More Business on Shares. Watches Com
petitors. Small-pox injures Business. Sends to London for
Shoes. His Boston Shoemaker. Sends for Sea-Coals, Tea,
Hemp, etc.
CHAPTER VIII 61
Revenue Laws make Bankrupts. Sir Peter Warren. Hancock
tries to form an Oil-Trust. John Hancock's Financial
Straits. Hancock's Dinner-Party with William Rotch. .
Chosen on the Board of Selectmen. Draws from the Prov
ince Treasury. Invoice of Silks.
CHAPTER IX 77
Rivalry between Hancock and Rotch. John Hancock as a Fi
nancial Adviser. Trade with Madeira. Compassion for the
Aged. John Hancock's Ship Liberty and Her First Com
munication to London. Stamp Act a Cruel Hardship.
Stamps arrive. Severe Treatment of Oliver and Hutchinson.
New Brig Harrison. John Hancock will not be a Slave.
Hancock makes a Record for Posterity.
CHAPTER X 89
People refuse to use Stamps. Large Tax paid by the Hancock
Firm. Evil Forebodings of November First. Slaves in the
Colonies. Boston instructs Representatives in General
Court. John Hancock appeals to Heaven. Sends to Lon
don for Books — a Gift for Harvard College. John Han
cock in Despondency. Ships Goods without Stamps.
Goods ordered on Condition of the Repeal of the Stamp Act.
No Telephone. Rides to Lexington.
CHAPTER XI 105
Ever Ready to aid Worthy Young Men. Hancock neglects His
Own Business for the Good of His Country. A General
Business Agency. List of Merchants associated with Han
cock. Orders Goods in Case the Stamp Act is repealed.
"Hancock and His Crew." Loss by Wreck. Colonel
Henry Bromfield. Richard Clark. Hancock in Town-
Meeting. Garrison Supplies.
CHAPTER XII \ 114
Hancock starts a Young Man in Business. Boldly declares His
Rights. Introduces William Bowes. Solicits Business.
CONTENTS ix
PAC;H
Merchants in London feel the Business Depression. Utter
ances of the Press. Liberty Tree. Hancock on Committee
of Resolutions for Town of Plymouth.
CHAPTER XIII 122
The Repeal of the Stamp Act. The Welcome News brought by
Hancock's Vessel. The Public Rejoicing. Hancock freely
treats to Madeira. Inscriptions to Liberty engraved by
Paul Revere. Hancock in General Court.
CHAPTER XIV 133
.Hancock's 111 Health. A Merchant's Shrewdness. Absorbing
Cares. Power of Resentment. Boston Harbor frozen over.
Scarcity of Money, llancock represents Boston in the Gen
eral Court. Hancock recommends James Otis, Esq., as an
Attorney. Change in London Agents. Hancock scatters
Guineas among His Poor Tenants. Non-Importation Reso
lutions are revived. Orders Wine from Madeira. Hancock
had Everything to lose and Nothing to gain.
CHAPTER XV 153
Unanimous Election to the General Court. Hancock and Haley
exchange Presents. Town-Meeting adjourned to South
Meeting-House . Troops arrive in Boston to compel Sub
mission. -Hancock denies a Bold Accusation. New Agree
ments in Regard to Trade. General Court removed to
Cambridge. Hancock vindicates Himself.
CHAPTER XVI 172
Hancock recovers from Severe Illness. Gifts to Brattle-Street
Church. Hancock Memorials in Country Towns. Gift of
a Fire-Engine to Boston. John Hancock commissioned a
Colonel of Cadets. Journey to Connecticut. Boston Tea-
Party. Hancock sends William Palfrey to carry News of
Destruction of Tea to Philadelphia.
CHAPTER XVII 182
William Palfrey conducts Hancock's Business. John Hancock
delivers the Massacre Oration. Arrival and Reception of
General Gage. Colonel Hancock and the Cadets. Han
cock's Commission revoked. Legislature meets at Salem.
Last Session called by a Governor under the Crown. Pro
vincial Congress at Concord and Cambridge. Boston School
boys keep a Secret, and save the Cannon. Indignation of
Treatment of a Billerica Man. Gage's Army injure Han-
X CONTENTS
PAGE
cock's Property. Notable Gathering at Lexington Parson
age. Battle of Lexington. Flight from Gage's Army to
Burlington and Billerica.
CHAPTER XVIII . 196
^John Hancock chosen President of the Second Continental Con
gress. He is proscribed by Proclamation of General Gage.
A Love-Letter and Subsequent Marriage.
CHAPTER XIX 205
Hancock's Letter to Washington in Regard to Bombarding
Boston. Letter to Canada. Rejoicing at Washington's Re
port of the Evacuation of Boston. Occupants of Hancock
Mansion during the Siege of Boston. Hancock denounces
Charge against the Provinces. Hancock and His Wife in
vite General and Lady Washington to their home at Phila
delphia. Declaration of Independence. Flight to Baltimore.
Birth of a Daughter to John and Dorothy Hancock. Han
cock's Appeal for Protection of New England.
CHAPTER XX 215
Congress returns to Philadelphia. Letter to Mrs. Hancock.
Hancock resigns as President of Congress. Returns to
Boston. Reception. Elected to Town Office. Military
Service. Reception to French Fleet. Hancock pays Bills
for Boston's Honor.
CHAPTER XXI. 230
Again in General Court. Severe on the Loyalists. In Conven
tion to form the State Constitution. Elected the First
Governor under the Constitution. Rev. Dr. Samuel Cooper
preached the First Election Sermon. Calls for Financial
Consideration from Government. Hancock resumes Busi
ness. Letters to London. Orders for Family Supplies.
CHAPTER XXII 238
Hancock Mansion and Gardens. Noted Guests entertained.
Household Supplies. Mrs. John Hancock's Apparel. Han
cock Coach. Governor John Hancock pays the Debt to
Nature. Funeral of the First Governor of the State of Massa
chusetts. Mrs. Dorothy Hancock marries Captain James
Scott. Madam Dorothy Scott and General Lafayette.
CHAPTER XXIII «. 249
Financial Retrospect.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
John Hancock, by Copley Frontispiece
Rev. John Hancock, Grandfather of the Patriot r^gc 3
Mrs. John Hancock, Grandmother of the Patriot .... "4
Nicholas Bovves's Candlestick " 5
Nicholas Bowes's Inkstand Dish " 5
Autograph of John Hancock
Dominie Manse, Bedford 10
Hancock Mansion, Boston "12
Reproduction of Letter of 1763 ... " 14
Thomas Hancock " 16
Mrs. Thomas Hancock "17
Apthorp House, Cambridge "19
Longfellow House 22
Autograph of James Scott " 25
The Boston Packet "28
James Otis "34
Cocked Hat and Hat-Box "37
Rotch Warehouse, Nantucket . "43
Gov. William Shirley and Autograph "52
Old State-House "58
Hancock Table and Furnishings "60
Hancock Autograph Letter of 1765 .... "63
William Rotch "65
Bill of Exchange of 17.66 "71
Harrison Gray, Province Treasurer "75
Facsimile of Stamp 83
Letter of 1765 "85
Home of Rev. John Hancock, Lexington . " 90
John Hancock's Book-Plate "97
Book-Title " "97
xi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
John Hancock's Money-Book
Hancock Family Tomb at Lexington .... 1 1 1
Faneuil Hall of 1763 . . . . " 116
Invoice Head used by John Hancock . nS
Old South Meeting-House l2^
Osgood House, Andover .
Hancock Sun-Pial . MI
Autograph of Isaac Cazneau, Jr. . . M4
Autograph of William Palfrey .... MS
Hancock Doorknocker MiS
The Province House ....
Home of Isaac Royall, Medford
Autograph Order l^
Old Parish Meeting-House, Concord . l87
Hubbard House, Concord
Site of Amos Wyman House, Billerica J9r
Forest Path taken by Hancock and Adams, April 19, 1775 . 195
Precinct Parsonage, Burlington
John Hancock, President of Continental Congress . 203
General George Washington
Mrs. John Hancock . .
Autograph of William Hoskins
Facsimile of Letter to Mrs. Mary Haley
Scarlet Velvet Coat, etc
Hancock Monument in Granary Burying-Ground 246
Madam Scott 24S
John Hancock, His Book
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
NEGLECT OF JOHN HANCOCK. FAMILY RECORD. ADOPTION
OF THE BOY JOHN BY THOMAS HANCOCK. IN LATIN
SCHOOL AND HARVARD COLLEGE. BOYHOOD VISITS TO
LEXINGTON AND BEDFORD. SOJOURN IN ENGLAND.
"Ill-: who would study the career of Hancock must
glean it piecemeal from the brief notices of the encyclo
paedias, the pages of general history, and the biographies
of other men," said Curtis Guild, Jr., at the unveiling
of the memorial to John Hancock in Boston, on Sept.
10, 1896. Various reasons may be assigned for this
neglect. Hancock died at the age of fifty-six years, and
left no descendants. His numerous relatives received
and enjoyed his great wealth ; but neither pride nor
gratitude incited them to the work of writing the life
of their benefactor. His unremitting toils and sacrifices
for the public good during the most trying period of
the history of this republic may have been so far over
shadowed by his unaccountable management of the
treasury of Harvard College as to deter any man of
that institution from undertaking the work.
i
HAXCOCK, HIS BOOK
We are thankful that the Commonwealth of Massa
chusetts has so far repaired this neglect and paid her
debt of gratitude as to erect the monument now to be
seen at the tomb of her first governor in the Old Gran
ary Burying-Ground, Boston ; and it is hoped that some
pen is now at work upon an adequate history of John
Hancock which the public will welcome before many
years.
It is not the purpose of this volume to supply the long-
felt want, except in so far as the letters of the man may
afford slight glimpses of it. Ruskin has said that "the
true biography of a nation is written in the book of its
deeds, the book of its art, and the book of its words."
It is to the book of the deeds and words of John Han
cock that I wish to direct my readers.
There is no better way in which to reach the real
sentiments of a man than through his private corre
spondence. Speeches are for the public, and often are
more truly the voice of the people than of the speaker ;
but in letters to trusted friends the man records his real
self. It is my purpose to allow the letters of John Han
cock to speak for him, introducing only such familiar
facts of history as are needful to make clear the long-
hidden utterances of the man. These letters cover that
period of our history which Rufus Choate said was the
most significant, but most neglected decade, — that from
the revenue acts to open hostilities. But before brush
ing away the dust of a full century from this worm-eaten
volume of manuscript, let me pause to introduce my
friend to the rising generation. I say "my friend " be
cause I rate in my circle of friends all whose labors have
conspired to give to me this glorious heritage of freedom.
He was the third in as many generations of the fam-
IN TROD UC 7 VA' Y A ND B /( ) GRA PIIICA L
ily to bear the name, John Hancock, in the history of
the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. The first, his grand
father, was Rev. John Hancock, pastor at Lexington for
many years. He was often called Bishop Hancock be
cause of his wide field of great usefulness. His resi
dence, the old parsonage, is now eagerly visited at
Lexington by tourists, who seek for the place of enter
tainment of the patriot John Hancock on the eventful
night of April 18,
1775. The second
generation was Rev.
John Hancock of
Braintree (Ouincy) ;
he was pastor there
from 1726 till his
death in 1744. He,
as pastor and parent,
placed the outward
seal of baptism upon
the third John in
January, 1737. The
same hand performed
a similar act on the
innocent brow of John
Adams. By the early
death of this pastor, a widow and three young children
became objects of the solicitude of their friends.
There was living in Boston a brother of the deceased
pastor, Thomas Hancock, who with his wife, Lydia
Henchman, was blessed with wealth and all that it could
procure ; but no little feet pattered about their elegant
mansion on Beacon Hill, and they early opened their
hearts and home to the boy John. This lad of seven
REV. JOHN HANCOCK, GRANDFATHER
OF THE PATRIOT.
JOHN JI AN COCA', JUS BOOK
years was kept in touch with his mother, his brother
Kbcnezer, and his sister Mary ; but he was the lad who
most cheered the hearts of the merchant and his com
panion, who was the daughter of a like noted merchant
of the town of Boston.
Dressed in the best that the town afforded for boys
of his age, John Hancock was tenderly guarded by his
uncle and aunt. He
was early found in
the Latin School
during the sessions,
and was taken in
the Hancock chariot
to Lexington for the
benefits of country
air during the vaca
tions. When rest
less at that parson
age he was driven to
the Bedford parson
age, but a few miles
away, where he was
the envied of his
little cousins, who
made merry the
hours of his visit. This attractive boy was given the
best that the parsonage afforded, and was allowed to
dip his quill in his uncle's " inkstand disk " while dis
playing his youthful ability in penmanship.
The best candlestick was used in his honor, and all
attention given the boy, as a representative of Thomas l
1 Thomas Bowes, nephew and namesake of Thomas Hancock, cousin
of John, died in youth at Bedford.
MRS. JOHN HANCOCK, GRANDMOTHER
OF THE PATRIOT.
(Elizabeth, daughter of Rev, Thomas and Mary
Clark of Chelmsford.)
INTRODUCTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
5
INKSTAND DISH.
Hancock, whose wealth and influence were often help
fully displayed at this minister's home in a new and
struggling settlement. One of the Bedford minister's
children was Lucy, the namesake of her mother, -
Lucy, daughter of Rev. John
Hancock of Lexington. This (f== *•
daughter of .Rev. Nicholas
Bowes and Lucy Hancock
was often found taking steps
for her grandparents at Lex
ington, and with young John
from Boston romped hand in
hand over the hills of Lex
ington, peered with curious
eyes into the old belfry, or
made mud pies at its rude
base. Yes, my reader, John
Hancock was a boy, and had wants like other boys
of his time. No one can doubt that they were all sup
plied ; perhaps if oftener denied he would have been
the gainer. School text-books were scarce and dear,
but John Hancock never " looked over "
with his companions. The Henchman
house imported and dealt in all kinds of
books and stationery, and John's uncle
Thomas had an account with his father-
in-law. In the Henchman day-book is
found, with charges to Thomas Han
cock, " I book to John, 5^. 4^. ; I
Hammond's algebra to John, 9^. 7</."
John Hancock, well fitted, entered
Harvard College, and was graduated
from that institution in 1754. His tall, graceful figure,
N. BOWES, 1721.
(In possession of
A. E. Brown.)
6 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
elegant dress, courteous manner, and prospective for
tune made him the envied of the best circles of the
seaport, but this did not turn his well-poised head,
and he entered his uncle's business house in the po
sition of clerk. Manifesting a deep interest in the
business, he was intrusted with its affairs, and in 1760
was sent abroad to represent the house in London. He
took the trip under the patronage of Mr. Thomas
Pownall, who had been governor of the province, and,
as a friend of Thomas Hancock, had been a frequent
guest at his home, and manifested much interest in the
young man of the household. John Hancock's visit
chanced to be at the time of the death of George II.
and of the coronation of George III., pageants not un
congenial to the taste of the young man. It is recorded
that the Boston merchant was later presented to the
new king as a representative of one of his Majesty's
colonies in America, and that King George presented
the young man with a gold snuff-box. I shall not vouch
for the truth of this statement ; but custom made such
articles of daily use in the ordinary exchange of cour
tesy. If the king, in the exuberance of his exalted
position, did lavish this token upon his young American
subject, he had occasion to regret it in later years; and
doubtless John Hancock failed to pass it about with
pride among his business or social friends, for " rich
gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind."
The following letter, "billet," is in the possession
of Mrs. William Wales of Dorchester, a grandniece of
Mrs. Dorothy Hancock. It is without date, but must
have preceded the death of the grandmother, which
occurred in February, 1760, and is the earliest known
to exist :
INTRODUCTORY A\D BIOGRAPHICAL J
DEAR AUNT: My Father I accompany this afternoon to Lexing
ton in a chaise, if you have any Commands there, shall be happy
in the execution of them. My Grandmama will be happy to receive
a Word or two from you as will your Nephew in committing to
Memory what shall proceed from an amiable & beloved aunt, and
as the original will not be present the proxy must answer as a feeble
representative. Respectfully
J. HANCOCK.
Saturday, 12 o'clock A.M.
Superscribed1'' Madam Hancock.1'
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
CHAPTER II
THE FAMOUS AUTOGRAPH. HANCOCK WHARF. JOHN WEN
DELL A FELLOW-MERCHANT. THE BOWES FAMILY AT
BEDFORD AND BOSTON.
ON the fly-leaf of his letter-book is read the well-
known autograph.
It lacks some of the steadiness and regularity of curve
of that on the Declaration of Independence. Yet this
and others in the letter-book are more nearly like the
average signature of the business man. The above is
in the possessive case ; and the volume is in the main
the record of the business transactions of John Han
cock, although the early entries are those of Thomas
Hancock. They introduce the reader to the business
house when John Hancock was one of a large number
of young men who did the clerical work of this famous
house.
Hancock was a general importer, but his exports were
necessarily confined to the products of the whale fish
eries. The wholesale department of the business was
conducted at the warehouses on Hancock's wharf, which
formerly opened into Fish, now North Street. Lewis
HANCOCK WlfARF 9
Wharf represents it in part. Hancock was the owner
of, or had a large interest in, several retail stores ; and
the variety of goods on sale placed him at the head of
the business interests of the Province.
We are at first introduced, under date of Oct. 14,
1762, to Matthew Woodford, Esq., apparently an agent
with whom Thomas Hancock has treated in regard to
supplies furnished a garrison stationed at Annapolis
and Chignecto, Nova Scotia. John Wendell is asso
ciated with him. Wendell was another Boston mer
chant of the time. He was a neighbor of Thomas
Hancock, living on the corner of Court and Tremont
Streets (says Drake).
On Oct. 17, 1762, we have a glimpse into the Han
cock mansion on Beacon Hill, where the young man,
John Hancock, just home from his sojourn abroad, is a
most important member of his uncle's family.
DKAR SIR : At my Return from Church, I found on the Table the
Revd Mr. Dodd's Excellent Sermon, preacird at the Anniversary
Meeting of the Governor's of the Magdalen Charity, in March last,
which my Nephew had Just Received. I Read it with great Pleas
ure, which Reminded me of a former Resolution of throwing in my
mite to that noble charity, which thro' Hurry of Business I had
omitted and lest I should forget it again, I take my Pen, and Desire
you will please to pay out of the first money you may Receive from
me, Seventy Guineas, my subscription to the Magdalen Charity £
charge to my Account.
I am with much Respect,
Dear Sir,
Your most Obedt Humble Serv<-
To JONA- BARNARD, ESQR-
one of the Govrs of Magdalen Charity.
This was but one of many of the acts of benevolence
recorded to the honor of Thomas Hancock, whose noble
10 JOHN MANCOCK, HIS BOOK
example was well followed in this particular by his
nephew.
The next group of letters affords some intimation of
the commercial relations of Boston merchants during
the last French war, and of the difficulty in adjusting
accounts.
BOSTON, Novemr 5^ 1762.
GENTN : I Reed your favour of July 31*1, observe Mr. Atkins's
Bill on Trafford £ Elms is Refused & Noted ; however am of
Opinion it will be paid, as Newfoundland is happily fallen again
into our Hands. As I have no Power of Attorney from Kilby,
Barnard & Parker, to whom Mr. Laughton was Indebted, so could
have no Demand in Law, therefore have Deliver'd that acco" to
Mr. Parker, your Partner, my Power is from Kilby & Barnard
only.
In Regard to Sewall & Lewis, I have good Security, but as I
wrote, they can't pay yet, & it would not be prudent to sue, as it
must break them up as things are at present.
The Tea is Arrived. I hope to hear from you soon and am
Gentn, Your most Obed't Humble Servt-
P.S. Inclosed is a Certificate from the Custom House of landing
the Tea, by Loring.
MESSRS- JONA BARNARD & Co.
BOSTON, A'cvet/ir 3oth, j 762.
GENTN : I herewith Inclose Invoice for sundry Goods, which I
Desire you to Ship on my Acco" by the first good Opportunity, in
the Spring & Insure them. You will take particular Care, that the
Goods are well Chosen, Pack'd & Charg'd at the lowest Prizes.
Inclosed you have also William Thomas's Bills on Mr. William
Bivall Dartmouth ^175, £ Thomas Williams's Bills on John Hum-
frey, Esqr. for ^20. When paid Credit my account.
I am with Great Esteem
Gent",
Your most Obed't Humble Servt-
P.S. Hope soon to hear the Fate of my Bill Transmitted by the
Mast Fleet.
Capt. Atkins's Bill for .£688 6s 6d sterl'g, notwithstanding, I
wrote to send it back protested, if this Comes in Time protest it,
£ 3
£ -
Q »
UJ S
CD I
- CO
z £
:> *
§ o
BOSTON MERCHANTS I I
take 10 p. ct. Damages & Interest till paid. I hear, & there will
be no Doubt of its being paid, if not done already.
JONA. BARNARD £ Co.
BOSTON, Dccemr 2&, 1762.
GENTN : Since the foregoing I Reed Via Halifax your favour
of 3ist Augst with the Papers, referring to Mr. Cummings which I
shall see Executed, as soon as may be. I Desire you to protest his
Bill & keep it, that I may Draw the Interest & 10 pr. ct. Damages.
The Papers shall be forwarded you, as soon as Authenticated.
Capt. Robert Stockton, in the Ship Hopewell, is a Transport
still in the Service, and if the Bill be not paid, protest it, & beg you
will apply to the Navy Board, & stop the money, as I don't ever
Expect to see him again, and I know there is or was, when here a
large sum due for him of sd ship. I thank your honouring Sword &
Bell's Bill with Hill & Lamars, for the Wine. Hope there will be
no Peace till the Parliament Setts.
I am Gent",
Your most Ooedt Humble Serv*-
P.S. I sent you all the Pott ash I had made. If it will answer,
I shall go into the manufacture.
JONA- BARNARD & Co.
BOSTON, Decemr 2^, 1762.
SIR: Capt. John Campbell, whose Note of Hand for ^100
Sterling, I find among the Late General Whitmore's Papers, Copy
of which I here Inclose you, is Gone from Newfoundland to Eng
land ; he is of the 22^ Regiment.
I give you this Notice, in Order that you may make a Demand
of the Money in Case he may be met with there, and if you are paid
by him, You will acquaint me thereof, that the original note may be
deliverM, to his order. I am afraid to send it now lest it should
miscarry in War Time. I hope the ^1000 I remitted by the Mast
Fleet is RecM & Paid. The Articles of Furniture I Rec'd from
Louisburg, are not yet sold, but shall take the first good opportu
nity to Dispose of them, they are old £ little worth, and should
there be a man of War or Peace soon, I will send your Papers &
money for Ballance, if I cannot Procure Bills of Exchange, which are
very scarce at present & not to be had.
I am Sir
Your most Obedt Humble Serv*-
CAPT. EDWARD WHITMORE.
12 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
BOSTON 2d Decemr 1762.
GENT* : Since I put my Letters into this Ships Bag, I have
Drawn the Inclosed Bill. Say, Wendell & Hancock on William
Beth Esq. in Amsterdam value ^110, sterg. When paid Credit my
acco"- therefore; please to forward the Inclos'd Letter to him.
I am with Respect, Gent11
Your most Obed* Servt-
To MESSRS. JONA. BARNARD £ Co.
HANCOCK MANSION, BOSTON.
BOSTON, Decemr 2^ 1762.
SIR : We have wrote you severall Letters in the Course of the
Summer, some of which we are certain arriv'd safe. We then In-
clos'd you all the necessary Papers &c., relative to the ship William
Galley, and are not a little surprised that we have not heard from
you, owning the Receipt of Wendell's affidavit etc., but hope we
shall soon. We have Taken all proper measures for your Interest,
in consequence of which several necessary charges have arisen, in
part of which we have this Day drawn a Sett of Bills on you, in
favour of Messrs. Jon*- Barnard & Co., Merchants in London for
77/E BOl\'l<:S FAMILY 13
;£io, Sterling, which you will please to honour. Accontt of which
shall be Transmitted you hereafter.
We are Sir,
Your most Humble Servts»
JOHN WENDELL.
THOMAS HANCOCK.
To WILLIAM BETH ESQ. in Amsterdam.
BOSTON, Decemr 28^ 1762
GENT* : I have not yet Rec'd the Goods I wrote you for, hope
they will soon arrive. This is chiefly to cover you the In-
clos'd Letter from Mr. , Will111 Bowes,1 who is a Nephew of mine
& who has some time Dealt in hardware & inclined to corre
spond with your house. He now writes you for some Goods.
You are safe in Dealing with him, & I am to Desire you will
supply him & for what he now writes I will see you paid.
1 am Gent"
Your most Obed1 Humble Serv*
MESSRS. DEVONSHIRE & REEVES.
1 William Bowes above mentioned was the eldest son of Rev. Nicholas
Bowes and his wife, Lucy Hancock, of Bedford. He was bom Dec. 3,
1734, and baptized four clays later by his grandfather, Rev. John Hancock
of Lexington. Rev. Nicholas Bowes died as chaplain in the Northern
army in 1755. William, with other children, sold the estate at Bedford.
He had been taken, under his uncle's superintendence, into the business
circles of Boston. His mother, Lucy Hancock Bowes, was married to
Rev. Samuel Cook of Cambridge.
JOHN HA A 'COCA', IIIS BOOK
CHAPTER III
JOHN HANCOCK ENTERS THE FIRM. GARRISON SUPPLIES.
DEATH OF JOHN WENDELL. SIR PETER AND LADY WAR
REN. TORY ROW.
IN the following letters we have the first announce
ment of the co-partnership of Thomas and John Han
cock.
BOSTON, January ist, 1763.
GENTN : I am to acquaint you, that I have at last Got my affairs
into such a Scituation, as that I have this Day Taken my Nephew
Mr. John Hancock, into Partnership with me, having had long Ex-
JOHN HANCOCK ENTERS THE FIRM 15
perience of his Uprightness, & great Abilities for Business, as that
1 can heartily Recommend him to Your Friendship & Correspon
dence, which wish may be long & happy. You will therefore Cause
my private Acco" to be Settled & the Ballance that may happen
on either Side Carried to the Company Acco" and what Goods 1
have wrote for, be Charged to Thomas Hancock & Company,
mark'd T. I. & H. & Consigned to Thomas Hancock & Compa
You will please to protest the Bill of Cumming's & keep it, that
we may Draw the Interest, & Damages, the proper Papers will be
forwarded soon.
I wish You the Compliments of the Season, & am with much
Respect, Gent",
Your most Obed't Serv't.
To MKSSKS. JON*. BARNARD & Co.
On Jan. 7 the Hancocks address Matthew Woodford,
Esq. : —
Mr. Winslow writes me the Provisions shipt to Chignecto ar
rived safe there, and is what will last him till mid summer & that
the Bread from Annapolis proves much better than Expected, that
with the Help of the French, will find no difficulty in Issuing it. I
am very glad to hear this. I hope also it will Turn out better at
Annapolis than Mr. Williams Expected, he writes me he has fifty
French come in to Winter & Desires more Pork & other species £
some fresh Bread, for the officers, which I propose to Send as soon
as the Season will permit, and as I am Considerably in advance for
you, shall soon send you the acco" thereof, as also the Charge, of
Agency from Mr. Steel's Death, to Mr. Williams' Taking Posses
sion of the Stores. Mr. Miles Greenwood, by the Officer's Orders,
Issued the Provisions from 22^ April to 16^ May, Charged ^6.5^',
when Mr. Dyson, by M^ Gerrish's order, Took Charge of the Pro
visions & he Charges Agency, from i6th May to 6th ]u\y, following.
Both these Acco's, I have Engaged at last to pay, for Steel's Sal
ary can be paid no longer, by the Crown than to the Day of his
Death; and when there was no Commissary, you are by Contract
to find one. 1 have paid Mr. Gerrish also his Agency ^91, to 6t>»
November, Halifax Currency and Mr. Winslow's Acco" I expect
every moment to be the same Time.
I am Sir, Your most obed{ Humble Serv1
MATTHEW WOODFORD ESQK
i6
JOHN HANCOCK, JUS HOOK
The garrisons being supplied by the Hancock firm
were on the Bay of Funcly ; Annapolis being on the
western coast of Nova Scotia, and Chignecto was at the
isthmus between the
bay and Northumber
land Strait. T h e
business seems not
to run very smoothly,
as may be inferred
from a letter to Mat
thew Woodford on
Feb. 10, 1763 i1 —
I have just Rec'd Your
favour, of 8»'> Novr last,
& Duplicate of 7th Sept.
by the Parquet, and Ob
serve their Contents, &
Remarks you have made,
on the State of Provis
ions, & Cash Accotts £c.
I shall take the matters
under consideration, Send
Abstracts from your Letter to Mr. Gerrish, and do everything in my
Power to Secure your Interest, but the strange Confusion the Pro
visions were in, £ Deaths of Commissarys, one after another, made
things so Intricate that I much fear, whether ever things can be made
Clearer, than what I have done, and you must settle with the Gov
ernment, in best manner you can, with what I have sent you, the
often change also of Commanding Officers at Annapolis, & Chig
necto & many dead since. Two killed at Newfoundland makes
things worse & more difficult than otherwise would have been, as
for Deschamps we can have no Redress. I Drove that matter, as
far as it would bear. We have a very hard Winter & no Commu-
1 Rev. Edward G. Porter, in a recent examination of the files of papers
at the Province House, Halifax, N.S., found abundant evidence of the busi
ness relations between Thomas Hancock and the government. He fur
nished vessels and food supplies.
THOMAS HANCOCK
(By Blackburn.)
JOHN HANCOCK ENTERS THE FIRM
nication at present, with Annapolis or Chignecto, all froze up & no
Navigation can Stir to or from thence.
I thank You for paying my Bill. I am now Considerably in Ad
vance for I sent Provisions to Annapolis &c. as you will have seen
by Letters I have wrote you the months past, & more I must Pur
chase soon, but hope the Peace will make them more Plenty &
Cheaper; I congratulate You upon it, and think it a good Peace.
I have taken my Nephew, Mr. John Hancock into Partnership
with me, and you will please in future to Direct to Thomas Han
cock Esqr. £ Company.
We are Sir,
Your most Obedt Humble Servts.
MATTHEW WOODFORD Kso/-
On Feb. 22 they write to Messrs. Jonathan Barnard
& Co. for the fol
lowing : —
2 prs. sup. fine Black
Broad Cloth 7-41*. d.
2 prs. good Black. ©
'5-
i prs. sup. fine Black
Shalloon.
i prs. sup. fine Blue
Broad Cloth 7~4rs. d.,
deep Mazarene Blue.
The "Peace"
which Mr. Hancock
refers to was that of
Feb. 10, 1763, which
ended the colonial
possession of France
MRS. THOMAS HANCOCK.
(Lydia Henchman. By Blackburn.)
in North America.
John Hancock became a partner of the firm at a time
when his uncle was ill, and the young man was burdened
with great responsibilities. We learn from the follow
ing letters that Thomas Hancock was a sufferer from
1 8 JOJ1X HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
the same disease that made life a burden to his nephew
when engrossed with the cares of an extensive business
as well as the responsibilities of an experimental gov
ernment.
BOSTON, March i8th, 1763.
SIR : This serves to acquaint you of the Death of John Wen
dell, Esqr your attorney in the affairs of the Ship, William Gal
ley. Our last Letters Acquainted you the Particulars of that affair,
and I am very Sorry to find that there is no Prospect of having Jus
tice done to the Concerned in this Country.
I must Desire that you will be pleased to Impower some other
Gentleman to Receive the Papers £ Settle the Acco" of Expences,
which we have been at, and to Carry on the Suit. I am Sorry to
Say, that my Health will not permit me to Attend that Business,
having been Confined these three months with the Gout, & don't
Expect to be able to attend to very little Business again, if any.
I am Sir,
Your most Obed1 £ most Hum We Servt-
WILLIAM BETH ESQR.
Via New York. By Davis to Amsterdam.
On the same date Mr. Thomas Hancock writes the
following to Lady Warren : —
MADAM : The Letters you sent me in Your Last to the Gentle
man, Indebted to the Estate of Sir Peter Warren, were Delivered,
and I am Sorry to Say have had no manner of Effect. I have been
constantly applying, and have not Rec'd a Farthing from either of
them since, and I am to Desire Your Ladyship to Send proper
Powers of Attorney to some Gent" here to take upon them the Trust
of Collecting in the Remainder of the Debts due to said Estate, that
my Health will not permit me to go through that Business.
I have now been Confined above three months to my House,
«with a Nervous Disorder & the Gout, that I am not able to Give
that Attention to Your affairs, which they absolutely Require. I
beg therefore that Powers may be Sent over immediately to Receive
of me the Books & Mortgages which remain unpaid, and settle with
me for the Money I have Rec'd & Remitted You ; in the mean time,
I shall be doing everything in my Power to Secure your Interest.
S/A1 PETER AND LADY WARREN 19
Mrs. Hancock joins me in our Respectfull Complim'ts to Your
Ladyship, and I am Madam
Your Most Obedt Humble Servt.
P.S. I have Rec'd. no answer to my Letters, respecting the
Demand made on me, for Sir Peter's Subscription to the Church at
Cambridge, with a Letter from Mr. Inman.
LADY WARREN.
The above postscript has reference to Christ Church,
the first rector of which was Rev. East Apthorp, who
APTHORP HOUSE, CAMBRIDGE.
left the parish and the Province because society was not
congenial to him. Among his associates and workers in
this church were the families of Vassal!, Inman, Oliver,
Phips, Lechmere, Brattle, and such as lived in Brattle
Street, Cambridge, at one time known as "Tory Row."
By these letters we are impressed with the disadvan
tages under which merchants and mechanics conducted
their business. The only means of conveyance and
20 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
communication with foreign countries were the clumsy
sailing-vessel of the time ; and several months were re
quired to get an order filled in England for a few casks
of common nails or a few domestic supplies, such as are
ordered for Mrs. Hancock in March, 1763, viz., "One
dozen bottles of very best double distilled lavender
water;" or for the house in June, viz., "Seventy-six
casks of nails. Let them be made of good stuff and
drawn and full size, the cask of the same make with
the London cask, not flat hoops."
FAMILY SUPPLIES 21
CHAPTER IV
FAMILY SUPPLIES. THE BOSTON PACKET. JAMES SCOTT FIRST
APPEARS. SHIP COAL FROM NEWCASTLE. SETTLING GEN
ERAL WHITMORE'S ESTATE. THOMAS HANCOCK FAILS IN
HEALTH. GARRISON SUPPLIES. PROVINCE TREASURY AS
A BANK.
ON March 20, 1763, the Hancocks send an order to
London for family supplies, and give some positive busi
ness directions: —
We wish the fav You will send one do/.. Bottles of very best
double distilled Lavender water, for Mrs. Hancock, £ please to let
it be well Cork'd £ Tied over with Bladder, £ charge our acco«-
The Bottles our J. H. Brought, were so badly Cork'd that they were
useless, those were put up by Miss Crowes ; please to let them be
carefull.
You will please to Protest the Bill on Beth £ keep it by you as
we shall forward the accott by next oppory, when I Expect he pays
the Bill, or will put it into Chauncery, not so much for the Value of
the Money, as for the Insult in Refusing payment. We look upon
it very ill usage, & beg you will please to Signify so much to him
by a Letter. After the money was Expended, in his Service & every
method us'd for his Interest, he should refuse to pay the Necessary
Expences, because it faiPd of the Success he Desir'd. Have wrote
him to appoint some other persons.
MESSRS. JONA. BARNARD & Co.
The firm address Matthew Woodford, Esq., in regard
to provisions for garrisons under date of May 6, 1 763 : —
We have already wrote you by this Conveyance whence you
had Lists to 20^ March. We have already furnished Provisions to
22 JOHN HANCOCK, I I IS BOOK
the Different Posts for your 500 men, in part, and are now Sending
more to last up to 25111 Dec. next, and as this is the time of year to
lay in Provisions, we are Purchasing every thing at the Cheapest
Rates, and you may Rely every step shall be Taken to Advance y'r
Interest. As soon as the whole supplies are gone, we shall Trans
mit you the acco" of our Advances, now Considerably in Advance.
We have Drawn on You by this oppor'y for ^1000, sterPg in favr
of Jona Barnard & Co. in part, which you will please to honour.
We shall shortly Transmit, a particular acco"> & then Draw for the
Remaining Ballance.
We Congratulate you on the Conclusion of a Peace, & hope we
shall soon be able to take your Contract on a footing that will be
satisfactory on all sides, be assured no one shall more Consult your
Interest in all Respects & better carry on your Contract than —
Sir, Your most Obed* Serves-
To MATTHEW WOODFORD, ESQR.
i III II Ml I
LONGFELLOW HOUSE.
(One of the Houses of Tory Row. Built about 1759, by Colonel John Vassall.)
In a letter to their London agents, the Hancock firm
write under date of May 6, 1763 : —
TIIK ROSTOV PACKET 2$
We duly note what Mr. G. II. mentions Respecting our Con
cerns with You in a Yessell solely for the London Trade, which
think will answer, & as soon as can see Mr. Folger, shall Deter
mine; & if agreeable, shall then set up one that will be most suit
able ; of which more in our next.
We shall by next oppor'y Transmit our whole acco" to Mr.
Woodford & Remit you a Bill on him.
We are with Esteem Gent11
Your most Obed1 Servts.
On the following date they write : —
We Desire you will please to ship us by very first oppor'y Fif
teen or Twenty Tons of best Petersburgh Brack Hemp. This we
want for whale Warps & must be of the very best quality. The
last you sent was good, & desire you will keep up to the like good
ness, which charge to our accolt-
We are in great haste
Gent"
Your most Obedt Servts-
MESSRS. JONA- BARNARD & Co.
Under date of June 7, there is another letter in re
gard to building the vessel already mentioned : -
We have Consulted with Capt. Folger in Regard to his Con
cerns with you & us in a Vessel which we agree to, and have accord
ingly set at a vessel to be Built in Boston by Hunt, a very good
Builder. To be a ship of 160 Tons £ think to call her the Boston
Packett, to be Launched by the middle of September, every thing to
be Done, in the best manner. Shall aim to have her a prime going
Ship, handsome £ to Carry well, plain but neat & for the London
Trade, to Hold in Thirds, or other ways, if Folger does not Chose
so large a Concern. We think Capt. Folger will take the Com
mand of her, at least for two or three voyages & we need not tell
You he is a suitable man.
Inclosed is a pattern of Scarlet Bays or Whitney, which we De
sire you will send a piece of, to be very best.
Please to acquaint Mr. Lepley we Rec\l his letters & Powers &
have Rec'd the papers of Mr. Royall & shall do all in our power for
his Interest, & will write him by next oppor'y.
24 JOHN HAXCOCK, HIS BOOK
We hope soon to hear from You & having not to add, we remain
with Esteem Gent" Your most obedt Humble Servts-
Should the Devonshire, Capt, Hunter not be arriv'd when this
comes to hand, we desire You will make Insurance to the full on
Ten hogs pott ash we ship You by him.
BOSTON, June 14, 1763.
GENT* : We have none of Your fav* unanswered. The Glass
not yet Arriv'd. This is the Desire you will by first opp'y, Ship
us the few things mentioned at Bottom hereof — & beg your care
that the nails be well Drawn, the last you sent were extreme Bad,
that we met with Difficulty in the sale of them, for their amo we
shall order you payment in Time.
We are with Esteem —
Gent" Your most obed. serves.
Please to Send
10 ps. Red narrow Bristol Bays
5 " Blue Do
20 pr. German Serge, half Blue not dy'd in the cloth & half good
cloth coll's
30 cask iod Nails'^
20 Do S<l Do Let them be made of Good stuff well
6 Do 6d Do - Drawn & full size, the Cask of the same
10 Do. 4d Do. make with the London Cask, not flat Hoops.
10 Do. 20^ Do.J
MESSRS. DEVONSHIRE £ REEVE.
On the same date, to London agents, they write : -
We are using all Expedition in Building the Ship, as many hands
as can work on her are Employ'd & shall be carefull to have her well
finished — We think we shall soon ship some oil in thirds with You
& Folger. Folger Returns home this day & if the Price breaks as
he Expects he will then make a purchase —
\Ve shall soon write you again.
We Remain with Esteem
Your most hble servts-
Under date of June 27, 1763, the Hancock firm men
tions, for the first time, the man, James Scott, who plays
a most prominent part in the business and domestic
JAMES SCOTT FIRS T APPEARS 2$
affairs of the Hancock family for the next half century.
They also say : —
The Hemp, Duck & Anchor for the new ship you did not send
by Jarvis as you Designed. We are going on fast with the Ship.
We observe what Mr. J. II. mentioned Respecting the person Mr.
Cahill Recommended for Mastr, at present are of opinion Mr.
Folger will Command her. Should he alter his mind the preference
will be given to this Mr. Scott.
We are much hurried at present, that we can't add, save that we
are with Esteem Gent'n,
Your most obedt Humble Servts.
MESSRS. JONATHAN BARNARD & Co.
In these days, when coal is so abundantly supplied at
our doors that the owners of forests of wood can hardly
afford to have it prepared for fuel, we scarcely realize
that sailing-vessels brought coal from England, and that
our American mountains were then filled to bursting
with inexhaustible stores of it. With what envious eyes
many of the poor, dependent upon the countrymen who
hauled their fuel on ox-teams to Boston, must have
looked into the homes of the Hancocks, Faneuils, Hench-
mans, and others, where the family gathered about the
grate, flaming with English coals, procured as indicated
in this letter :
BOSTON, June 14^, 1763.
SIR : This day we Rec'd your favour of Hth of April last, advis
ing you are Sending the Ship Mary, John Honnog, master to our
address, with a Load of Coals. The Ship does not yet appear, but
when she arrives, we shall Dispose of the Coals most to your Advan
tage ; it's unlucky there is a great Quantity of Coals in Towne, fear
26 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
they will not sell Immediately, in that case must be obliged to Store
them, in order to Discharge the Ship, according to Charter, which
you may Depend we shall at the smallest Expense possible, and do
everything in our power to Serve Your Interest. We are Sir,
Your most ob'nt, Humble Serv'ts.
To BENJ'N BIRKBECK, ESQ'R. at the New Castle Coffee House, St.
Mary's Hill, London.
After the sale of the freight, the following was writ
ten :-
BOSTON, July 29^, 1763.
SIR : We wrote you first Inst. of the arrival of Capt. Honnog &
that the Coals were sold. We now Inclose You Acco" of sales,
with Capt. Honnogs Rec* for ^200 SteiTg ; paid him, & our Bill
on Messr. Jona. Barnard & Co. for the Ballance due to you being
£22. o. 3. We have charged no Commission on Cash paid or the
Remittance, are Sorry the Coals fetch no better price, but we did
the best we could — & as for ourselves there was no Prospect of
Coals Rising. The Town well supplied & the Charge of Storing
very high and might have staid unsold 12 mo. That we think we
acted upon ye whole most for yr. Interest, in Disposing of them at
the first good offer, and are persuaded no Coals will be better sold
this Season.
The Ship was Dispatched in the Ten days agreeable to Charter
party, £ Capt. Honnog sail'd for Carolina 21st- Inst.
We Tender you any further Services in our Power, £ you may
Rely none shall more study your Interest in all Respects than Sir,
Your most humble Servts.
To MR. BENJ'N BIRKBECK, at the New Castle Coffee House, St.
Mary's Hill, London.
On Aug. 2, 1763, in writing to their London agents
the Hancocks say : -
Messrs. Folger & Gardiner applied to us to be concerned with
you & them g in Oyle to be sliipt to you, which we complied with
& by this opp'y Capt Jarvis, we have shipt about 30 Tons. In
voice & % you will have in the Compa Letter. We have Shipt
about 45 Tons on board Jacobson, who will sail in a few days.
We Desire you will please to pay Major General Bastide ^12. 5. 3
SETTLING GENERAL WHITMORE'S ESTATE 2J
sterg. & charge our acco" being a Ball* due from T. II. to Major
Patrick Mackellar £ p'd him by his order, & forward his Rect-
By Jacobson we shall ship Two Trunks, & some cash for Capt.
Edward Whittemore & when they arrive we pray your care of them
& when he applies to Deliver them to him, we shall also forward
you a Discharge for him with the other Heirs of the late Gen1
Whittemore to sign.
We have not to add save we are with Esteem
Gent"
Your most Obed* humble Servts-
MESSRS. JONA BARNARD £ Co.
The three following letters afford a few hints in re
gard to the manner of settling estates of deceased men,
and to the last French war, and also of the physical
condition of the senior member of the Hancock firm.
On July 4, 1763, in a letter to Capt. Edward Whit-
more, who represents several heirs, Thomas Hancock
says : —
SIR : I Rec'd your favr with the Duplicate of March 9^. I am
Glad the Bill for ^1000 steriv. was duly paid.
I here Inclose you Capt. Campbells original note of Hand for
the Hundred Pounds Sterl'g. Genl. Whitmore lent him, which have
Recorded in the Notary's office. I thought best to Transmit! this
now that you may Demand the money of him.
I have got all my acotts Ready Relative to Gen'l Whitmore's
Estate & should have transmitted them with your Papers, by this
opp'y, with the Ballance in my Hands, but the Chief Justice, who
is Judge of Probate is Gone the Circuit, and has been absent some
time, at whose office the accotts must pass, which has put it out of
my Power to do it now, but it shall be done at his Return, which
will be soon. I am Sir
Your most Obed' Humble Servt-
CAPT. EDWARD WHITMORE.
BOSTON, .ln^st ist, 1763.
SIR: This Advises you that I shall ship you by Capt. Howard
Jacobson, on board the Ship Boscowen Two Trunks of Papers, One
Hundred Guineas, a Gold Watch & Silver Cup, consigned to Messrs
28 JOHN 11 A \ COCK, 111S BOOK
Jona Barnard & Co., who will Deliver them to you on their arrival,
these Guineas are the same I Reed, among Genl.Whitmore's money,
are very short of weight, & to pass them here would be a Great
Loss, as they must weigh here 5 dwt. 9 gr. & the Reason 1 did not
send them before was the Insurance, very high, on accott of the
war. I give you this Advice that you may Insure if you think fitt.
1 shall write you more particularly by Capt. Jacobson, and am
Sir
Your most Obed1 Humble Serv1-
CAPT. EDWARD WHITMOKE.
BOSTON, Angst 2, 1763.
DEAR SIR: I Rec'd your fav April Is* from Bath, Inclosing a
Letter for Mr. Bastide, I herewith Return, as he Sail'd from hence
to London, in Capt. Farr, some Time since. I hope the Bath will
be of Service to you, of which shall be Glad to hear.
I now write to our Friend Barnard & Co. to pay you for Accts of
Majr Mackellar ^12. 5. 3. Sterlg. Balla. due him from me, when
you have Rec'd it, please to Acquaint him of it with my Compts-
The first of March last I Renewed your note for ^300 & added
the Interest to that Time .£13, and Took a new note for ^313, or
must have Rec'd the Principal money out of the Treasury, the 20^
June last, this new note is payable 2o*h June 1766.
I am very weak & cannot get well, my Legs & Feet swell much
& I am Incapable of Doing hardly any Business, the Rest of the
Family are pretty well.
Mrs. Hancock joins me in our most Respectfull Compts to you
& your Lady, Mrs. Bastide & the Young Ladies.
I am very sincerely, Dear Sir,
Your most Obed' £ most Humble Serv»-
Dr. Cooper1 & Mrs. Hancock send their comps.
MAJOR GENERAL BASTIDE &c. &c. &c.
The treasury alluded to above and in other letters
was the Province Treasury, which served as a bank of
deposit for the people of the time.
Under the same date, a letter is written to Matthew
1 Dr. Cooper was the pastor at the Brattle-street Church, attended by
the Hancock family.
GARRISON SUPPLIES 29
Wopdford, Esq., from which more facts are obtained in
regard to supplies for the garrisons : —
SIR : Inclosed you have three months victualling Lists, one from
March 2i»t to 17^ April, 1763, for 13698 Rations, one from i8th
April to 15't'i May 13424 Rations, one i6tl» May to I2t'» June 15093
Rations.
We have Rec'd no Letter from you since 7th March, have the
Pleasure to Tell you, that, Mr. Williams has got clear of all the old
Bread except 1 140!^-, but we were obliged to send him from Boston a
Quantity of higher prized Bread for the officers, &c. to help it oft'
& make 'em easy. We will Endeavor to get a Certificate from the
Officers, if we can, that you may Recover this Loss, of the Govern
ment, as Mr. Gerrish Recommends.
As the Government are Repairing the Fort at Annapolis, suppose
the numbers will be Augmented, Considerable of which Expect soon
to hear.
To my Great Surprise, Mr. Gerrish writes me Mr. Townsend
has forbid him to act any longer as Commissary for you. Copies
of his Letters you have here Inclosed, as also one from Mr. Wil
liams. We have wrote to Desire his Continuance, or to Recom
mend such an one as we may Depend upon Doing us Justice. We
wish & hope Mr. Gerrish to Continue Hill can hear from you on
this Head. We have victuall'd Chignecto & Annapolis up to Dece™ ,
& some Groceries over done. Bread & Flour we Sent to Philadelphia
for. As these articles come Cheaper & there is a Necessity soon to
send six months more, to Chignecto, for the Navigation to that
Place will not admit without great Risque, of Sending there after
October & should a Cargo be lost, there would be no Replacing it
again the whole winter & no Going to that Place, till April or May,
with any safety, to Annapolis can send at almost any Time & shall
Defer buying Pork, for that Place, till new comes in, to Compleat the
next six months. The Reason for Sending so much Flour to Chig
necto is they issue it instead of Bread, & it's a cheaper Freight.
We have Insisted on Issuing all the Rice they possibly can &
they say they do, even to Troops Complaining of having so much
Rice.
Provisions are still high. The Droughts for two years past made
a Great Scarcity. Pork is now 15 Dollars pr. Barrel we bought
hitherto for you Cheaper, but for the next six months, we must give
more, are Going to Send to Philadelphia, & see what it can be had
30 JOIIAT //AA'COCA', HIS BOOK
for there. We have now a good Season & Like to have Great Crops,
that next Year all Provisions must fall, propose to Send for Bread,
Flour, Pork &c. to Philadelphia, to make up what's wanted, for the
next six months, when we draw our own Bills of Exchange, & pay
the ready money, as we did for the last Cargo, & is Cheaper than
can be purchased here, although it's more trouble to us. Are now
in advance for you. Acco«s will be Sent as soon as we have
Time to Get them out, when shall Draw for the Ballance.
You may Depend we shall on all occasions, act, what we think
will be most for your Interest and are
Sir,
Your most obedt & most Humble Servants.
BOSTON, Angst 17, 1763.
GENTN : By Jarvis. we wrote You & handed You Invoice of 212
Casks Sperm Oil, in thirds with You & selves, hope will arrive safe
& meet a good market.
We now Inclose You Invoice & Bill of Lading of 119 Casks
Sperm Oil, & 172 Casks Whale Oil, Shipt, on board the Boscawen,
Howard Jacobson Master, to Your address pr Invoice, on acco"
and Risque of you & selves, wish may arrive safe. We would just
observe to You that this Whale Oil, is far preferable to what com
monly is at Your market, it is quite white & sweet, & well manu
factured. We therefore Desire Your particular Inspection of it, in
the Sale, & we judge will fetch a better Price than the brown sperm,
as the quality of this much excedes the common sorts and you may
Recommend it for Such. We also cover You the cost of the whole
amo, to ,£1436. 14. 4 Lawfull Money. One third of the n* Proceeds
you will please to carry to the credit of T. H. & Co. ; the other
two thirds to be Settled between Yourselves £ Folger & Gardner,
to whom is left the Settlement of the Purchase of Your third here,
& they will Draw for that Amount.
The new Ship goes on very well, we Expect she will be Launched
by 15^ Sepf next, & shall be able to get her away by Ist Nov-
We believe this vessel will answer Your Expectations, as she ap
pears to be well Executed, and will be a fine Ship, at least no Pains
is spar'd to have her so.
We are Gentn ,
Your most Obed*. Humble Serves ,
THOMAS HANCOCK & Co.,
FOLGER & GARDNER.
To MESSRS. JON*- BARNARD & Co.
SETTLING GEXERAL WHITMORE*S ESTATE 31
The following letter of Aug. 23 shows that the legal
steps have been taken in settlement of the Whitmore
estate, and gives a hint at the working of the law of
primogeniture as far as it was applicable in this coun
try:-
You will see that the Judge has made a Distribution of the Es
tate here, according to our Laws & Decreed You two shares of said
Estate, you being the Eldest son. I have acted in all things what
I thought for your Interest. The Rank the General held in the
Army, occasioned the expense of his funeral to be much higher than
otherwise it might have been, but as he had all the Honors paid
him according to his Rank, I am persuaded you will think the money
well expended.
The keys of the Trunks are in the Bag with the Guineas.
32 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
CHAPTER V
THOMAS HANCOCK'S PRIVATE CHARITY. LAUNCHING OF THE
BOSTON PACKET. HER FIRST VOYAGE. JAMES OTIS AS
ATTORNEY. OTHER NOTED LAWYERS. HANCOCK SENDS
FOR WIGS. COSTUMES OF THE TIME. CORRESPONDENCE
WITH LADY WARREN. AID TO PRISONERS AT BREST.
HANCOCK FIRM LOST CONTROL OF NANTUCKET OIL TRADE.
DEALS IN MORTGAGES.
BOSTON, September 10^, 1763.
MY DEAR SIR : I am to acquaint you, that both Capt. Peter
Bulkley, £ his mother Mary Bulkley are Dead. Peter made a Will
& Gave all to his Mother, who Died before him, & left nothing in
this Country, that I can find. They are both in my Debt, for which
Reason I have Taken out Letters of Administration upon both their
Estates, the Reason I did it on Peter's was on Acc't of the Estate
said to be his, in your Hands, and I most earnestly Desire that you
will please to let me know the Circumstances of that Estate, and
whether there will be any thing finally to Receive, when and what it
may be. I have Given Bonds to the Office & wholly maintained old
Mr- Bulkley & Wife for many Years except what of your Goodness
you advanced to her when at Boston, this I did in Compassion to
the good old People, & if there is no Help for me from you out of
that Estate at Epsom, I must wait for my Reward in the other
World.
I shall be extreamly Obliged to you for a Line on this Subject,
by first Opportunity, & to hear of your Health & Happiness.
Mrs. Hancock Joins in Compliments to both you & your good
Lady, and believe me to be with great Regard
Dear Kilby
Your most Obliged Friend & most Obed* Humble Servt.
P.S. You shall have Certificates if you please, of my Administra
tion from the Office.
CHRISTOPHER KILBY, ESQ*-
LAUNCHING OF THE BOSTON- PACKET 33
In writing under date of Sept. 26, the Hancocks
say: —
The 24th Inst. the New Ship was Launched & we shall use the
utmost Dispatch to fit her for the Sea, & get her away as soon as
possible. We think her a good vessell, well Built & believe will
Answer your Expectations in every Respect, am sorry Loring is not
in, as we much want that Mr. Scott whom you Recommend ; if she
does not soon arrive, we must be obliged to fill up his Birth. We
are much Hurried and add but that we hope soon to hear from you
& that we are with Esteem Gent",
Your most Obedt Serves.
MESSRS. JONA. BARNARD & Co.
A month later, in a letter to the London agents, we
read : —
Our ship Boston Packett will certainly sail by the loth Novr
had we not met with Disappointments, in oyle, would have sailed
sooner, in Regard to Insurance act as you Judge best. Should She
not arrive in Time, believe it best to Insure ^1600 01-^1700 sterlg,
on the Ship, Nath^l Coffin, master. As to the Cargo, cannot ascer
tain any sum, not being wholly loaded, but should you imagine any
Risque by her not arriving, You will make Insurance on her Cargo,
to the am° of ^2500 SterPg or ^3000, upon the whole leave it you
to act as You think best. The Ship &. Cargo, being in thirds with
You, ourselves, & Folger & Gardiner.
Every student of the Revolutionary period of our his
tory becomes deeply interested in James Otis, and must
welcome the slightest allusion to that brilliant man. His
famous speech in 1761 against the "Writs of Assis
tance " gave him a most enviable reputation as an orator
and as a lawyer. We find that the Hancocks lose no
opportunity to recommend him as a lawyer to their
commercial associates in England having business trans
actions here. It requires but little exercise of our im
agination to see James Otis as he walks in and out the
Hancock counting-room, lingers to take advice of the
34
JOHN 11AXCOCK, HIS BOOK
senior member of the firm, or to exchange a friendly
greeting with John Hancock, who was but a few years
his junior.
BOSTON, October 27^, 1763.
SIR : We Reed. Your Letter of July 14^ last, covering Your
Letter & Power of Attorney to James Otis, Esq. which we Deld to
him, in Consequence of which he Immediately Sett out for Newbury,
are Sorry, without Success, as he will write You by this opportu
nity, to which we Refer,
find Mr- Harris's Effects
were all made over &
Secured to Messrs. Tric-
othick & Co. long ago.
We had a Letter from
Harris declaring, till Mr.
Otis acquainted him, he
never heard of Your
Name, nor of this De
mand ; he has a good
Character here & a fair
honest man. These Mis
fortunes are certainly
brought upon him by
his Partner Cummings.
We are really sorry for
you. Mr. Harris has
since Taken Passage for
London, to Settle his
affairs, having not had a letter from his Partner, these 18 months.
We should have been very ready to have assisted Mr. Otis in the
affair & have paid Mr. Otis, his Demand ^4. 10. sterling, which
you will please to Repay to Mr. Barnard & Co.
We are Sir,
Your Most Obedt Humble Servt.
To MR ARTHUR JONES, Mercht.
London.
The following letter of Oct. 29, 1763, suggests condi
tions of the market here which to the merchant of to
day seem almost incredible : —
JAMES OTIS.
JAMES OTIS AND OTHER NOTED LAWYERS 35
This is to Desire you will as soon as possible & without Fail
Ship us from Cork 250 Barrels of Best Irish Pork & 100 Firkins of
good Irish Butter, the weight of each Barrell of Pork to be mark'd
on the head, to be well Packed. This Article will be very Scarce &
Dear here, that we must Depend upon your shipping it with the 100
Firkins of Butter to be here in all March if possible & if no oppor'y
to this place, Ship it to Halifax to the care of Benj. Gerrish Esqr.
and as soon as the next May Butter is fit to ship we Desire you will
then ship us 100 Firkins more of the best new Rose May Butter.
We rely on your care to have these articles of the best kind & pur
chased at the best Rates, which charge to our accott.
We beg your attention to this that we may not by any means be
disappointed, as we shall be in great want of it.
We are with Respect
Gentn,
Your most hum. Servts.
MESSRS. JON*. BARNARD & Co.
In a letter of Nov. 4, 1763, Mr. Thomas Hancock
writes : —
I can heartily Recommend the following Gent" of the Law, if
Mr. Beth or Capt. Covenhoven think proper to Impower, with Mr.
John Wendell £ they may Depend any of them will serve them
faithfully, viz., James Otis Esqr-, Oxenbridge Thatcher Esqr-, or
Robert Auchmuty Esqr.
These lawyers were all prominent at the opening of
the Revolution. Thatcher's office was near the south
door of the Old State House. Auchmuty lived on School
Street, and was a judge in the court at one time.
The Hancock firm were burdened with a variety of
duties for people abroad. In a letter of Nov. 7, 1763,
they give advice in regard to a land claim. Thus —
Inclosed you have a Return of the Land's value to which Refer.
You'll observe there is 303 Acres taken into the Province of New
Hampshire & in their Possession, & not to be Recover'd, as You
are here informed, without an application to King & council ; of
this You will consider, whether it is worth your while to be at the
36 JOHN HANCOCK, JUS BOOK
Expence of. There is many People in this Country who have Lands
Taken from them in the same manner, & have gone through Law
Suits. Lost their Cases. They no Doubt will be willing to join
You, should it be worth your while to make application Home.
We have paid for Examination of the Records, Postage, of Let
ters, &c. We are Sir
Your Most Obedt. Humble Servt-
ANDREW LESLEY ESQ.
The land trouble referred to above was doubtless the
outcome of the adjustment of the boundary in 1741 be
tween New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
In a letter of Nov. 9, 1763, we learn that the Han
cock firm send for foolscap paper, and remind their
agents that the last sent was too poor to take ink. A
great variety of duties were intrusted to their foreign
agents. On the I4th of the same month they send for
a large quantity of grindstones to come by their new
ship, Boston Packet, and close a long letter with the
following : —
o
Our J. H. asks the fav'r that Mr. Harrison will please to get
made & sent him I neatt Bag wig and I neatt Bob wig. Fashion
able & of a light colour, the size of Mr. Barnard's will nearly suit
the Tie wig Mr. Birch made which J. H. Brought with him fitted
very well. The cost of them Mr. Harrison will charge in his little
accott with J. H.
The above order, and others for family supplies, sug
gest the costume of the time. Whoever met with
Thomas Hancock in his home, doubtless saw him dressed
in a red velvet cap, with an inside cap of white linen
which turned over the edge of the velvet two or three
inches ; a blue damask dressing-gown lined with sky-
blue silk ; a white satin waistcoat, with deep embroid
ered flaps ; black satin breeches, with long white silk
stockings, and red morocco slippers.
COSTUMES OF THE TIME
37
If they met him on the street or at the warehouse,
they noticed that he had changed his velvet cap for his
bag or bob wig, and had on a large three-cornered hat ;
in place of his flowered brocade he had on a gold-laced
coat of red or blue broadcloth, with deep lace ruffles at
the wrists ; had a sword on his side, and wore on his
feet a pair of shoes with great silver or gold buckles.
But the costume of the elder Hancock could not have
satisfied the younger. John Hancock in these days
would be called a dandy. His toilet was elaborate. His
shirt-front was trimmed
with fine lace, and doubt
less there was a great
brooch stuck in it. His
breeches were of green
or red velvet, or white,
lilac, or blue satin, and
his fine shoes had the
most expensive buckles.
These costumes af
forded little comfort
when the wearers were
racked and tormented with the gout, and doubtless
either Hancock would gladly have exchanged them for
the menial's costume if they could at the same time
have had the menial's freedom from the pain that
dragged them down to death.
The vessel that carried the orders for wigs, etc., took
the following to Messrs. Jona. Barnard & Co. : —
As Pork will be scarce & Dear here, we think, if it be at mod
erate Price, in Ireland, a cargo would come to a good markett, here
to be Early. We have wrote You by the " Boston Packett " to
ship us 250 Barrells £ 100 Firkins of Butter, to be here in all,
COCKED HAT AND HAT-BOX.
38 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
March, if possible. We now Desire You to send us Double the
Quantity at the lowest Freight, & if no oppory to this place, ship
it to Halifax to the address of Benj. Gerrish Esq. Or if You
prefer a Concern in Loading a small vessell to this place, we will
stand the half, and think some Beef might answer, but it must be
here early ; if You do not incline, we must Depend You will send
me the Quantity we wrote for, as soon as possible.
In a letter of Nov. 25 to the London agents we
read : —
What of your Goods by Blake, that are on shore & opened, turn
out well, except the single piece of scarlet Whitney we wrote for,
which as we limited no Price & mentioned it was solely for T. H. &
family's use this Winter, we Judg'd you would have been a little at
tentive to send it of the very best, had the expence been twice as
much ; instead of that you have sent a common Colchester Baize of
a bad colour & so immoderately Coarse that it is entirely useless &
some Disappointment to T. H. & will hardly answer for common
sale at the Price. We are not apt to P^ault You, but this we could
not help mentioning £ have to desire in future that you will please
to, when any Article is wrote for Family use, to send it of the very
best kind, cost what it will.
Thomas Hancock has occasion to write to Lady
Warren again. The letter places before the reader the
names of more of the lawyers of that time.
BOSTON, November 2$th , 1763.
MADAM : I Receiv'd your fav?r of a Letter, wherein you Desired
to pay Sir Peter's Subscription to the Church at Cambridge & that
you had Desired Mr. Delancy to Remitt me the money, I have since
Rec'd the Balla. of Majr Lockman's Bond, of poor Mr. Jones, who
is since Reduc'd, & not worth a Farthing, and have paid me said
Subscription out of that Money, and have wrote Mr. Delancey of
it, & that he need not send me the Money.
I should be very glad, were it in my Power to Settle your af
fairs ; but as my Health will not permitt, I beg you will Impower
some other Gent'n to take the Papers, settle with me, & Collect the
Remainder of your Debts.
AID 7V PRISONER AT /WEST 39
I would Recommend to you, James Otis, Esq'r or Robert Auch-
muty Esq'r, of the Law, or Nath'1 Wheelwright, Esqr., or Natiri
Bethune, EsqY., either of them will serve you faithfully.
Mrs. Hancock Joins me in best Comp'ts to you, and I am,
Madam
Your most obed't & most Humble Serv'nt.
HON'BLE LADY Sus. WARREN.
The firm take upon themselves a new duty, and write,
on Dec. 23, 1/63, to London agents thus : —
We some time ago wrote you Respecting one David McCloud,
who went a Randsomer for a vessell of Mr. Tim° Fitche's, we now
Request the favr, You will please to write over to Brest, where he
now is in Gaol, and order to be paid him, Five Pounds SteiTg which
charge to our acco"- This we do at the Desire of his Father ; &
you will please to signify the same to him & beg if you can be any
way servicible in setting him at Liberty, that you will please to do
it, as Mr. Fitch says he has money in your hands, & has Desired
you long ago to pay the Ransom.
In a letter of April 6, 1763, the Hancock firm ac
knowledge having failed to control the oil trade at Nan-
tucket.
GENTN : We have wrote You already by this Ship of 2^ Inst. :
since which we have Rec'd Your favr of 3otl1 Dec. and note the
contents. Observed You had made near full Insurance on the
Boston Packett. You say nothing of the Ship-master, nor, indeed
any thing about her, should have been glad to have known the
Character of Mr. Coffin, & whether You should like to Continue him
in the ship, of which you are silent.
The schooner from Nantucket, sailing to your place with oyle,
was very unlucky, more especially as it fetched so great a price, as
it may be a means of their continuing that method, beside keeping
up the price of oyle here. Capt. Folger did all he could to prevent
her sailing, but they were Determined upon it.
The early merchants had to manage with mortgages
as do modern traders. Witness the following : —
4° JOHN HANCOCK, JUS BOOK
BOSTON, February g//t, 1764.
GEXT* : I have taken Possession of Mr. Lewis Estate in Your
names, which was mortgaged a security for his and Se wall's Debt to
You, & can now sell so as to Receive your whole Debt, but the
Power of Attorney I have from you, is not sufficient to give a Title
to Real Estate, or I should have sold £ Reed the whole of your
Demands : I have therefore got a Power prepared agreeable to our
Laws, which is here Inclosed. You will please to get authenticated
& Return'd as soon as may be, for the Estate is mortgaged to two
other People since, for more than its worth, but we must be satis-
lied, which can't be unless I Give a good Title, which can't be done
until I have this Power £ you need be at no other Expence at
Home. I have Joined my Nephew in this Power, hope will be
agreeable to you.
I am Dear Sir,
Your most obed.t, Humble Servt-
MESSRS. CHRISTO KILBY &
JON* BARNARD £ Co.
PASSENGERS TO ENGLAND 41
CHAPTER VI
PASSENGERS TO ENGLAND. WILLIAM ROTCH IN THE COM
MERCIAL BUSINESS. JAMES SCOTT ADVISED TO PRUDENCE.
DEATH OF THOMAS HANCOCK. FUNERAL CUSTOMS. JOHN
HANCOCK AND NANTUCKET MERCHANTS. GROUP OF OLD
BOSTON MERCHANTS. LONDON INSURANCE.
MRS. EDWARD How goes to England in one of the
Hancock vessels to seek redress of the government.
In the vessel going next after her departure, Mr.
Thomas Hancock writes to her thus : —
BOSTON, February io///, 1764.
DEAR MADAM : After wishing you a good voyage & all Imagi
nable success in your affairs, this is to Desire you, when You have
Rec'd such money's of the Government, or other ways, as shall en
able you to pay the Ball* due to the late Com pa of Apthorp &
Hancock, that you will be so kind as to pay my half of the same to
Messrs. Jonathan Barnard £ Co. merchts1, in Size Lane, London
for my acco" ; and their Receipts shall Discharge the Estate of the
late Edward How Esqr from all Demand's upon said Estate.
I am with great Respect,
Madam
Your most ObecU Humble Servt-
P.S. Mr. Wheelwright will deliver you the acco" with a Letter.
To MRS- MARY MAG* How.
After several letters in regard to a renewal of contract
for supplying the garrisons at Nova Scotia, and in ad
justing former accounts, the Plancocks write to their
London agents : —
42 JOHN HANCOCK, II IS BOOK
BOSTON, July gth 1764.
GENT* : The Boston Packett sail'd 27^ of June & hope she is
well on her Passage — as she has had a fine time £ wish this may
find her safe with you & beg your utmost Diligence to Dispatch her
back, to this Place ; if not a full freight better to get away early than
lose a freight of White Oyl in the Fall, which shall be ready for
her.
The Brigt Lydia, James Scott, Masr will saile in six or eight
days, to your address, with a valuable cargo of Sperm Oil, in Equal
Thirds, with you, Folger & Gardner, & ourselves, as to Cargo.
The Brigt on your acco" and ours, in equal halves, if agreeable to
you. She is a very good Vessell & a. cheap one. We think it best
to make Insurance, at least in part & on Rec* of this, desire you
will please to Order Insurance to be made at the Lowest Prem<-
Viz't.
On Brigt Lydia, James Scott, Masr at and from Boston to Lon
don ^800. On Cargo & Freight, £2200, 3000, Sterling. * * Oil
is extremely high and scarce which you will Notice in the Sale.
We have been so very Lucky in purchasing a Cargo of Oil, for this
vessell & think we have Gained a Great Point, when Mr. RotcrTs
vessell lays waiting for Oil & she began to Load before Our Brigt
was Ready to Take in & indeed while the Boston Packett was
Load'g. You shall have some particulars hereafter.
Give us leave out of friendship just to mention that we think you
are not altogether so Regular in Your answers to Letters £ Sending
accotts of Sales, &c. as is Expected ; We have heard many Com
plaints of that Sort, which is apt to Prejudice Persons against your
House. We could not say so much, as could have wished, as there
is a great Proof of it as to our own accotts- This you will Excuse
& hope there will be no occasion for the like Complaints in future.
You will duly Notice that we did not Recommend Mrs. How to
you for Credit only for any little Civilities or Services you might
please to show her, as she was Distressed.
We can't add but that we are Sincerely
Gent"
Your most Obed* Servants.
MESSRS. BARNARD & HARRISON.
Mr. Rotch alluded to in the above letter was probably
William, brother of Francis Rotch, who built the ship
WILLIAM KOTCIf IN COMMERCIAL BUSINESS 43
Dartmouth, and placed her in the merchant service.
They were sons of Joseph Rotch. The family at first
appear at Nantucket, from whence they went to Dart
mouth, which in part became New Bedford. Mr. Fran
cis Rotch named his vessel, built in 1767, for the old
town, where he took up his abode at about the time of
his introduction to Mr. Hancock.
ROTCH WAREHOUSE, NANTUCKET.
There seemed to be a spirit of rivalry existing be
tween the Hancock firm and William Rotch, both being
engaged in the same branch of commerce.
In a letter of July — , 1764, to Barnard & Harrison,
sent by Brig Lydia, James Scott, master, the Hancocks
write thus : —
We could wish, tho' think it something unlikely, that you could
procure a Freight for the Brigt immediately back to this Place, or
to Halifax, if to be had without waiting, but rather than she should
be Delayed we would advise that the Brigt should with all Dispatch
44 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
proceed to New Castle & Receive on board a full Load of Coals, for
this Place, which \ve think will answer pretty well, especially as it
is not probable, many ships will come from thence, as our Marketts
have been so dull. In case she proceeds to New Castle, or on any
other voyage, you will keep her fully Insured, till her arrival at Bos
ton. We shall have a Load of Oyl Ready for the Brigt on her re
turn here. Messrs Folger & Gardner must pay 50 / steiTg per Ton,
Freight for one third the cargo, which Suppose you will Charge
them, and Credit our acco", for one half their freight.
You will please to advice Mr. Scott against incurring any need
less Expences on the Bright, & pray Recommend Prudence £ care
to him, as he is Young, & let him advise with you, Respecting
his conduct. The Brigt, has we think Provisions Sufficient to
bring her back & don't know any stores she is in want of.
This letter concludes with an order, which reveals the
suffering condition of the senior member of the firm : -
Please to send by the Boston Packett a covering for a Bed, to
be had at Mr. Fisher's, the Eiderdown Warehouse in Litchfield
street, Oxford market, pray be very particular in the choice of a
good one, as it is for our T. H.\s own use, in the Gout, about nine
or Ten Guineas1 Value. It is call'd an Eider down Quilt or Cover
ing; a Bale of Crocus for Bread Bags, 7 or 800 yds., yd. wd. ; i
Ton of Good Sound Cheshire cheese; 10 chests of Good Florence
Oyle. Send none but new. If the Bright goes to New Castle pray
order us from thence Ten Groce of best Quart Champaign Bottles,
for own use, to be well pack'd in Basketts.
But a few more letters are recorded during the month,
and there follow several blank pages suggestive of the
silence in the leading business house of the province.
The senior member, Thomas Hancock, died on Aug. i,
from apoplexy, being attacked while at Old State House,
where he was serving as one of his Majesty's council.
The funeral of Thomas Hancock was a ceremony in
keeping with the times, when gloves and rings were
freely given, according to the rank and estate of the
deceased. There was observed on this occasion, the
FUNERAL CUSTOMS 45
custom of hanging the escutcheon of a deceased head
of a family from the window or over the entrance of his
dwelling when the funeral ceremony was to begin.
The manner in which a house was prepared for a
funeral is thus described by Mrs. Stowe in " Old Town
Folks :"-
" It was a doctrine of these good old times, no less than of many
in our present days, that a house invaded by death should be made
as forlorn as hands could make it. It should be rendered as cold
and stiff, as unnatural, as dead and corpse-like, as possible, by closed
shutters, looking-glasses pinned up in white sheets, and the lock-
ing-up and out of sight of any pleasant little familiar object which
would be thought out of place in a sepulchre."
The funeral of Thomas Hancock was the last when
the extremes of custom, in the way of mourning-badges,
were observed.
The people of Boston decided upon a non-importation
system, to effect which they decided to abolish the ex
pensive costumes, as well as many other things.
The plan went into effect, and was demonstrated at
the funeral of a noted man, who died soon after Mr.
Hancock.
It seems to have been a carefully studied plan of Mr.
Hancock that his death should occasion no interruption
in the business of the firm.
As soon as the needful ceremonies were over, and the
legal steps for settlement of the estate had been taken,
John Hancock took his pen to give orders in his own
name.
His uncle had given him a large share of his fortune
of about seventy thousand pounds sterling, and he was
prepared to continue the business, and to extend it, as
may be inferred from the following letter: —
46 JOHN HANCOCK', HIS BOOK
BOSTON, Angst jy, 1764.
GENTN : I now Inclose you Invoice & Bill of Lading of thirty
one barrells & four hogsheads of potashes shipt on board the Eliza
beth, Edmd Wendell master to your address which you will dispose
of to the best advantage & credit my account for the produce. I
must desire you will have it all weighed, & dispose of it at the
smallest tare you can. I hope it will meet a good markett.
Inclosed is a Certificate from the Custom house of the several
Cargoes of oyl & the whale bone referred to in my Letter in C° wth
Folger & Gardner. I cannot now be so particular as I could wish,
being much Engaged & hurri'd. Pray dispatch the Boston Packett
& Brig* Lydia as early as possible that they may return with a Load
of oyl — .
The whole of the oyl shipt to Your Markett this year will Center
with You & Champion & Haley, £ Buxton & Symmes, & you may
depend in the fall that you will have as much or more, for- the plan
they have laid of Engrossing the whole oyl, will not Effect, neither
shall it, for I determined rather to increase than lessen my Concerns
in it. My visit to Nantuckett was very agreeable & formed such
Connections as to prevent any disappointment, I can have what
Oyl I please & of the best men there, which of course, takes from
the other Channell and is very chagrining to Mr. R h but he
knows my mind.
I continue in the same store, and propose carrying on the same
business as with my late Uncle, by myself, of which shall write you
more hereafter. I should be glad of your opinion respecting oyl &
Pott ashes, whale bone, £c., & to know your inclinations as to con
cerns in oyl, whether you would approve a concern in more than
what will load the ships & Brig's. Inclosed you have a Certificate
of landing the Tea & Partridge, so long depending in the Custom
House.
You will please to observe that Folger & Gardner settle with
You for the third of Cash of all the Cargoes except the Brigt Lydia's
Cargo, which I shall settle, & your third of sd Cargo being ^779.
13. 3. sterFg. You will please to carry to the credit of T. H. & Co.
& I have accordingly chg'd it to you £ you will credit s<l account
with one third the produce of all the Cargoes of oyl &c.
I am apply'd to by M»"- Timothy Fitch and the Parents of David
McCloud to undertake to get him released and Mr. Fitch will reim
burse the Expence.
I must desire the favor You will please to write over to Brest to
NANTUCKET MERCHANTS 47
know if he be there, and if he is, that You use your best Endeavour
to obtain his Release on the best terms you can, the Ransom is
^200. sterFg, & no doubt some Expences to pay, which pray En
deavour may be as moderate as possible £ I must desire You will
please to order it to be paid as soon as possible, and charge to my
account. Send me the amount with all charges that I may receive
it of Mr. Fitch.
I must further desire that when he is released You would procure
him a passage to this place, if any vessel of mine in the River, I
would give him his passage in her. Pray get him released imme
diately.
I must beg leave to Referr to my next, for what I have further to
say, and am with the greatest respect
Gentn
Your most obedt. Servt.
The cost of Brigt Lydia and Expences of Boston Packett shall
be sent by next.
To MESSRS. BARNARD & HARRISON.
Again, to same agents, Mr. Hancock says : —
We shall be glad You will be Explicit in Your opinion respect
ing oyl & whether You would chuse a Concern in more than what
will load the Ship and Brig. The whole of the oyl will centre
with You, Champion & Haley, and Buxton & Symmes. You will
have a large Quantity in the Fall, for we are determined the plan
they have laid shall not take effect, and should they have any Con
versation with You on the subject, pray be cautious how you open
Yourself to them & keep them ignorant of our Concerns, for J. H is
determined to pursue this business, which takes from the Channel
of R — h and Centres it with you. Pray, in all Your Letters inform
us what you can of oyl &c. & be frequent in your advices, this may
be of use to us.
We have not to add but that we are with much respect,
Gent" Your most obedt Servts.
On Aug. 20 Mr. Hancock writes to Matthew Wood-
ford, Esq., informing him of the death of his uncle, of
his intention to continue the business, and his desire to
continue supplying the garrisons at Nova Scotia. He
48 fOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
keeps a sharp lookout for the conditions of the market
in oil, and writes his London agents on Oct. 10, 1764 : —
I was a little surprized that Champion & Haley should get for
the oyl in Coffin ^29, & ours but £27. I dou't not youV doing your
utmost, but such things are apt to give a Prejudice to some People,
but you may depend I shall always do my utmost for the Interests
of Your house in all respects. I must beg at all events You will
send me the Co. Accounts settled. I long e'er now Expected the
sales of the oyl, & pray close those accounts as soon as possible.
Mr. Hancock notifies Barnard & Harrison that he
has drawn bills on them in favor of several gentlemen,
amounting to ,£3,668. This was done between Sept. 24
and Oct. 1 2, showing that he did somewhat of an exten
sive banking business together with his other branches.
The list of names is of interest, as among them are
men who were prominent in Boston's affairs of that
time and during later years : —
Thomas Amory, who built a stately edifice at the corner of Park
and Beacon Streets.
Samuel Abbott.
William Bowes, a cousin of John Hancock, of whom more will
be said.
Burnell & Barker, a Nantucket firm.
John Cunningham.
Samuel Eliot, a reformer in the Fire Department and a dealer
in dry goods in Dock Square.
Royal Tyler, Esq., one of a young men's club in 1777-1778.
They had a room at the corner of Court and Brattle Streets,
where they met and discussed politics, literature, and war
(says Drake).
Benjamin Clark was one of the company who threw the tea
overboard.
Christopher Clark, one of fifty principal merchants who charged
crown officers with appropriating to their own use moneys
belonging to the Province.
GROUP OF OLD BOSTON MERCHANTS 49
William Gray, familiarly known as " Billy/' was a man of mercan
tile eminence, and the largest ship-owner in America.
John Appleton and Nathaniel Appleton, names familiar to Boston
society.
Rufus Green, an officer in Trinity Church.
J. and I). Waldo.
Mr. Hancock renewed the contract for supplying the
garrison ; shipped to London agents a cargo of oil by
the Tuton, Thomas Robson, master, and on the 25th
of October wrote to Barnard & Harrison thus : —
Since my last I am favoured with yours & Capt§ Diney, Bruce
& Marshall. The latter arrived Yesterday. Bruce got here four
days before Marshall. Your's by the Boston Packett. InclosVl
Inv° & Bill of Lading of the Goods on board him ; but was greatly
disappointed in not having all the things wrote for, particularly the
Lemons & oyl, which would come to a very good Markett I beg you
would at all times be careful to send all my Goods at the first opp'y,
as it makes a great odds in the sale. You also neglected the Eider
down Quilt £ many other things which if you do not send by Scott
will be a great disappointment to me. I am also at a Loss, to ac
count why my Hemp £ Beer & many other things should be omitted
in my own ship & others have the preference wch is certainly now
the case, £ I must insist upon it that in future none of my goods be
turned aside for any others whatever for the disappointment to me
is greater than if even I was oblig'd to pay a double freight, but
perhaps you may have reasons for this but to me it appears pretty
extraordinary. The dispatch you gave to the ships is very agreeable.
You may depend she will be immediately returned to you with a
good Cargo of Oyl
I am with perfect Esteem
Gent" Your most obedt Serv'.
It will be noticed that Mr. Hancock speaks of his
vessels by the names of the commanders. This was an
idiom of the day in common use by all merchants, and
is noticed in the literature of the time.
It is also noticeable that while great care was taken to
50 JOHAT HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
secure insurance on vessels and cargoes, it was all done
in England, which must have been an added disadvan
tage in the conduct of business.
Although the general system of insurance may be
traced back for several centuries in England, its adop
tion in this country is of a comparatively recent date.
Mr. Joseph Marion established an insurance office in
Boston as early as 1724, but he met with little encour
agement for many years. While the commercial rela
tions of the colony were confined closely to trade be
tween it and the mother country, it was evidently
thought best to obtain the needed insurance upon the
vessels making transatlantic voyages in the insurance
associations of England.
EFFORT TO COLLECT BILLS IN LONDON 51
CHAPTER VII
EFFORT TO COLLECT KILLS IN LONDON. JOHN HANCOCK
AIDS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. AN EYE FOR BUSINESS.
IN QUARANTINE. RESOLVES TO DO NO MORE BUSINESS
ON SHARES. WATCHES COMPETITORS. SMALL-POX INJURES
BUSINESS. SENDS TO LONDON FOR SHOES. HIS BOSTON
SHOEMAKER. SENDS FOR SEA-COALS, TEA, HEMP, ETC.
IN a letter of Nov. 17, 1764, to Barnard & Harrison,
Mr. Hancock writes: —
I should be very glad you would give some attention to recover
payment of the Bills long ago remitted you by my late uncle. Say
Govr.1 Shirleys Bill & many others, if you can obtain payment
thereof, or use your influence, shall take it a favour. I beg your
opinion, whether it is probable they will ever be paid. I should be
glad you would give me some advice as to the circumstances of
Admiral Knowles, as he is indebted to my late uncle ^300 steiTg.
I have given a letter to Messrs. Blanchard & Hancock (the latter
a brother of mine, who declined staying with me and chose the
hardware business). Mr. Blanchard has the character of an hon-
1 In 1755 William Shirley was made major-general, with the superin
tendence of military affairs in the Northern colonies. The loss of Oswego
was attributed to him, but he was later exonerated from blame. lie was
made governor of the Bahamas, and stayed from Boston until 1769. It
was during this absence that Mr. Hancock endeavored to collect the bill,
which was doubtful, as Governor Shirley died a poor man, March 24,
1771.
The Shirley and Hancock families were allied by business and social
relations. When Colonel George Washington came to Boston in 1756 he
was received at the family residences of these notable men ; and when
he came, in 1775, as commander-in-chief of the Continental army, he was
obliged to see the Shirley mansion used to quarter troops, while he did
what he could to protect both houses,
5-2 JO UN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
est, industrious man, & I prevail'd on him to take my brother into
partnership ; they write you for goods by my desire. I think you
are safe with them, however, I will be answerable to you for five
hundred pounds steiTg on their accounts and shall give them a bill
for that sum ; hereafter you will use your judgment as to a farther
concern with them beyond the ^500, as I shall not be answerable
for any more. Mr. Aurthur Savage1 is Passenger in Marshall, his
1 Drake says : " Arthur Savage was an officer of customs in Boston.
He is credited with having had the ball which killed General Warren at
HANCOCK AIDS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS 53
business home is to obtain a credit for goods, he is recommended
to me as an honest, industrious man, but no great capital. His
friends have prevailed on me to give him a letter to you, which I
have done, and further, if he succeeds and should apply to you for
a few goods I will be accountable to you for three hundred pounds
& if he does not pay you in time that amount 1 will see you paid,
but I do not mean by this to strengthen his credit with you, so as
to give him a further supply, neither will I advise to it, but when
you see him you will be able to judge for yourselves, and act your
pleasure.
This I do purely to serve him, and at the Earnest request of his
friends. The Brigt (Brigantine) Lydia is not yet arrived. I wish
she may soon get in as I have all her Loading ready & will dispatch
her if good weather in twenty days. I cant but approve of Capt.
Marshalls conduct in every Respect & hope he will Merit your
countenance.
I have sent you a large order for Goods. You must be carefull
that they are well chosen & best of their kinds. I must beg that
the oznabrigs now ordered may not be purchased of the same per
son, that the two last parcels, you sent us were, for such importa
tions are not to be countenanced, about a yard of it outside very
good & the remainder unfit for any use, that it is turned upon my
hands, and I can never sell it. Do be particular in your orders for
the whole of my goods.
The mem° Inclosed of Garden Seeds & Trees you will please to
send by Marshall.
I am with perfect Esteem
Gent"
Your most obed* Serv*-
On Nov. 17 Mr. Hancock notifies his London agents
that he has shipped on board Boston Packet, John Mar
shall, commander, a cargo amounting to ,£6,675 17S- °d-
lawful money, and adds : —
We were obliged to leave out two tons of fine bone. Marshall
could not take it on board, it shall come in the Brig1- This we men-
Bunker Hill, which he gave to Rev. William Montague, rector of Christ
Church."
54 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
tion the rather as you make Provision for a Markett, for it will be
the whole to come to your Markett this season.
We are with much Respect
Your most obed* Serv*-
J. H.
FOLGER £ GARDNER.
Mr. Hancock writes to Messrs. Wright & Gill, also
to Mr. William Jones, informing them of the death of
the senior member of the firm, and solicits business as
in the past.
He also introduces Messrs. Blanchard & Hancock to
these firms, also to Devonshire & Reeve.
Ebenezer Hancock was the younger brother of John
Hancock. He was employed by the firm ; but soon
after the death of his uncle left the situation, and set up
business with Mr. Blanchard. Of Ebenezer more here
after.
Mr. Arthur Savage and Mr. Arthur Jenkins were
both introduced to Barnards & Harrison as men worthy
of their confidence.
Under date of Nov. 23, 1764, Mr. Hancock addresses
his London agents. He makes complaint of neglect on
their part, and cautions them not to be remiss in that
line aorain. He further adds : —
The goods I have wrote for you will please to send £ let them
be marked I & H. I wrote you that to prevent trouble, you might
charge the cost of trunk of goods I. W. to my account, since which
I have opened the trunk & on examination find the Cambrick &
Lawn very badly charged. So high in Price & bad in Quality, that
unless you can obtain an allowance for me I must loose money, for
their Charge with the Duty I have paid here, will be more than I can
sell them for; do think of this & make me an allowance.
I observe you have sold the oyl pr. Hunter, the White & Brown
well sold, but wonder there should be such a difference in the Price
IN QUARANTINE 55
of whale oyl between your house & Mr. Lane's. Mr. Rowe l of this
Place owner of Capt. Hunter, shipd some whale oyl at same time of
Hunter, and has an account of Sales of it, at ^23. 15^. and yours
only £21. the difference is a handsome Profit, but make no doubt
you did your best.
I beg at all events you will use your utmost Endeavours that
Marshall may be here by the last of March, fill up with Hemp for me
rather than detain her with you. You will have goods enough of
your own I think to give her the quickest despatch, nothing in my
power shall be wanting to return her from hence.
I hope soon to hear from you, being with tenders of my best
Services £ Sincere Esteem,
Gent
Your most obed1 Servt.
If those whose strongest impression of John Hancock
has been that of pride, vanity, and conceit, will read his
correspondence thus far, they will, at least, credit the
neglected man with shrewdness and acumen in business
transactions, and readiness to aid others less fortunate
than himself. There is no room for doubt or uncer
tainty as to the slightest detail of each business direc
tion.
Quarantine laws were rigidly enforced, the small-pox
being the dreaded scourge of the port. In the following
letter we see the annoyance of it to this merchant : —
1 Mr. John Rowe was a prominent merchant and co-worker with John
Hancock in the patriot party. Gordon says that it was Mr. John Rowe
who was suggested as a candidate for representative to General Court,
when Samuel Adams said, looking to the Hancock mansion, "Is there
not another John that may do better?" They were both elected, and
served together on many important committees in succeeding years.
Mr. John Rowe's business extended to traffic in negro slaves, as wit-
nesseth Boston Post Boy of Dec. 19, 1763. "Just imported and to be sold
by John Rowe at his store, a few likely negro boys, and two negro men
between 20 and 30 years of age. Also New Castle Coals, Lisbon Salt,
Fyal wine, Quart bottles by the groce, Hemp, Russia and Ravens Duck,
etc."
56 JOHN HANCOCK, 111S BOOK
BOSTON, Deer. 6, 1764.
GENT* : I have at last got the Brig safe up to town, and tomorrow
will be clear, and next day begins to take in that, if the weather,
which at this Season is very precarious, should hold good, I de
termine to put her to sea at farthest by 2oth Instant, and had it not
been for the unlucky accident of the Small Pox, she would have
been on her way to you by this. I should be glad the masters
would be carefull, who they take on board as passengers, for this
misfortune of the Smallpox, on board the Brig, was wholly owing
to a Negro Servant of Mr. Williams, who had just recovered of
that disorder; this will at least create us an Expence of ^50. stg.1
You will please to order Insurance to be made on Cargo, of Brig,
Lydia, James Scott Master, as & from Boston to London viz. on
oyl, Bone & Freight, ^3400 sterlg. in thirds, with you, Folger &
Gardner & myself, at least you will insure my third & F & G.
Your own you will order as you think proper. You will also
please to insure ^800. stg. on vessel!, at least you will insure my
proportion of her at that rate. You will act your pleasure as to
your part. ... I am now determined not to hold any Concerns,
nor carry on the whole of other peoples business, with my Money.
I have long enough done that. I am sorry that the Boston Packett
is under such an incumbrance. I would willingly take J. F.'s third
even at the first cost. I am really ashamed to have so many own
ers. I wish to have her wholly between you & I, and is what I
shall attempt in the spring. You are not sensible the trouble I
have. I have paid every farthing Cash for the whole cargo of Boston
Packett, and had it all to provide as much as if J. F. had no con
nection with her, and not one Cask of oyl from him on board her,
which I think is hard fate, and what I can't submit to, for I can't no
way advance my own money and give others the advantage of it,
and this is not a sudden determination of my own but was what
my late uncle was freely bent on, even if he had sold the Boston
Packett and built another. . . .
1 When ordering negroes for domestic service, Boston merchants were
careful to get those who had recovered from the small-pox. In 1739
Peter Faneuil sent the following order to his London agent : —
" Please to buy from a sale of fish, for me, for the use of my house, as likely a
straight negro lad as possibly you can, about the age of from 12 to 15 years, and
if to be done one that has had the small-pox, who being for my service, I must
request the favor you will let him be one of as tractable disposition as you can
find."
SMALL-POX INJURES BUSINESS $?
I will write you fully by Scott, if Goods arc shipt to order. I
beg you will let me know who they are for, as it will prevent much
trouble. I would also just mention that many things shipt on board
Boston Packett to Newbury, Salem, &c. especially little things are
a loss to the Ship as that freight is seldom obtained, that the fewer
of these the better. I also wonder that Rotch £ others should have
Hemp on board the Brig Lydia, and mine omitted, but I will say
no more of this. I have opened my mind, & hope in future I shall
not be neglected for the sake of transient customers.
My best Comps attend you & I am with sincere esteem,
Gent"
Your most obed. Servt.
MESSRS. BARNARD & HARRISON.
BOSTON, Deer. 7, 1764.
GENTN : I have just now receiv'd your favour by Capt. Doggett,
and am obliged to you for your Expression of Condolence therein.
Whenever I have occasion for any supplies from your place you
may rely I shall apply to you, as the Experiences my late uncle £ I
had of your fidelity & equity in the Transaction of your Business will
induce me thereto. At present I am in want of only a few articles,
for which I now inclose you Invoice, and you will please to send
them by first Conveyance in the Spring, let them be well chosen &
best of their kind marked I. & H. & charged to my account for
which you shall have a punctual payment.
I should be glad of any occasion to render You service and when
I may be useful I beg you will freely Command.
Gent
Your most obedt. servt.
The dullness of trade ye year past, owing to the Small pox has
left me a Stock of Goods for some time.
MESSRS. DEVONSHIRE & REEVES.
The postscript with which the above concludes fur
nishes a sidelight by which we catch a glimpse of the
condition of the town during the year 1 764. Small-pox
was so prevalent that it was a time of general depres
sion. No adequate system had been adopted for controll
ing the scourge. Inoculation had not become general ;
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
in fact, Governor Bernard, in January, issued a proclama
tion forbidding it until all other means for controlling
the disease should have failed. Merchants and traders
removed their goods out of town, and set up business
elsewhere.
"Gilbert Deblois
did not stop short of
Weston,with his large
stock of hardware,
and had a commodi
ous shop and store
adjoining the house of
Mr. Josiah Smith, inn-
holder, on the Great
Road to Worcester,
at the sign of the
Half Moon, near the
meeting-house. He
had New England
rum by the hogshead,
barrel, or less quan
tity, W. I. goods, etc."
The General Court
met at Cambridge in
stead of in Boston ;
and while there the
fire occurred that de
stroyed Harvard Hall, with the library, etc. Subse
quent letters will show us that the Hancocks were
liberal in making up the loss.
On Dec. 9, 1764, with orders to his London agents
in regard to insurance to be placed on the brig Fly, he
says : —
OLD STATE-HOUSE.
HIS BOSTON" S 'HO EM 'A A'A R 59
I should be much obliged if your G. H. would be so kind as to
ask Mr. Brookbank if he has not lost my measure, to make me a
dozen pairs of very neat shoes, which you will please to send me &
pray pay the cost, which charge my acct.
Doubtless the shoes were for special occasions, as
Mr. Hancock had a shoemaker in Boston. In a letter
of Dec. 19, 1764, he writes to London agents thus : -
You have a little mem° of Leather &c. from my shoemaker, which
I would be glad you would send & charge to my account, consigned
to me, it may be charged in my Invoice only let the che'k of this
particular be mentioned in the Bill of Lading. Mark the Package
H. R.
Other orders under same date are : —
10 Tons best Petersburg Braak Hemp — in half bundles, not to
be broke if I pay more freight. Talliers on each Bundle,
strongly tied & pray Your orders to Scott that they be kept
whole & not broke on any Consideration.
100 ps best and stout Russia Duck.
If freight are Scarce You may send me twenty or thirty chal
dron of Sea Coals, if low.
6 chests of best Bohea Tea, besides what I wrote for to come in
Marshall.
20 chests of best Lisbon Lemons, to come between Decks, to be
well chosen & pack'd.
10 pt of very best Hyson Tea in Canisters for family use, pray let
it be good.
6 chests very best Florence oyl meal.
I must close as I am determined to push Scott away, shall write
you by Blake in about 15 days. I hope soon to hear from you, &
am with sincere Esteem
Gent
Your most-obed. servt-
Mr. Hancock made a specialty of " sea-coals " in his
retail trade, which may be inferred from his advertise-
6o
JOHN JIANCOCK, HIS BOOK
ment of Dec. 25, 1764. \Ye also learn that he had a
store nearer the business centre than his wharf The
location and merchandise are described as follows: —
" Store No. 4, at the east end of Faneuil Hall Market, a general
assortment of English and India Goods, also choice Newcastle
Coals, and Irish Butter, cheap for Cash. Said Hancock desires those
persons who are still indebted to the estate of the late Hon. Thomas
Hancock, Esq., deceased, to be speedy in paying their respective
balances to prevent trouble."
HANCOCK TABLE AND FURNISHINGS SEEN IN OLD
STATE HOUSE.
(Copper kettle made for Hancock by Paul Revere, having " P. R.
stamped inside the cover.)
KKVENL'K LAWS MAKE BANKRUPTS 6 1
CHAPTER VIII
REVENUE LAWS MAKE BANKRUPTS. SIR PETER WARREN.
HANCOCK TRIES TO FORM AN OIL TRUST. JOHN HAN-
COCK'S FINANCIAL STRAITS. HANCOCK'S DINNER PARTY
WITH WILLIAM ROTCH. CHOSEN ON THE BOARD OF SE
LECTMEN. DRAWS FROM THE PROVINCE TREASURY.
INVOICE OF SILKS.
THE determined opposition to the course of the gov
ernment had a ruinous effect on the business of Boston
and vicinity. Of this Mr. Hancock writes to his Lon
don agents : —
BOSTON, Jan"1)1 21, 1765.
GENTN : The great uneasiness and Losses here owing to the fail
ure of some Persons of note, say Nathl. Wheelwright Esq., John
Scollay, Joseph Scott & some others has put us all into great anx
iety, as trade lias met with a most prodigious shock & the greatest
losses to some people thro1 Mr. Wheelwright's failure ever known
in this part of the world. I am entirely clear except the Bill I sent
you of Scollay's which beg you would get paid. I would advise
you to be care full who you trust, times are very bad & precarious
here & take my word, my good Friends, the times will be worse
here, in short such is the situation of things here that we do not
know who is and who not safe. I hope it will stop but there's no
judging under the present circumstances of tilings. I am very sorry
I have wrote for any goods, at least for so many, but I must do the
best I can. I hardly know who to trust.
1 am particularly led to write you now on this subject, by an Ap
plication from a neighbor of mine, Mr. Thomas Symmes, who is
largely concerned in a Contract with Mr. Wheelwright and a French
gentleman at Bourcleaux, the particular circumstances I refer you to
Mr. Symmes' Letter it is for a cargo of Fish sold them, and the
Cash to be remitted you by the French Gen' from Bordeaux, /or
62 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Symmes acco* the vessell is upon Symmes acco", the Event of this
depends upon the Circumstances and Honour of the French Gent :
Mr. Symmes writes you on this Subject, & as I take him to be an
Honest, industrious man, I am to beg you will interest yourself in
this affair for him £ spare no pains to Endeavour to obtain Satisfac
tion agreeable to Contract. I am confident you can be serviceable
and hope you will be able to recover it for him, as he is greatly dis
tressed and is a large concern to him. I apprehend Exclusive of
this contract affair Mr. Symmes is safe, at least he has that Charac
ter, he is very active and industrious. I recommend his affairs to
you and beg you will serve him all you can. In any concerns of
yours this way you may rely on any service in my power, being with
esteem Gent.
Your most obecU Servt.
The affair of Wheelwright's failure with such aggravated Circum
stances is the greatest shock to trade that ever happened here.
John Hancock had occasion, in the settlement of his
uncle's estate, to write to Lady Warren.
BOSTON, January 5, 1765.
MADAM : You have undoubtedly before this heard of the mel
ancholy event of the death of my late Uncle Thomas Hancock Esq.
This circumstance has devolved the Settlement of his affairs upon
me and occasions my writing you on the Subject of your connections
with him. The Bond & Mortgages of the late S^- Peter Warren,
left in his hands, the multiplicity of affairs I am concerned in puts
it out of my power to undertake the Settlement of those matters.
That I am to request you wili be pleased to give orders to some
Persons to receive the Bonds &c. of me, & at same time impower the
same Gent" to settle the account with me, & give me a discharge.
I now inclose you the account as it stands on my late Uncle's Books.
Ballance due to you ,£47. 19. 4 sterlg. which I am ready to pay to
your order. I should think some Gent" of the Law here would be
most like to forward the settlement of them, Robert Auchmuty Esq.
or James Otis Esq. are noted Gent" of the Law, either of them I
believe would undertake it & think you may rely on their Integrity.
You will please to take this matter under your consideration &
let me hear from you on the subject.
I am Madam
Honbie Lady Warren Your most obed*- servt-
Cavendish Square, London.
PETE It WAltltEN 63
Sir Peter Warren, to whom the reader has been pre
viously introduced, was the naval hero of Louisburg.
He came to Boston in 1746 with General Pepperell (Sir
William). He was a friend and business correspondent
of Thomas Hancock, whose hospitality he had fully
enjoyed. At the time of his death in England there
was unsettled business in Boston, which was intrusted
to Thomas Hancock, as the letters have revealed. A
descendant of Sir Peter was General Joseph Warren,
killed at the battle of Bunker Hill.
On Feb. 7, 1765, in a letter to Barnards & Harrison,
Mr. Hancock says : —
I shall be glad you will take the trouble to overlook some late
Letters £ be explicit in your answers, as hitherto we have had
no reply & desire your Consideration thereon particularly on the
charge of a double commission on the affair of the Provisions from
Ireland, & several other matters, referr'd to your determination to
all which I Entreat you will make some reply.
I recVl the things you shipd- me by Hatch tho' some of them
much out of time, say the cheese, & oyl, which were to have come
in the Brig1 the cheese I lose money by, Having sold it for less
than the first cost & think it Extreme high charged at least much
higher than others had it in the same ship. Mr. Caleb Blanchard
had a parcell at the same time from Champion & Haley @, 33 / & you
charged mine 40 /. The difference is a good profit. I think I have
a right to Expect my Goods on as good terms as any one what
ever, & unless I can have them so, its not worth my attention. You
must not let other houses out do you, why should there be such a
difference in that Article from your two houses? Do think of it &
if its a mistake give credit for the over charge.
I am preparing all our N Engd accounts to be transmitted to
you, as also the accounts of Sewall £ Lewis, which shall be sent
by next Packett when I shall write you fully. Pray dispatch Mar
shall as quick as possible & you may rely on my best Endeavours
to return him to you. Times are very precarious here you must
make the most of your remittances as Money is Extremely Scarce &
trade very dull. If we are not reliev'd at home we must live upon
64 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
our own produce & manufactures. We are terribly burthen'd, our
Trade will decay, we are really worth a Saving. I shall soon write
you again & am with great respect
Gent.,
your most obedt. servt.,
JNO. HANCOCK.
Trusts, corners, and kindred terms may be regarded
as modern devices in trade ; but the wire-puller of to-day
had his progenitor in Provincial Boston. Mr. Rotch,
the Nantucket merchant, had a purpose when he dropped
in to chat with John Hancock ; and the object of Han
cock's extending to his brother merchant an invitation
to dine with him was that they might, under more fa
vorable circumstances, come to an agreement in order to
control the trade in oil. Witness this letter : —
BOSTON, April ^ 1765,
I duly note what you say of oyl and the Conversation you had
with Buxton, Symes & Enderby. I wish their and your determina-
HANCOCK TRII-.S TO FORM AN OIL TRUST 6$
tion as to a limitation in the price of oyl could take effect. You do
not so well know the disposition of some of their connections here
as I do, having had frequent conferences on the Same Subject, but
to no Effect. You do not consider the number of oyl Buyers here
who, not Considering the consequences, Give any price for oyl for
the sake of getting their Ships away, tho1 1 am full in the belief that
the number of ships in the London trade must soon be Lesen'd. I
should be very fond of keeping the price down, but if others will
WILLIAM ROTCH, MERCHANT PRINCE OF NANTUCKET.
give a greater price I must not have my hands tied. I must either
sell my vessels or keep them running. I shall, however, be better
able to write you more frtlly by next opportunity as I can know
more of Mr. Rotch's plans and designs and whether he is inclined
to be on amicable terms, tho' he this day called upon me, and men
tioned what his Friends wrote and. that he was disposed to Effect
their plan, and desired we might confer together on the Subject,
and I appointed a day for him to din? with me, and no one else,
when we shall talk matters over, after which I will acquaint you the
Result. The West India oyl is now coming in. I really don^t
know how to act, it will not do for me to be idle and let others (and
66 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
R — h) buy up, which you may depend will be the case notwithstand
ing all your attempts and plans, and even the promise of some here,
but I shall do my best, at the same time I imagine Rotch must
load Deverson and Calef, even if oyl be much higher than ^14, & I
much Question whether it will be so low. But if the price should
break higher I must purchase sufficient to load Marshall at least,
for it is not worth while to keep a ship to make but one voyage a
year however this you may rely. I will purchase on as good terms
as anyone, for you could never intend that I should not purchase at
any other price than your Limits, that would be giving the whole
advantage to others and Establishing their vessels in the Trade,
but I can better write the state of things after I have conferred with
Mr. Rotch.
Capt. William Doble of this place who is Connected in the New
foundland trade, and is now going thither applied to me to mention
him to your house, he has long been connected with Lane & Booth,
but has taken some disgust at their conduct, he is largely con
nected in the Fish trade, and is a man of Interest in the Land, he
writes you, to whose Letters I refer. You may depend on his En
gagements & I believe you will find him a profitable and agreeable
Correspondent on his Branch. You will please to acquaint him
with your connections in Spain & Portugal as he ships several
cargoes thither yearly.
I shall soon forward all my accounts. I have been much con
fined in the course of the winter which has prevented my closing
those accounts. Do write me particularly as often as you can the
state of things with you.
I shall soon look for Marshall, am glad you are like to return
Scott with a full freight as soon as the price of oyl Breaks. I shall
then act what I think most for the Interest of the whole.
I shall soon write you again & am with Esteem,
Your most hble servt-
Our Provincial history scarcely affords an instance
where two prominent people, more unlike in habits and
tastes, sit at meat together. William Rotch was a non-
resistant Quaker merchant of Nantucket, and extensive
ship-owner, having nothing in common with John Han
cock in the line of patriotism. The Nantucket of
1898 holds exalted traditions of William Rotch as the
JWAll'S FROM THE PROVINCE TREASURY 6/
soul of mercantile honor. Mis store, built in 1772, is
standing, owned by the Pacific Club (retired whalemen),
and is in part occupied for a custom-house and signal-
station. There hangs in the club building a picture of
the " Boston Packet " fitted as a whale-ship.
The financial condition of the Province is well set
forth in a letter from Mr. Hancock to Barnards &
Harrison.
April 1 8, 1765.
GENT : Last night only I received your favour of 7th January
by the Pacquett, and duly note the Contents observe all the Bills I
remitted you hitherto advised of are paid ; wish to hear Scollay's
Bill is paid. I am much obliged to you for honouring my Bill, as
also those from Philad* could I be so successful here as to collect
only one Quarter of my debts, I need not draw any Bills, but such
is the scarcity of that article £ the Poverty of this country, that I
cannot place any dependence on monies here, and suppose shall be
forced to draw farther Bills, for Marshall & Scott's Cargo unless I
should take my money out of the Treasury, which would be hard
fate. I shall however draw as little as I possibly can, in which case
you will please to honour such my Bills which shall be confined
as much as possible to your connections. I duly note the several
insurances You have made. I am sorry MarshaH had so long a
passage to you. The despatch given him here was great and had
not the Easterly winds with you sett in just as they did he would
have had a very quick passage, but its all for the best.
The impressions formed by Mr. Hancock at the little
dinner party could not have been very gratifying, for
he soon writes to his agents : —
I have had a long Conference with Mr. Rotch agreeable to
your desire, Respecting oyl trade. He appears to be disposed to
be upon amicable terms and to be aiding & tells me he will strictly
abide by the instructions he has received from Buxton Symes &
Enderby, how farr : Time can only discover. You are not so well
acquainted with that Gent as I am ; but ! will for once try him,
which but for your desire, I should never have even had a thought
of doing. I shall be as circumspect as possible as to the oyl. I
68 JOHN HA AT OCA', HIS BOOK
may purchase for Marshall & Scott £ give him all the despatch I
can, tho' I don't imagine he can depart hence till the latter end of
June from the present prospect. I sometime past wrote vcu that I
had used my Endeavours with Jona. Burnell and Paul Bunker of
Nantuckett both wealthy men, to enter their Connections with you,
which they then consented to do, and find by your Letter it took
effect. You may depend I shall not be wanting to do your house
all the kind offices I can, and when an opening of that kind, and
I am confident you are safe, I shall not fail recommending your
house.
I observe the Adventure is coming to me as yet have no act of
her. She must be in soon. I shall give Edwards all the dispatch
I can. I am sorry you ship'cl the Articles of Lemons and Sallad
oyl, the former the town is at present full of and the latter will not
fetch the first cost. I have not been able to sell the six chests you
shipd me in Hatch it comes so much cheaper in another channel,
that you will be well off even to get the first cost, however I will do
the best I can, and push them off immediately at the best price, as
to the Coals, it is not the season to dispose of them, that unless I
can get a tolerable price for them, it would be best to store them,
but I shall be better able to determine that matter after they are
arrived, at present no markett for them I shall however dispose of
all the other articles directly agreeable to your order, at the highest
price. Capt. Blake is no doubt with you long ago.
I am obliged to you for paying the Ransom of Davd- McCloud.
I wish to have the whole charge as soon as possible as Mr. Timothy
Fitch is to reimburse me the whole amount.
In addition to the cares of his own business, John
Hancock had the added responsibility of being one of
the Selectmen of Boston. He was chosen on that board
at the town-meeting of March, 1765. His lamented
uncle had occupied that position for many years, and
the honor was most gratefully transferred to the young
man. The town early placed the name of Thomas
Hancock with that of Peter Faneuil, for he had by his
last will made provision for an asylum for the insane.
While encomiums of praise for the noble acts of the de
ceased merchant were being sounded in the ears of his
CHOSEN ON THE HOARD OF SELECTMEN 69
nephew, who was carrying out his requests, there came
to the busy man rumors of a Stamp Act. Merchant ves
sels often brought items of news from over the ocean
long before any official announcement was made. But
people were credulous of such reports, whether welcome
or otherwise. The Stamp Act was passed on March 22,
1765, and early in April we find John Hancock writing
to Barnards & Harrison, agents in London, thus : —
1 hear the stamp act is like to take place, it is very cruel, we
were before much burthened, \ve shall not be able much longer to
support trade, and in the end Great Britain must feel the ill effects
of it. I wonder the merchants and friends to America don't make
some stir for us.
Some of the fortunes of a merchant are touched upon
in the following letter to the London agents : —
In the course of my connections in Trade here, I have been
obliged to take a new ship of about 200 Tons, she is now ready to
Launch & every thing ready to fit her away immediately — Henry
Smith — master. I propose her to South Carolina & London to
your address, when I shall either order her to be sold or proceed
to New Castle for Coals, at present am undetermin'd which, tho1
rather think the former. I shall soon write you further respecfg
her & as to Insurance.
If the Plan of the Brig with Barker and us goes on I propose to
call her the Harrison to which imagine you will not object.
I beg you will give me the earliest advice as to price of oyl,
Whale Bone, Pott ashes &c. for my government, and do write me
by all oppy. Your frequent advice as to those articles will always
be of Service.
You may rely I shall use my Endeavour after Marshall & Scotts
arrival to give them the best dispatch and on the most easy terms I
can, tho' I fear from the number of ships in the London trade & of
Consequence a number of purchasers that oyl will not be so low as
you expect. In the course of another year, I shall be at a better
certainty with respect to oyl having concerns in general whaling
vessels, with persons at Nantuckett and Martha's Vineyard, that
70 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
with Common Success I may meet a large Supply out of my own
vessels. I have now four vessels and believe another year shall
increase ye number.
I shall soon write you again, pray write me by all oppy> & for
ward me all our acotts. My best Complts- attend you £ believe me
with perfect Esteem.
Gent"-
Your most obed. & most faithful serv1-
J. H. best respects to his particular friend Mr. Harrison, begs
his excuse for not writing him by this, hopes he is well, & will write
him a long Letter.
Mr. Hancock writes a business letter to London
agents, in part as follows : —
BOSTON, May 13, 1765.
GF.XT* : I cannot enlarge having money matters to attend to just
now, shall soon write you largely. I am ashamed that I have not
wrote your J. B., with the State of Sewall & Lewis affairs, two things
have prevented, one is hurry and the other a want of receiving the
rents, I have a promise of it when I will remit it him. it requires
more attention, as it was wholly conducted by my late uncle, and
the matter is not so clear to me.
I will soon as possible send you all N. Engd matters, till time
will admit you must Excuse me. I am heartily sorry for the great
Burthen laid upon us, we are not able to bear all things, but must
submit to higher powers, these Taxes will greatly effect us, our
Trade will be ruined, and as it is, its very dull — My best respects
to you and Connections. I am very truly
Gent11- Your most faithful hble. servt-
MESSRS BARNARDS & HARRISON.
From what we have thus far seen of John Hancock's
letters, we must be convinced that a commercial busi
ness was conducted largely by correspondence. Many
, clerks were kept busy making copies of original letters,
there being no labor-saving device then in use. The
exact date of sailing of a vessel was not at all times
easily determined, and letters were prepared and depos-
BILL OF EXCHANGE
1 (34%
I AK|t
V d>.
72 JOHN HANCOCK, //AY BOOK
ited, and several were frequently sent in the same vessel
to one agent.
Under date of May 17, 1765, John Hancock writes : -
I have already wrote you by this opportunity since which I have
the pleasure to acquaint you that Capt. Edwards in the ship Ad
venture is arrived in a Passage of Five weeks from Cowe.s. No
Accou of Marshall, hope he will be in soon. 1 am sorry to tell you
that the prospect of the sale of the Adventures Cargo is very Indif
ferent. 1 will however do my utmost to obtain the best price, but
believe I must Dispose of the Lemmons oyl, Bottles & junk at pub-
lick Auction : the Coals I may get a Tolerable price for. This Ves-
sell just upon sailing cant enlarge, but that I will use my utmost
Endeavour for your Interest, & Dispatch the Ship to So. Carolina
as quick as possible. The ship must have a new Foremast as her
old one is entirely gone.
I shall soon write you again till when I am,
Your Very
Four days later, to same agents, Mr. Hancock
writes : —
The foregoing confirm copy of my last, since which I have re
ceived your favours, by the Capt. Marshall Jarvis & Davis, £ duly
note their contents. It was very unlucky that Marshall was so long
delayed but there is no help for it. Scott was entirely unloaded
before Marshall arrived. He is now Floored with tar, waiting for
Oyl on which subjct I canH say any more at present, not having any
advices from Nantct, since my last to you. I shall as soon as possible
dispatch both him and Marshall on the best Terms I can in which
I shall be very cautious.
The Brig Fly, Capt. Farrah in a Gale of wind put away for the
West Indies, and arrived at Antigua, and heard she left that place
for London on the last of Feby. that suppose she is with you. I fear
I shall be a great Loser by her. You must do the best you can for
me, acted quite right with the oyl men, you Contracted with, much
better than to enter into the Law.
Your Lemons by Edwards came in very bad order. I fear they
will not fetch the first cost, I shall dispose of them as also all the
other articles to the best advantage and Endeavor to act most for
your Interest in all respects, which has ever been my Study.
JOHN IIANCQCKS'S BUSINESS STKA1TS 73
I am much obliged for Your Trouble in sending me the man
Servant, and for the little articles for my own use, tlu man appears
to be a Sober man ; and the articles very agreeable, partic'y, my
Silk Cloths, a choice of my own could not have pleased me better,
you omitted six pair black Silk Hose which would be glad you would
send me.
The servant sent over to Mr. Hancock was doubtless
a colored man, and was particularly for his own service,
as Mrs. Thomas Hancock had a retinue of negroes willed
to her by her husband. We are obliged, however, to
conclude that the New England climate did not agree
with this servant, for we read in the Granary Burying
Ground, on a moss-covered slab : " Frank, servant of
John Hancock, Esq., lies interred here, who died 23d of
Jan., 17/1." We infer that this servant must have been
faithful to his master to have merited and received this
memorial stone, so uncommon at the graves of that class
of menials. " No. 16, Tomb of Hancock," was all that
marked the merchant's grave until a very recent date.
I am not a little surprized that you lay so much stress on my not
sending You the Bill I mentioned on Mr. Woodford, and that it
was a disappointment to you. I kept a regular calculation between
all the Bills I drew on You, and the Bills and other Remittances
sent you which at only first cost of the several cargoes here, after
you had paid all my Bills would leave with you at least 2000^ ster
ling, and if any Profits on the cargoes, a much larger Sum, that I
much wonder you should write mz for remittance. I look upon it I
am Entitled to as long credit for my Goods as any Gentleman in this
place, and am at a loss why I cannot carry on my Business on as good
footing as others. It is a Universal Rule here to draw Bills when
Cargo is shipped, even for the whole amount which was not the case
with me, for I left a considerable Sum in your hands and I look
upon it, Considering the Extent of my Business that there is no
Market in England, but would thank me for my Business and pay
all my Bills, even if a little in advance. I am not fond of any un
necessary disputes, my disposition to serve Your house is sincere &
74 JOHN HANCOCK', HIS BOOK
I think I have somewhat conducted thereto and I shall ever study
to cultivate our Friendship and promote Your Interests, but really
Gentlemen when I find I am wrote to in a manner I think I do not
deserve, and in Terms that I judge you do not write your other cor
respondents, I can't help being uneasy, for I will venture to say no
one Person makes larger or more timely remittances than I do.
This matter I referr to you, & beg to know why I can't have as much
indulgence and Credit, as others, for I look upon it that I left Suffi
cient in Your hands even to discharge the cost of the whole Goods
by Marshall.
However to avoid any reflections I now inclose You Harrison
Gray's Bill of Exche on Jasper Mauduct, Esq. dated 2ist May No.
238. in my favour, value Two Thousand Pounds sterling, When
paid You will please to Credit my acco". therefor, after which I
beg I may know the state of my acco"- and that my acco". currt
may be sent including every Charge. If you would send my ac
count oftener I could better judge & I desire my accott. may come
every six or nine months. I do not want to put any one to the
Inconvenience of advancing money for me.
I would not have you think that I am disposed to enter into any
disputes, farr otherwise, but should be glad to establish myself a
little better than I think I am at present.
I hope soon to hear from you. I shall write you again shortly
when I hope to be able to be more explicit as to oyl. I will dis
patch Marshall and Scott as soon as I can.
Whenever I may be usefull I beg you improve me. You may
rely on my best Services. My Sincere wishes attend you, & believe
me with great Truth,
Your real & Faithful Friend & Servant.
The above, like others, seems to be a continuous letter,
sent in instalments. In it we find that Mr. Hancock
has been obliged to draw on his deposit with Harrison
Gray, the Province treasurer.
While John Hancock was struggling to keep peace
with his agents in England, and safely conduct his ex
tensive business through the precarious times, the one
subject of discussion in the town was the arbitrary,
unconstitutional innovations of Parliament.
INVOICE OF SILKS
75
The town at length adopted a letter of instructions
to their representatives in General Court, in which they
spoke of the distress
of the trade of the
Province, etc.
On June 7 Mr.
Hancock writes
again to Barnards &
Harrison, tells them
of the loss of the
lemons, poor sale of
oil and bottles, and
of a more fortunate
disposal of the coals.
He concludes thus :
HARRISON GRAY, PROVINCE TREASURER.
(From Copley. Died 1794, Aged 84.)
Banished during the Revolution.
I should be glad you
would give me some ad
vice respecting the Char
acter of Parson Griffith
in whose favor You drew a Bill on me. He came over with Scott,
he has conducted badly, been detected in stealing, so that I hear
he is in Gaol. I shall soon write you again being now much hur
ried, can't add but that I am,
Your very hble Serv-t-
On the 2/th inst. Mr. Hancock writes to London
agents, saying : —
I am amazed you could send me a Trunk of such silks &
charge to my account without my order. I opened them, and they
are such colours as would not Sell here to the end of time. I can't
think you chose them, or ever saw them they are such kinds of silks
as we never dealt in, and under the present situation of things dont
intend to be concerned in, besides their cost with the additional
duty on each piece here is more than they would fetch. They are
very ill chosen, extreme bad colours, very high charged, and article
?6 JOHN HANCOCK, JUS HOOK
in no demand here. I have therefore come to a resolution to return
them to you by Marshall.
The ship Adventure, Capt. Edwards will depart for So. Carolina
in two days.
The ship Boston Packett, Capt. Marshall will, I hope, depart for
London in eight days.
The brig Lydia will soon follow Marshall. Her oyl is engaged.
RIVALRY BETWEEN HANCOCK AND ROTCH
CHAPTER IX
RIVALRY BETWEEN HANCOCK AND ROTCH. JOHN HANCOCK
AS A FINANCIAL ADVISER. TRADE WITH MADRID. COMPAS
SION FOR THE AGED. JOHN HANCOCK'S SHIP LIBERTY AND
HER FIRST COMMUNICATION TO LONDON. STAMP ACT A
CRUEL HARDSHIP. STAMPS ARRIVE. SEVERE TREATMENT
OF OLIVER AND HUTCHINSON. NEW BRIG HARRISON. JOHN
HANCOCK WILL NOT BE A SLAVE. HANCOCK MAKES A
RECORD FOR POSTERITY.
THE rivalry between Hancock and Rotch comes to
light in a letter of July 6, 1765, in which Mr. Hancock
writes to his London agents : —
GENTN : The foregoing confirm Copy of my last since which I
have none of your favours this I hope you will receive hy the Ship
Boston Packett John Marshall Commr. who has been detained here
Contrary to my Expectations, but I have done the utmost I possibly
could and considering the Situation of things have succeeded toler
ably well for the whole of Mr. Retch's Vessells say Deverson &
Calef are detained for want of oyl & they with a Vessell of K.
Quincys 3d were up for London before Marshall arrived here. . . .
I must beg you will Excuse me at this Juncture that I have
drawn on you as at first it is what I did not intend, but really Gent.
I could no way avoid it and desire you will please to honour all my
Bills, out of all my debts & many dependencies to a large amount
I can collect no money £ am reduc'd to this method of drawing to
raise Cash unless I should take money out of the Treasury which
would be hard Fate I doubt not but you will readily answer them.
I shall get Scott away as soon as possible, when I shall remit you
some Bills if not disappointed, however I am always ready to make
Satisfaction for any advances, it is an advantage to each of us in
the End, as the keeping a Stock of Cash ready Commands a prefer-
78 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
ence as to purchases, and this I cannot always Effect without occa
sionally drawing, £ almost the whole of those bills rest with you.
The custom of using the Province treasury as a bank
of deposit comes out more clearly in a letter of July 6,
1765:-
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 14 Nov. & 12
Jany. and agreeable to your desire now inclose you the State of the
Treasurer's note you left in the care of my late Uncle. I also inclose
your account as it stands on his Books, by which you will see you
have Credit for the Cash received of Mr- Wallace, and as my late
Uncle wrote you he could not get it into the Treasury, it has lain
ever since for your order. You will observe that the whole of the
note becomes due next June, after which time I don't think it can
be .continued, as the Province is in no want of Cash, and they
have offer of the loan of any sum at five pr cent. I should think
it would be most for your Interest to order it home, as I could not
advise you to put it into the hands of people here. I should judge
it too precarious. This, I submit to you, and what ever Resolutions
you may take respect'g it, you may depend on a punctual & cheer
ful compliance from me. The Prize in the New London Lottery, I
fear will never be recover'd.
You will please to let me know your determination about your
monies & your orders shall be Executed.
My best wishes attend you. I am with Tender of my best
Services
Sir,
Your most obed*- h^e Servt-
Treasurers Notes belonging to Capt. David Allen left by him in
the Care of the late Thomas Hancock Esq. which are now in the
hands of John Hancock & lay on acco" & Risq. of sd- Capt. Allen,
viz —
One Note dated 1 6*h Feby. 1763 pay* 20 June 1766 ^445
One do " 20 June 1764 " 10 " 1766 140
One do " 30 Mar 1763 " 20 " 1766 123
One do " 6 July 1763 " 20 " 1766 134
Inst. on above notes Due from the Dates. Capt. David Allen of
the Royal. Under Cover to Sr- Tho. Willson Dean Street, So Lo.
JOHN HANCOCK AS A FINANCIAL ADVISER 79
On July 21, 1765, Mr. Hancock writes to London
agents thus : -
Do send me by Marshall six pounds best Hyson Tea in Canisters
£ i Doz. bottles best Lavender Water.
Again on the same date he writes : —
Since the foregoing agreeable to a former promise I have been
obliged to draw on you of this date in favour of the Honble. Thomas
Flucker Esq.1 No. 1 1, for ^250. stg. which you will please to honour
and charge to my account.
I now inclose you Harrison Gray Esqr.2 Bill on Jasper Mauduct
Esq. of the date No! 38. in my favour for ^1500 stg.
On the following day, in a letter to some agents, Mr.
Hancock writes : —
McLoud returned here by way of West Indies. I am much
obliged to you for pay'g his ransom the whole account of which I
beg you will forward me immediately. If you will please to look
over our late Co. Letters of 19^ Uecr 1763, you will find we there
desired you to remitt sdMcQoud at Brest, Five Pounds Sterling
and to charge to our account, if I am not mistaken You wrote us
you had ordered it him, but to my great Surprize when I asked the
1 Hon. Thomas Flucker was secretary of the Province under Governor
Ilutchinson, and continued to serve under Governor Gage. He lived in
Milk Street. His daughter Lucy became the wife of General Knox. Mrs.
Knox shared with the General the privations of camp-life during the war,
wherever duty called him. She was a lovely and highly accomplished
woman, contributing greatly to the little female circle around American
headquarters. — DRAKE.
2 Harrison Gray was treasurer of the Province. He belonged to a family
celebrated as rope-makers of Boston. He adhered to the king, went away
with the Loyalists to Halifax, and later to London, where his house was
the resort of refugees. The rhymester of the time did not omit him : —
" What Puritan could ever pray
In Godlier tones than Treasurer Gray !
Or at town meetings, speechifying,
Could utter more melodious whine,
And shut his eyes and vent his moan,
Like owl afflicted in the sun ! "
SO JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Young man before his Father, whether he had receiv'd it, he told
me he had not, and that he never heard from you till Your Letter
to him respecting his ransom. I then asked him why he took pas
sage to West Indias £ he told me he had not wherewith to carry
him to London. You wrote me you had ordered him a supply for
that purpose, he says he tarried at Penzance five weeks, wrote
you three Letters but had no answer nor no Supply.
I was greatly surprized at it, & it really reflected great Careless
ness upon me. I as fully depended you had sent the ^5. as also
the supplies, at Penzance as that the ransom was paid. I am heart
ily sorry for it, & should be glad to know the truth of it. I had
rather lost more money out of my pocket than it should have so
happened as I undertook it out of Compassion to the old people &
to serve them but suppose it could not be helped.
I am in haste,
Gent Your Real Friend.
The following letter introduces the reader to a firm at
Madeira that becomes of interest as the correspondence
advances : —
BOSTON, July 23, 1765.
GENT* : The long Correspondence that Subsisted between your
house and my late Uncle (of whose sudden death you have undoubt
edly per this time heard), induces me to apply to you for my supply
of wine from your place not doubting but you will use the same
judgment in your choice of it as for my late uncle who had a high
opinion of your Fidelity.
I am now, therefore, to desire you will please to send me by the
return of this Vessell on the first good opportunity to this place two
pipes of the very best Madeira for my own Table. I don't stand at
any price, let it be good, I like a rich wine. I need say no more to
you but that they are for my own use for their cost you will please
to draw Bills on Mess. Barnards & Harrison, Merchts, in London
at Thirty days1 Sight, which will be duly honour'd mark them H. &
I should be glad you would put some private mark on the pipes ac
quainting me of the same in your Letter as there is danger of their
being chang'd among a Cargo. I wish you health and happiness
and am
Gent:
Your most obed't hble Serv't.
MESS. LAMAR, HILL & BISSETT. at Madeira.
JOHN HANCOCK'S SHIP LIBERTY 8 I
In a letter of Aug. 16, 1765, is seen the record of
naming the vessel which stands out so prominently in
the history of the opening Revolution : —
I wrote you sometime ago that I had been obliged in the course
of my business to take a new ship and that I proposed her for South
Carolina. I have since determined to load her for London, and she
is now loading fast. She is called the Liberty, Henry Smith, Mas
ter, and hope will sail in 20 days to you7~address. Just as Scott
was fitted up, the oyl got in from the River and I thought it best to
ship some early by which means am in hopes to obtain a tolerable
price therefor. You shall be interested one-half if you please, this
ship shall propose to you to be sold and if she will fetch a good
price, if not to proceed to New Castle of which more by her.
Whalebone is at 3 j £ m° at present. I am no purchaser.
As I am loading Smith, oyl ready Money. I have drawn a few
Bills on You as at bottom which you will please to honour.
In a letter of Aug. 22, 1765, to his London agents,
the undercurrent of Mr. Hancock's feelings bursts forth
in the following manner : —
I refer you to the Newspapers for an account of the proceed'gs
here by which you will see the General disatisfaction here on ac
count of the Stamp Act, which I pray may never be carried into
Execution, it is a Cruel hardship upon us £ unless we are Redressd
we must be Ruin'd, our Stamp officer has resigned. I hope the
same Spirit will prevail throughout the whole Continent, do Exert
yourselves for us and promote our Interest with the Body of Mer
chants the fatal Effects of these Grievances you will very Sensibly
feel ; our Trade must decay & indeed already is very indifferent. I
cant therefore but hope that we shall be considered, & that some
will rise up to exert themselves for us we are worth saving but un
less speedily reliev'd we shall be past remedy. Do think of us.
It is an interesting fact that on the first voyage of the
ship Liberty such a message should be taken to London.
In case you should send the Liberty to Lisbon or New Castle,
I beg you would not fail to keep her insur'd as & from the several
ports to this place, at least ^1500 Stg. on the Ship, this do note.
82 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
I have been so Excessively Busy since Scott sailed that I must
once more & for the last time on this account, ask your pardon that
I am not now more Explicit. I shall now sit myself down as fast as
I can to Compleat our accounts, & forward by Jacobson who will
sail in 14 days, you must Excuse me till then.
The following articles please to send £ mark H. S.
•jibs, deepest Prussian blue.
Slljs. best U. D. Vermillion.
s- white Copperas.
. umber.
softest Spanish white.
2Gro. sizvi Pencils.
I am with unfeigned regard
Gent.
Your most faith full £ obliged
hble serv1-
The state of excitement in Boston is indicated in a
letter from Mr. Hancock as follows : —
BOSTON, Sept. n, 1765.
GENT : I have only Time to tell you this, I have drawn on you
two Bills viz.
Ann Colvill, No. 22, £ 65
Roger Hale, Esq. " 23, 100
which von will please to honour.
I cannot write now, we are terribly confus'd here, if the Stamp
Act takes place we are a gone people, do help us all you can. if
the ship stays will write you further, have just received yours by
Davcrson, with inclosures, not time to examine.
I am in great haste,
Gent.
Your hble servant.
BARNARDS £ HARRISON.
News was received in Boston in July that a quantity
of stamped paper had been shipped for America, and
early in August a list was published of those who had
been appointed to distribute stamps in the colonies.
STAAf/'S AKK1VF.
FACSIMILE OF STAMP.
The name of Andrew Oliver for Massachusetts was
among them.
As the arrival of the famous
stamps was an event of great
moment in the Province, so the
letter which records the fact
cannot fail of enlisting the at
tention of readers : —
BOSTON, Sept. 30, 1765.
GENTN : Since my last I have re-
ceiv'd your favour by Capt. Hulme
who is arrived here with the most dis
agreeable Commodity (say Stamps)
that were ever imported into this Country & what it carry'd into
Execution will entirely Stagnate Trade here, for it is universally
determined here never to submit to it and the principal merchts here
will by no means carry on Business under a Stamp, we are in the
utmost Confusion here and shall be more so after the first of No
vember & nothing, but the repeal of the act will righten, the Conse
quence of its taking place here will be bad, & attended with many
troubles, & I believe may say more fatal to you than us. for God's
Sake use your Interest to relieve us. I dread the Event.
I have now a call to sett out immediately to the Southward where
I shall be some time gone on my return will do the needfull.
I have now only time to inclose you B Gerrish"s Bill on Channy
Townsend in my favour for ^339. 14. 5 stlg. when paid Credit my
amount therefor I have not yet had time to Examine the acct. in-
closVl. My best wishes attend you & I am in hast.
Your Real Friend.
MESS. BARNARDS & HARRISON.
With this spirit, which is breathed forth in every
letter penned to his agents abroad, we find this young
man in the town-meeting of Sept. 12, when there is
considered in Faneuil Hall the article, " To confer upon
such measures as shall appear necessary to be taken in
consequence of the Stamp Act and other matters of
84 JOHN HANCOCK, ins BOOK
Grievance, and to determine whether Instructions shall
be given to the Representatives of the Town in General
Assembly for their Conduct at this very alarming Cricis."
It was voted that instructions be given, and John Han
cock, as a selectman, was one of the committee for that
purpose ; this work was faithfully done, and our young
friend was full of the spirit of the lengthy document.
They also chose a committee to draw up an:l transmit a
vote of thanks to those members of Parliament who had
labored in opposition to the Stamp Act.
At a town-meeting on the 2/th inst., to choose a rep
resentative to the General Court, in place of Oxenbridge
Thatcher, a prominent lawyer, deceased, John Hancock
received several votes ; but his friend Samuel Adams
was elected. It was at this court, in session in June,
that steps were taken which resulted in the Continen
tal Congress. There was great unrest throughout this
and the other Provinces. On the i/jth of August there
had been a decided outbreak in Boston. The stamp-
officer, Oliver, was hanged in effigy, A company of
patriots assembled, burned the effigy, and destroyed a
building in Kilby Street, supposed to be intended for
a stamp-office. They then proceeded to vent their ill-
directed patriotism by destroying the property of Hon.
Andrew Oliver. This was followed on another occa
sion by attacking the house of Lieutenant-Governor
Hutchinson, who was also chief justice. In the mean
time, the governor, Francis Bernard, and the council,
on Aug. 14, offered a reward for the conviction of the
offenders. The town, in open meeting, put itself on
record as entirely against any such demonstrations.
John Hancock was aware, officially and otherwise, of all
this trouble ; and he retired to the seclusion of his office,
REPRODUCTION OF HAA'COCK'S LETTER 85
and wrote to his agents, Barnards & Harrison. The
letter was dated Oct. 14, 1765, and, after dwelling at
some length upon their running accounts, continued by
saying : —
REPRODUCTION OF LATTER PART OF THIS LETTER.
»*£z*»«*lfi»l
*, u/vt^^^ ^
nxi <mu
86 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS POOK
isin^rnijlon .f.<ie/r ha f 6v>?uL/.
t/n, onu
,
V c/
The new Brigt I set up in thirds with you Barker & Burnell &
myself, which I have called the Harrison, I have at length Dis-
patch'd. She sail'd for Nantuckett nth Ins* compleatly fitted for
the sea, and as pretty a Vessell & as well Executed as I ever saw a
Vessell & I think tolerable Dispatch. I have Recommended to Bar
ker & Burnell to give her the greatest Dispatch in Load'g & as
soon as I hear from them Respecting the Cost of the Cargo I shall
write you for Insurance.
This Vessell I suppose you will Load back to me in the Spring
if possible, wch tho1 I question & this Leads me to the most mate
rial Subject I have Touch'cl upon to you, I need not Tell you I
mean the Stamp act, The Ruin of this people must be the Conse
quence of this act's Taking place. Our Trade here will entirely
Stagnate, for it is the united Resolution & Determination of the
people here not to Carry on Business under a Stamp, we shall be in
the utmost Confusion, here after the 1st Novr & nothing but the
Repeal of the act can retrieve our Trade again, Persons who have
Vessells here may now Clear them out before the ist Novr but those
that may arrive after, must lay up till the Resolutions of Parliam't be
known, if not Repeal'd you may bid Adieu to Remittances for the
past Goods, and Trade in future, your Debts cannot be Recovered
here for we shall have no Courts of Justice after the ist Novr & I
now Tell you, & you will find it come to pass that the people of
this Country will never Suffer themselves to be made slaves of by a
Submission to that D - d act But I shall now open to you my own
Determinations.
JOHN HANCOCK' ll'/LL NOT BE. A SLAl'E 8/
If Marshal & Scott or cither of them (wd» is not very probable),
should arrive here before the ist of Novr I can clear them out Loaded
or not Loaded, & \vcl» I will do, but if they arrive here after that
date, I shall unload them, & Haul them up so we shall have no
Stamp masr. nor Stamps Suffered to be Distributed wd» I pray God
may ever be the case my & every Vessell is liable to be Seiz'd, be
sides it is my invariable opinion that this Act is unconstitutional &
cruel the Expense of which we are not able to Support ; that I have
come to a Serious Resolution not to send one Ship more to Sea nor
to have any kind of Connection in Business under a Stamp ; that
you must not have even the Least Expectation of seeing Marshall
or Scott Return to you this Fall. I have oylc now by me, & the
Cash p'd for it sufficient to Load Marshall but I will sooner close the
whole than Submit to Take a Stamp — nay, I would sooner subject
myself to the hardest Labour for a maintenance, than carry on the
Business I now do under so great a Burthen, £ I am Determin'd as
soon as I know that they are Resolv'd to insist on this act to Sell
my Stock in Trade £ Shut up my Warehouse Doors Thus much I
told our Govr the other day, & is what I am absolutely Determin'd
to abide by, without some very cxtraordr intervention, indeed, wcl>
is not likely — I am very sorry for this occasion of writing so boldly,
& of being obliged to come to such Resolutions, but the Safety of
myself & the Country I have the honor to be a Native of require
some Resolutions, I am free & Determin'd to be so I will not will
ingly & quietly Subject myself to Slavery.
We are a people worth a saveing £ our trade so much to your ad
vantage worth keeping that it merits the notice of those on yr side
who have the Conduct of it but to find nothing urg'd by the merchts
on your side in our favour Really is extraordinary, what I have men
tioned seems at present to be the opinion of all here, £ indeed must
unavoidably be the Case if they don't submit to this Cruel act,
w^1 I now tell you the whole Continent is so Rous'd that they will
never suffer any one to Distribute the Stamps — a Thousand Guineas,
nay a much Larger sum, would be no Temptation to me to be the
first that should apply for a Stamp, for such is the aversion of the
people to the Stamps, that I should be sure to Lose my property if
not my Life, that Trade must of Course Stagnate, & indeed all
kinds of Business and Navigation must cease, unless some Expedi
ent be thought on wd» I Can't See can Take place so as to Remove
the Difficulty, Thus much I thought to mention to you to let you
see some of the ill Consequences of this act, and they are What will
88 JOHN HANCOCK, JUS BOOK
greatly affect Great Britian in the End, and Trade once lost is not
easily Retrieved, you will not mention my name particularly in those
matters, I write thus much & pray you will use your Influence for us
to Extricate us out of our present State — I should now have Sent
my Demand for a Spring Supply of Goods to Come in the Brigt
Harrison, but upon mature Deliberation I am Resolv'd at least for
the present, not to send another Inv° to London, or Carry on any
Business in that way, as under this additional Burthen of the Stamp
Act I cannot carry it on to any profit and we were before CrampYl
in our Trade & sufficiently Buithen'd, that any farther Taxes must
Ruin us. . . .
I shall shortly Expect Marshall here, I could wish he might ar
rive before the ist Nov when I can clear him out, but otherwise
he must lay by, I will Sell you my proportion of Ship & Brig1 &
others if you can get any one may Conduct them, for I \vill not be
made a slave of without my own Consent.
I shall soon write you again & it must be soon, with what papers
I can get Ready for after the ist Nov I suppose I shall not be able
to iret a Letter to vou, as we shall have no Vessell Sail for London
O *
after that Time.
I am in great Haste, with Respect
Your Sincere Friend but an enemy to the Stamps.
PS
This Letter I propose to remain in my Letter Book as a Stand
ing monument to posterity & my children in particular, that I by
no means consented to a Submission to this Cruel Act, & that my
best Representations were not wantg. in the matter.
Mr. Drake, in " History of Boston," says of John
Hancock, " He was early secured to the patriot side ;
and, once having taken that elevated and enviable stand,
he ever maintained it without wavering."
The tone of the foregoing letters would lead to the
conclusion that John Hancock was never wavering in
his convictions of dutyr, regardless of his great wealth
which was at stake.
PEOPLE REFUSE TO USE STAMPS 89
CHAPTER X
PEOPLE REFUSE TO USE STAMPS. LARGE TAX PAID BY THE
HANCOCK FIRM. EVIL FOREBODINGS OF NOVEMBER FIRST.
SLAVES IN THE COLONIES. BOSTON INSTRUCTS REPRESEN
TATIVES IN GENERAL COURT. JOHN HANCOCK APPEALS
TO HEAVEN. SENDS TO LONDON FOR BOOKS A GIFT FOR
HARVARD COLLEGE. JOHN HANCOCK IN DESPONDENCY.
SHIPS GOODS WITHOUT STAMPS. GOODS ORDERED ON CON
DITION OF THE REPEAL OF THE STAMP ACT. NO TELE
PHONE. RIDES TO LEXINGTON.
THE stamps came ; but as there was no one having
commission to receive them, they were landed, by order
of the Governor, at the Castle. The General Court
took no action for distributing the stamps, and it was
generally understood that the Act should be defeated
by refusing to use stamped paper, etc. Merchants and
traders agreed to recall all unconditional English orders
except for sea-coal, and a few other bulky articles, and
to order none only on condition of the repeal of the
Stamp Act.
We must suppose that John Hancock was in this
movement. Let us see what he writes on Oct. 21 to
his agents, Barnards & Harrison : —
I hope Scott & Smith are safe with you. I know not what you
will do with them. I refer them to you and hope you will be able
to find some Employ for them or they must be sold. I have wrote
you my mind fully respecting our Situation and what will be the
consequence of the Stamp Acts taking place, in short, Gentlemen,
we are now groaning under Load of Debts the consequence of our
QO JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
great exertions in the Late warr, a Debt I know not when we shall
discharge, and to comfort us we must have the heavy Burthen of a
Stamp Act to grapple with ; we are amazingly tax'd here. 1 be
lieve I may Venture to say that not a man in England in proportion
to estate pays the Tax that I do. What would a Merchant in
London think of paying ^400 Stlg aim. which my late uncle paid to
this Province £ county; his Taxes from the year 1757 to 1763
amotd. to ^2600 Stg., and I now pay yearly to this Province &
county near ^300 Sterlg., besides all duties, Imposts, Ministers £
many other which are additional Taxes., and pray do you think we
ought to be further Taxed or that we are able to Support the Griev
ous Burthen of the Stamp Act. No, Gentlemen, there is not cash
enough here to support it, and pray where are we when our Cash is
gone or indeed where will you obtain your remittances, certainly if
our Interest will not arouse the people on your Side, your own I trust
will, and once stop our Trade, you must fail of your remittances.
Next week the first of November comes, the consequences of
which will be an entire stagnation of trade. Navigation must
cease, and I hope eternally will, rather than submit to so cruel,
Grievous and inhuman act. I speak for myself. I never will carry
on Business under such great disadvantages & Burthen. I will not
be a slave. I have a Right to the Libcrtys & Privileges of the
English Constitution, & I as an Englishman will enjoy them. We
shall be in a most shocking situation after the ist of November, &
our state entire confusion, and nothing will reinstate us but the
repeal of this act.
You cannot expect any orders for the goods in the spring, at
least not many; for my part I shudder for the consequences. I
cannot, however, but have SOITVJ hopes that the Parliament will re
lieve us &give us a free trade which will enable us to pay our Debts
to Great Britian, where in short all our money centres. But with
out Trade we nor no Community can submit. Do exert yourselves
for us. It is your own Interest as much as ours. I hope Marshall
will arrive before the ist of November, otherwise he cannot return
to you. I have the Oyl by me. I will sooner suffer the loss of it
than be a slave.
I shall write you fully by the going ship. Coffin in the schooner
is not arriv'd. by him Expect to hear from you.
I am in much haste, can't now add but that I am w'l> perfect Es
teem Gen1- Your faithful hble Serv*-
BARNARDS & HARRISON.
SLAVES 7Ar THE COLONIES 9 1
The term "slave" so freely used by Mr. Hancock,
was a common expression of the time. In the town's
instructions to their Representatives in General Court,
we read, " If taxes are laid upon us in any shape, with
out our having a legal representation where they are
made, are we not reduced from the character of free
subjects to the miserable state of tributary slaves?"
Negro slavery was a custom which prevailed at this
time very generally among the more wealthy families of
the colony, especially in Boston. Several attempts were
made to put a stop to it, but to no avail. A Tory wri
ter of the time said there were two thousand slaves in
Boston.
The condition of these negro menials may have oc
casioned the expression to which reference is made.
In the instructions to their Representatives the town
further proposed that, "As the Province still lies under
a very grievous burthen of debt, occasioned by the war
with France, frugality should be strongly recommended
as one means of lessening the public debt, and that the
necessity of continuing garrisons on the eastern frontier
should be inquired into."
As we have seen, Mr. Hancock was furnishing the
supplies for these garrisons, but personal benefit was
set aside for the promotion of the public good.
On Oct. 28, 1765, Mr. Hancock writes to his London
agents, saying : —
I could wish Marshall might he here before the Ist Nov- tlio" I
a little doubt it, If he should be so lucky I believe I could succeed
in Clearing him out before he was Loaded. I have a sufficiency of
Oyle to Dispatch him, but I am Confident after the Is' Nov. there
must be an Entire Stagnation of Navigation &c. which will throw
us into amazing Confusion, & will Continue unless this cruel Act
be Repealed wd> if not Effected, we are a Ruined people, all our
92 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Cash must go to answer the Expenses of the Act, wch in two or
three Years will fall of itself, as there will be no money left to De
fray the Expenses of its further Continuance. But with Respect to
myself, I will be the last man that will submit to Take one, 1 how
ever hope things will not be carried to such an ill judg'd extremity
as to Enforce the Act, as the fatal Consequences of it will be as
much felt in the End, by Great Britain, as by us; you can never
expect to Receive your Remittances from hence, & you may depend
we shall be obliged to Live without your Manufactures wch strictly
speaking we can do without. You must exert yourselves for us &
I hope soon to hear that the Parliament will Listen to our Decent
Remonstrances, £ not only Repeal this Act but Redress many other
Grievances we Labour under wch we are not able to support.
Pray send us good Tidings, we are £ shall be a very Distressed
people, but Beg we may be Reliev'cl.
I am Gent"
Your Faithfull Friend.
MESSRS. BARNARDS £ HARRISON.
It is a relief to the reader, as it must have been to
John Hancock, to find another subject besides that of
the Stamp Act occupying his mind. It appears in a
letter dated Oct. 28, i 765, to Thomas Longman : —
It is some time since I heard from you with the Magazines &c. wch
Beg in future you will please to be Regular in sending. I cannot
tell the state of my acco" with you. I desire you will please to call
on Mess. Barnards & Harrison & Receive of them whatever Ballance
may be due to you. Give them your Rect. & send me your accolt
Ballanced.
I now inclose you a large Inv1 of Books, which I desire you will
please to send me, packed in the best manner and marked I. H. I
must Recommend to you to be very careful 1 in the collect of these
Books, that they be the best Editions & well Bound, & that you be
particular in sending every Book mentioned in the Inclosed Inv°. if
to be had at any price. I must also further Recommend to you that
each £ every book be neatly Lettered & as there are several Pam
phlets, wrote for in this Inv°> I desire instead of their Coming in
pamphlets, w^ are apt to be soon Defaced by use, that you will be
mindful to Bind as many together as will make a neat volume & let
7V LONDON FOR BOOK'S 93
them be all sent in that way. Lettering on the Back, that they may
be known. Upon the whole, I Recommend to you that the whole
of these Books be very neat, well chosen, £ Charged at the Lowest
prices, as the whole of these Books are a present from me to our
College Library in Cambridge.
These Books, I shall hope you will be able to send me in the
Spring. When ever they are ready to ship, I desire you will apply
to Mess. Barnards & Harrison, who will give you Directions to Ship
them, in a Vessel of mine. . . . These Books you will pack in
Trunks & consign them to me. Send me Inv° of Cost, £ write me
the Terms of Credit & you may Rely I shall make you a punctual
Remittance, therefore, if it does not suit you to put up these Books,
you will please to Give this letter & Inv> to Barnards & Harrison
who will send them to me.
I shall be glad of all opportunities to render you or your Friends
any services here, & am with Compliments to you & Mrs. Long
man, Sir
Your most obed. Hum We Serv-t-
You will acknowledge the Rcc*- of this & pray use your Endeav
ours that the Books may be sent in the Spring.
By a vote of the President and Fellows of Harvard
College, taken on July 15, 1767, Commencement Day,
we find that this plan was carried out. John Hancock
fulfilled a promise of his deceased uncle by giving books
to the amount of ,£500 sterling, and also gave a large
collection in his own name. The college also received
the sum of ,£1000 sterling by the will of Thomas Han
cock to endow a professorship of the Oriental languages.
The Hancock collection, consisting of 1,098 volumes, is
the outcome of the above-quoted letter.
In this country, where business firms are frequently
changing, it is of interest to note the continuous exis
tence of the Longman House in Paternoster Row, Lon
don. It was established by Thomas Longman in 1724,
and consequently had been in existence about forty
years when John Hancock ordered the books for Har-
94 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
vard College ; and has continued until the present time,
the firm name being at present Longmans, Green, & Co.,
their London address being the same as it was one
hundred and seventy-two years ago — Paternoster Row.
The sign of the ship has been in continuous use as a
trade-mark of the firm since it served as a sign under
which the first Thomas Longman did business, and
furnished books to the dealers in Provincial Boston.
(Appendix I.)
The second letter to this firm is under date of Nov.
1 6, 1768. In this Mr. Hancock informs Thomas Long
man that George Haley, his London agent, will settle
his account with interest, "which is just, as the bill has
been due for an unreasonably long time."
With the many cares of private and public nature
engrossing John Hancock, he finds time to attend to
business for Thomas Longman. It appears in the fol
lowing letter : —
BOSTON, May i8th, 1770.
SIR : Your favours of Dec. 2d 1769, & Jany 3tl 1770 are now be
fore me, £ duly note the Contents. In Consequence of the Rec'-
of the former, as Mr. Mein was absent, I immediately attached
everything I could find of his Effects for the benefit of you £ Wright
£ Gill £ the matter is now in the Law. The Effects are in the
Hands of the Sheriff, and as soon as it has gone thro1 the Law, £
the Effects turn'd into money, the neat proceeds shall be remitted
you, and you will determine the settlement between you and Messrs.
Wright & Gill. Tho1 I fear even the Whole of his Effects will fall
vastly short of the Debts, but I have got all & could have no more.
You will please, as I am now greatly hurried, to present my re
spects to Mess Wright £ Gill & acquaint them. I will render
them every service in my power & will write them by next opportu
nity. Cannot You get further Security of Mr. Mein in London.
You may rely I will do all in my power for your Interest in this or
any other matter.
I am with Great Respect Sir,
MR- THOMAS LONGMAN. Your most obed* Servt-
MR. JOHN- ME IN. 95
Mr. John Mcin, above mentioned, was an extensive
bookseller of the time in Boston. His place was known
as the London Bookstore, and he claimed to carry a
stock of ten thousand volumes. He is credited with
having established the first circulating-library in the
town. Drake says his shop was on the north corner of
what is now Franklin and Washington Streets, where,
in addition to books, he sold Irish linens, etc. John Mein
was connected with the publication of the Boston CJironi-
clc, the first semi-weekly in New Kn gland. This was an
organ of the Loyalists, soon became unpopular, and was
suspended in 1770. Mein was not in sympathy with
the patriots, and so conducted himself as to become
very obnoxious. The rhymester of the time, aroused
by the acts of this bookseller, wrote the following : —
Mean is the man, M n is his name,
Enough he's spread his hellish fame ;
Infernal Furies hurl his soul
Nine million times from Pole to Pole.
We may infer that John Hancock did not hesitate to
act for his London friends in applying the law to this
Tory. On Nov. 19, 1770, Mr. Hancock wrote to Thomas
Longman thus : —
I received Your Letter, respecting Your action with Mr. John
Mein, and am now to inform you that by a law of the Province,
when an Action is brought against a man who is out of the Province,
the Action must be continued in the inferior court six months. This
•was the reason why the action against Mr. Mein was continued at
first & when the six months were expired, Mr. Kent, the lawyer,
appeared for Mr. Mein at the request of Mr. Fleming1 who had a
power of attorney from Mein, & moved in Court that these actions
might be continued three months longer, because he said Mr. Mein
had since been arrested in London for the same debt & was a pris-
1 John Flemming, connected with John Moin in publishing. — DRAKE.
96 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
oner in the King's Bench for them. . . . Mr. Mein had no real
estate here, my attachments were on the Shop, Books & the ma
terials in the printing office which are small. What the amount of
these attachments will be it is impossible to determine, until they
are sold, which can not be until the Law has had its course. Books
are very dull sale here.
On Dec. 3, 1770, Mr. Hancock sends to Mr. Thomas
Longman for more books for himself, and in April, 1771,
writes the following : —
SIR: Your favr by Capt. Scott, I duly Rec'd with the Box of
Books in good order, as also my accotl> which I shall soon order
you payment of. I note what you say Respecting Mr. Mein. His
conduct towards you is insufferable, & I am inform'd, he with his
associates have taken great Liberties with me, but I Despise them,
being confident that their case and false representations can do me
no Injury. I wish I could see a copy of Mein's affidavit and hope
you will be able to obtain it. I think you have acted very right
towards Mein. You have an undoubted claim to Security & you
will find on the settlement of the matter here, it will fall vastly short
of their Expectation & manifest their suggestion to be utterly
groundless.
Nothing has occurred in Mein's affairs since my last to you on
that subject. I am in hopes soon to Receive your answer thereto
with the necessary Inclosures, as soon as I am possess'd of them
you may Rely I will prosecute the affair to the end.
I am with Tender's of Service £ Respects, to you & Mrs. Long
man, Sir
Your very humble Serv*.
MR. THOMAS LONGMAN.
Mr. Hancock reports progress from time to time, and
on Jan. 31, 1772, writes : —
I am now to Acquaint you that I have Recover'd final Judg
ment in your & Mess. Wright & Gill case, against Mein & Execu
tion is levied upon the Books &c. & the Appraisers will finish the
appraisement this Day, after which I will take the most prudent
steps to convert the whole into money & as soon as Realized shall
be remitted to you. I am confident the whole of Mr. Mein\s Effects
will fall vastly short of your Demands & this I mentioned to you
7Y//s HANCOCK BOOKS
97
long ago & Evinces the propriety of your Conduct in arresting him
in England. The Gent" appraisers
are Mr. Edwards, Mr. Knox, £ Mr.
Langdon, all whom I believe you
know, have been very faithfull. I
shall advise you as I go on & send
you the Catalogue of the Books &
everything relative to this matter.
CON COR DA
SACRORUM lillUJOKUM
BOOK TITLE.
The Hancock letters to Long
man furnish us with evidence
of more ways in which the po
litical state of affairs had its
demoralizing effect. Mein, as
a poor debtor, perhaps made so
by his stand on public matters,
fled to London, where he vent
ed his wrath against Hancock and the leading patriots.
He was but one among the
many sufferers who left the
country, although with- less
means of support than many
of the Loyalists possessed.
The Hancock books are
found in the different depart
ments of the college library
at Cambridge. In those which
constitute the last gift may
be read —
THE GIFT OF THE
HON. JOHN HANCOCK
BOOK PLATE OF BOSTON,
RECORDED JAN. 31, 1774.
On Nov. 4, 1765, Mr. Hancock writes to Devonshire
& Reeves : —
98 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
GEXTN : I wrote you some time ago for a few articles wch no
doubt you will send. Those Articles I fear, will be the last I shall
import as our Grievances are so heavy & I may say cruel, that Trade
here must Stagnate. I flatter myself, considering the Amazing
Taxes we pay here for the support of Governmt, that the Parliam*
of Great Britian would have been rather induced to have relieved
us, than to have added to our Burthens. I think I may Venture to
say that not a man in England, in proportion to estate pays so great
a Tax as I do & people in general here pay heavier Taxes in pro
portion than the people of England. We can very ill support so
cruel an act as the Stamp Act. in short there is not a sufficiency
of money among us to support it three years, & what will become
of us when our Trade and money is gone? It is such an act as I
hope in God will never be executed here ; for my own part, upon
Serious and mature consideration, I am invariably Determined not
to carry on business under a stamp, nor ever subject myself to be
a slave without my own Consent. It seems to be the United Reso
lutions of the whole Continent not to submit to this cruel Act. The
consequence of its taking place must be the Ruin of us. £ I think
we are a people worth saving & our Trade so advantageous to those
who Conduct it on your side worth keeping, I however hope the
Parliament from the Remonstrances they may Receive will Relieve
us & I hope soon to hear a Repeal of the act. if not we are a gone
people. Our Trade must cease & Great Britian will finally f6el the
Bad effects. We shall not be able to take of your Manufactures &
we can do without them for my part under such Burthens. I will
never Import a single manufacture of Great Britain nor carry on
my Business under a Stamp to enrich I know not who. I beg you
with the other merchts would use your Influence to extricate us &
I doubt not on such Representation we shall be Relieved. ... If
at any time I may render you or your friends any service here, I
beg you freely to Command me.
I am with sincere esteem
Gent"- Your faithful £ obed. servt.
The foregoing letter was written while there was fresh
in the mind of John Hancock the great demonstration of
Nov. i, when more effigies were hanged, and when bells
were tolled, while vessels in the harbor displayed their
colors at half-mast. Hancock, with other merchants who
HANCOCK SHIPS GOODS WITHOUT STAMPS 99
were getting vessels ready for sea, took out their papers
before Nov. i, regardless of the date of use, thereby
avoiding stamped clearances. On Nov. 8, Governor
Bernard prorogued the General Court to Jan. I 5. But
a bill for the relief of the people was in the hands of a
committee when the court rose. The following explains
how a vessel went to sea from Hancock wharf : —
BOSTON, Dec. 21, 1765.
GENTS : This I hope you will receive by the ship Boston Packet,
John Marshall, conimar., which is now fully loaded with oyl, &
have cleared him out at the Custom house, the officers certifying
that no Stamps are to be had, which is actually the case, & you may
rely the people on the Continent will never consent to the Grievous
imposition of the Stamp Act. Our Custom house is now open as
usual & clearance taken without stamps. That I apprehend there
will be no risque on your side, here. I am under no apprehensions.
Should there be any Difficulty in London as to Marshalls clearance,
You will please to represent the circumstances that no stamps could
be obtained and we cannot obtain a more Regular Clearance. In
which case I think I am to be justified, & am not liable to a seizure,
or even run any risque at all, as I have taken the Step of the Law,
& made application for clearance, & can get no other. I refer the
matter to you. if any Difficulty You will please to make proper
Representations, & I have no doubt we shall be justified. The Cus
tom houses to the Southward are open & vessells clear as usual,
the officers certifying that no stamps are to be had. I was a little
disappointed that you make no mention however matters were taken
on your side, & what was yours & the general opinion as to the
Stamp Act, whether it would be repealed, pray exert yourself for
us, & give us the good tidings, should the repeal of the act take
place. It will afford more joy to America than any Circumstance
that has or can happen. God grant us the clesir'd event, or we
are a gone people. . . .
I heartily wish you all happiness, £ for the good of the whole
I as heartily wish to hear the Repeal of the Stamp act.
I am For Self, Folger & Starbuck
Gent. Your faithful Friend & obed.
Servant.
100 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
The above letter was written soon after the public
demonstration of Dec. 17, when Andrew Oliver was
made to appear under the Liberty-tree, at the corner of
Essex and Washington Streets, and take his oath that
" he had never taken any measures to act in the office
of stamp-master, and that he would never do so, directly
or indirectly." In the company of officials who wit
nessed the act was John Hancock.
This episode at the Liberty-tree was but one of many
experiences that occurred to hinder the young merchant
in preparing letters before the sailing of the Boston
Packet. A warrant had just been posted at the Town
House, calling a town-meeting ; and the selectmen
dropped in after business hours to the Hancock counting-
house to discuss the all-absorbing topic, embodied in an
article of the warrant. It was late in the afternoon of
that December day ; and as they drew around the open
fire, who should enter but Samuel Adams. The com
pany drew back ; and the circle was enlarged to admit
another chair, placed by the servant, to which the new
comer was conducted. It needed but the light of the
candle to reveal to all that the last caller had serious
purposes in mind, for his lips were never more firmly
set than at this moment. The young merchant did not
fail to extend a cordial greeting to Mr. Adams, although
he had been the successful candidate over him in the
recent election of representatives to the General Court.
The excitement of the hour was not so great as to
cause the merchants to forget the ordinary courtesies
of society ; and they all took a pinch from Hancock's
gold souvenir box, and snuffed to the contempt of
George III.
" If we pass that memorial to-morrow," said Mr.
THE MEMORIAL ,° V > ^ 1O IJ -
Adams, " we must choose a committee of our best legal
men to present and enforce it. It is useless to petition
the Governor and Council unless we have some emphasis
behind it."
This met with a ready approval on the part of each
of the selectmen and other gentlemen present. The
memorial, roughly drawn, was already in the side pocket
of Mr. Adams's snuff -brown seedy waistcoat. It was
freely discussed before the company left the merchant
to conclude his half-written letters.
No private business deterred Mr. Hancock from a
prompt appearance at Faneuil Hall the next morning.
The memorial was passed after a hot discussion on the
floor of that famous building. It set forth that the
Courts of Law had been shut up, for which "no just
and legal reason could be assigned." The petitioners
" humbly " requested " that his Excellency in Council,
with whom the executive power was constitutionally
lodged, would give direction to the several courts and
their officers, so that under no pretence whatever they
might any longer be deprived of that invaluable bless
ing." They also requested to be heard " by their coun
cil, learned in the Law." As might have been expected,
Samuel Adams was placed at the head of the committee
to prepare the memorial. Others were John Rowe,
Thomas dishing, John Hancock, John Ruddock, Sam
uel Sewall, Joshua Henshaw, and Benjamin Kent. The
proposition of Samuel Adams to have counsel was read
ily adopted ; and Jeremiah Gridley and James Otis, with
John Adams, constituted the legal force. There were
not wanting those who, with a spirit of satisfaction,
shook their heads and said, " You brought these things
on yourselves, and now you complain of them." During
; JOHN HANCOCK, HJS BOOK
the two days of adjournment, John Hancock applied
himself to his letters.
To London : —
I am now to acquaint you that I am one-half owner of the Brig
Industry, with Paul Bunker, gone to your address, Hezekiah Bun
ker master, and you will please to credit my account with you for
one-half the freight she may make, as also credit my account for
one-half the produce of Tar, Pitch, Oyl, and Staves, &c, shipped
by Paul Bunker on board sd. brig. Since the foregoing was wrote,
1 have the pleasure to acquaint you that the brig Lydia, Captain
Scott, arrived here the i$th instant, the only vessel from London
since Marshall. No account of Bruce, Davis, Jenkins, Daverson
nor Jarvis, who sailed before Scott. Our brig Lydia is certainly a
fine sailing vessel & very Lucky. By the Lydia I am favored with
yours of 23d of October, inclosing Bill of Lading & Invoice for my
goods on board him. I am extremely sorry you did not ship my
Lemons on Marshall, as I should then have got 60 stg. & Box
whereas, now you have sent them in Scott, they will not fetch me
2 per cent. I wish you would be so good as always to ship me the
whole of my orders as I have always a reason for my conduct and
order which is only known to myself.
I note that my Ship Liberty was safe arrived with you, & am
glad her cargo was like to meet so good a sale. I wish you may
be able to get a freight for the Liberty to some port or other, &
I should be glad for this place, tho1 I see no great prospect. I
wish I had ordered Fifty Tons of Hemp in her but I doubt not you
will do your utmost for my Interest.
I have heretofore wrote you so largely & expressed my Senti
ments so freely on the Subject of the Stamp Act that I think I need
not add more to convince you that it is highly disagreeable to the
whole continent, nay further that they will never submit to it. You
can well judge from the account you have long e'er this Received
from America how we are circumstanced and should have been glad
of your opinion on the Subject. Pray write me by all ways & oppor
tunities how thins are like to turn.
: letters give us a glimpse into the cares of John
Handock. -rfWd;seei'Somowhat of the extent of his for
eign utfade,.:whichj fwibhni hist i domestic business, must
GOODS OKDEKKD SUBJECT TO KKrKAL OF ACrT 1 03
have been very extensive ; and no stenographer sat at
his left hand to catch his dictations between calls, but
very many of his letters must have been penned with
his own hand, although an assistant may have mended
the pens.
Leaving his letters still open, John Hancock makes
haste to Faneuil Hall to attend the adjourned meeting,
when the report of the legal committee is presented
and voted unsatisfactory, and the meeting adjourned to
Dec. 26. The merchant had time to complete his let
ters. With the heat of the town-meeting discussion
upon him, and the gibes of those who opposed the
action of the town to goad him, he takes his pen and
writes : —
I can only further say that I pray your best influence for us.
Nothing will quiet and re-instate us hut the entire repeal of this
cruel Stamp Act, and pray God grant us that relief.
Later he writes : —
You have my Invoice for my Spring supply of goods under the
following limitations, which I insist that you strictly comply with,
viz. — In case there is a repeal of the Stamp Act, you will please to
send me by Marshall the several articles in the inclosed Invoice.
Let them be well chosen, well packed, & charged at the lowest
prices, £ send every article, if the Stamp Act be repealed, but in
case the Stamp Act is not repealed, my orders are that you will not
upon any consideration ship me one article. I have wrote for this
in consideration of the United Resolves of not only the Principal
Merchants & Traders of this Town but of those of the other trading
towns of this Province, & which I am determined to abide by. I
will not import one single manufacture of Great Britain unless this
grievous Burthen be removed, and I have further to pray the favor
that if this act be not repealed, you make out and send me all my
account & what ever Balance may be due to you I will endeavor to
remit as soon as possible, as under the Burthen of the Stamp Act
104 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
I cannot carry on my business to any advantage & I cannot be a
Slave to enrich Placemen.1
It is not the telephone that has occasioned the appar
ent repetitions in the foregoing letter, but the calls of
such men as Samuel Adams, who only make the writer
more determined ; and he adds sentences for emphasis
after each retires. Who that has compassion for a
nervous, overworked merchant of these days, during the
uncertainty of tariff legislation, can fail to sympathize
with this young merchant, as in those early months of
his entire dependence upon his own judgment, his uncle
being dead, he faces the manifold cares of the Hancock
business ?
In addition to all that we have thus far seen was the
care of the real estate and the great home. There was
solicitude for his honored aunt, so suddenly bereaved of
her noble husband ; the negro slaves willed to her were
quick to know that " Massa Hancock " was no more.
The stock of cattle that grazed over the pasture on
Beacon Hill needed the oversight of an interested eye,
or they would rapidly depreciate in value. Who could
have thought of envy as he watched the Hancock char
iot roll out of town, conveying the honored widow and
her overworked nephew to Lexington to get a little rest
with Parson Clark and Mrs. Jonas Clark at the family
hearthstone.
1 Placemen, those who hold positions under the government. In this
case the officers sent over from England to enforce revenue laws.
EVER READY TO AID WORTHY YOUiVG MEN 1 05
CHAPTER XI
EVER READY TO AID WORTHY YOUNG MEN. HANCOCK
NEGLECTS HIS OWN BUSINESS FOR THE GOOD OF HIS
COUNTRY. A GENERAL BUSINESS AGENCY. LIST OF
MERCHANTS ASSOCIATED WITH HANCOCK. ORDERS GOODS
IN CASE THE STAMP ACT IS REPEALED. "HANCOCK AND
HIS CREW." LOSS BY WRECK. COLONEL HENRY BROM-
FIELD. RICHARD CLARK. HANCOCK IN TOWN-MEETING.
GARRISON SUPPLIES.
JOHN HANCOCK, in the midst of all his burdens, was
ever ready to aid deserving young men who showed a
talent for business. By the Briton he sends to Bar-
nards & Harrison the following : -
By Captain Scott, as I have not time now, I shall send you an
Invoice of Goods to be put up and sent by Marshall for the supply
of a shop to a person I am going to put into that Branch, and of
which more by Scott. I mean to be sent if the Stamp Act be re
pealed. This Invoice will be nearly like Mr. Jenkin's, that you
mav make some Provisions. The Bill I have drawn on you in
favour of Clement Jackson was partly to engage his Correspondence
& Concerns to you ; he applied to me for advice with respect to the
house & at home. I strongly recommend him to you. This Mr.
Jackson's father is a man of Estate, tho1 I can't say he makes him
self liable. He writes you by this oppy. for a parcel of goods,
much more than the amount of the Bill. You will act your pleas
ure as to sending them, but from what I can collect from Mr. Jack
son, he is well disposed & believe will use his Endeavor to be
punctual in his remittances. I think you may make trial of him
without any great risque, but do as you judge best. He is young
and in course of time may make an agreeable correspondent.
You cannot be sensible what a state of confusion this Stamp Act
has brought on us.
IO6 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
John Hancock has the added annoyance of being fre
quently reminded by his agents abroad that he is be
hind in his accounts, and that remittances are overdue.
In reply to one such he says : —
I have been for some time past engaged in public matters with
respect to the Redress of our present Grievances. So that I am
prevented fulfilling my promise of sending all accounts by this.
They shall be sent by Scott and Bunker. Our Custom House is
now open without the use of Stamps, & we are in hopes the Courts
of Justice will be opened shortly and things go on the usual way.
I hope there will be no difficulty with respect to the Marshall clear
ance. If the Stamp Act should be laid aside, You will send all my
goods, & pray let them be of the best kind.
Inclosed you have Mary Baker's Certificate for four months Pen
sion, £6. 13.4, when paid you will please to pass to my credit.
By the foregoing it is seen that Mr. Hancock inter
ested himself in securing from government a pension
for the widow Mary Baker.
The following affords a glimpse of that famous lawyer,
James Otis, as he enters the counting-room at Han
cock's store, and presents his bill for legal services,
Mr. Hancock having employed his friend and neighbor,
Otis, to attend to some business for a friend in Lon
don : —
In our Company Letter of 28*h Oct. 1763, we Inclosed you Mr.
Otis' Receipt for cash pd. him Expences etc. for account of Arthur
Jones, and desired you to receive it of Mr. Jones, and Credit our
account but on looking over Your acco" I find no credit for it, & as
I have not included it in Mr. Jones1 account now sent him, I in
close you my Bill on Mr. Jones for £4. Stg. amt. of cash pd. Mr.
Otis, which you will please to get paid and credit my account for the
same.
You must Excuse me that I cannot send you all accounts by
this, I have not been able, we have been terribly confus'd here, but
hope we shall soon be redress'd. I have not yet had time to exam
ine the accounts you sent, but shall finish all matters to go by Scott.
MERCHANTS ASSOCIATED WITH J1ANCOCK IO/
Other men call in time to secure Hancock's attention
to other business before the sailing of the vessel, wit-
nesseth the following : —
Inclos'd is a power of attorney to your G. H. from Sam1 &
Ebr Brown of this Town, as also a Note of hand due from T. Jas
Gruchy of Gurnsey for ^53. 17. 8. Lawfull money. I take the Lib
erty to pray the favour of your G. H. to obtain payment thereof,
which will much oblige the persons. I shall esteem a favour, when
reed, You will please to pass the aint. to my credit and send me
advice of it with the Charges, attending that I may pay the Browns.
My best wishes attend you & I am with unfeigned Truth,
Gent.
Your real Friend & obedt Servt-
The appended paragraph affords a suggestion of the
extent of John Hancock's business, and recalls the
names of merchants and firms who constituted the busi
ness element of Boston at the close of 1765, or as
English merchants were allied with those of Boston.
Bills drawn on you, not before advis'd of, & which you will
please to honour —
To
Edward Wigglesworth NO. 24 £ 25
Arthur Jones & Co. 25 437. 2. 2
John Apple-ton 26 100
Iona Clarke 27 TOO
Sanil Eliot 28 200
Abigl Whitney & daughter 29 300
B. Gerrish Esq. (my order) Dec. 5 40
Kichd Gary 30 150
\Vharton & Bowes 31 120
Susannah Brimmer 32 100
Nathl Appleton 33 100
John Appleton 34 200
Saml Fletcher 35 100
Clemt. Jackson 36 500 [ stroye
Caleb Blanchard 37 1000
John Marshall 38 90
3562. 2. 2
108 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
I think I should not be charg'd ty Cr on all the Bills, as one
half is for purchase here for your acco"-
MESSRS. BAKNARDS & HARRISON.
Edward Wigglesworth was an importer of British and
India goods, and kept in Marlboro Street.
Others have appeared in this correspondence, and
subsequent allusions are made to several of them.
Under the date of Dec. 21, 1765, Hancock writes to
Devonshire & Reeves thus : —
I have sent you so fully my sentiments on the subject of the
Stamp Act that I think I need not add more to convince you that it's
highly disagreeable to the whole Continent, & I have strong hopes
that the Parliament will relieve us.
Inclos'd I send you small order for Goods to be sent me by the
first Spring Ship in case the Stamp Act is repealed, but if the act be
not repeal'd, I must desire you will not send me one article in the In
voice, this is in consequence of the United Resolutions of the Mer
chants here & the other Trading Towns, & I have wrote to all my
Correspondents in London to the same Effect, if the Stamp Act is
repealed do let the goods be well put up & charg'd at the lowest price
for which I will make you a punctual remittance.
I wish you health & happiness & am
Gent-
Your most obed1- Servt-
The adjourned town-meeting of Dec. 26 was held,
and its action, with others, had a great effect ; and the
final result was, that the courts did proceed without
stamps, excepting the Probate Court at Boston, of which
Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson was judge. He soon
resigned ; and Governor Bernard, after some delay, ap
pointed Foster Hutchinson. He was ready to comply
with the sentiments of the patriots. "Hancock and his
crew," as they were derisively called in England and
among the Loyalists on this side of the water, had a
HANCOCK AND "HIS CREW
ICQ
powerful influence at this time of the Revolutionary
period. No more trying winter can be imagined than
this of 1765-1766. Business was largely suspended,
and all was uncertainty ; no goods were ordered from
abroad unless accompanied with the one proviso, the re
peal of the Stamp Act. There were foes from within
as well as from without. There were not wanting many
wealthy, honored people, who sincerely believed that the
so-called patriots were wrong, and were bringing ruin
upon a happy and
prosperous class of
the subjects of the
king. Honored
pastors denounced
these bold acts from
their pulpits, and
fervently prayed for
God's mercy upon
the misguided peo
ple, while they lost
no opportunity to
pray, " God save
the king."
When we consider that Boston, the leading town in
this rebellion, had only about i 5,000 inhabitants, and
the whole colony not over 240,000 souls, we can but
pause and with bated breath wonder at the results.
Ships now went to sea as before, but each went out
with great uncertainty. In the midst of this depres
sion Hancock was not so cast down as to lose all hope
for the future. While he was prepared for the worst,
he was ready to avail himself of the more favorable
times.
JOHN HANCOCK'S MONEY BOOK.
IIO JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
On Jan. 22, 1766, he writes to his London agents : —
I wish you would give me the earliest notice in the Spring how
you think the Price of oyl £ Bone will Govern next Summer as
also Pott Ashes, & \\c\i Sort of Oyl You would advise to be largest
Concern'd in, as I am determined the Coming Year (please God I
live) to be more largely Concerned in oyl, Bone & Pottash than
ever, If you can Advise the least prospect it may answer, I shall
however abide by Your Advices, but am Determined to push in
these Concerns & not have it in so many hands & should be glad to
know Your inclinations as to a concern. I suppose You would be
fond of, and in the half: I shall ship none in Compa with Folger,
except what goes in the Boston Packett of wc!l You will duly
advise me. Uo Just as You please, but I would not have You open
Concerns with any others in that Branch, as it will hurt the whole,
& I will Venture to say no man here can command more oyl or so
much as myself & You may rely I shall always purchase on the best
Terms, as I pay my Cash on the Delivery & that will always Com
mand the Markett. I am sorry to tell you that I had the misfor
tune to have a Load of Oyl cast away on the Back of Cape Codd.
Vessell entirely lost, but had the good luck to save almost all the
Ovl, -which was put on Board another vessell, but the wind being at
this season to the No. West, She is not yet up, but hope she may
soon be here. I only wait for that oyl to Dispatch Scott wcl> will be
up the first Southerly wind. The vessel that brought up part of the
oyl on b'd Marshall was Cast ashore on Cape Codd, but luckily got
off without much Damage.
Agreeable to a former promise, I have been obliged to draw on
You a few Bills, as at Bottom in favr \V™ Phillips for Mr. Brom-
field who was a passenger in Marshall, & in fav«" Mr. Wm Gardiner,
who is passenger in this vessell, as they Rest with You I must beg
You will duly honor them.
Mr. Henry Bromfield, above mentioned, was later
known as Colonel Bromfield. He was a prominent
merchant of the time, and made frequent trips to Eng
land in the interests of his business. He was connected
with the Fayerweather family by an early marriage, and
later with the Clark family through marriage with a
daughter of Richard Clark, a merchant of distinction
I I
in Boston. The Chirks had a store in King (State)
Street. Richard Clark was one of the consignees of the
" obnoxous tea," and was obliged to retire for safety to
the Castle at the time of the tea-party. Bromfield, to
escape trouble, which he plainly saw was inevitable, pur
chased an estate in Harvard, and retired to it soon after
the opening of the Revolution. lie never gave up the
Continental costume, but always adhered to his large
powdered wig, square brown coat and vest, with broad
pockets and lapels, black small-clothes or breeches, nice
silk stockings, silver knee and shoe buckles, and carried
a gold-headed cane. He commanded the respect of the
people of the retired town of Harvard, where he is still
pleasantly remembered. When he left the society of
John Hancock and other merchants of the day, he took
with him a negro body servant, Othello, or " Thurlo "
as he was better known. This slave formed a very
strong attachment
for his master ; but
he evidently did
not understand the
occasion of his
master's seclusion,
regarding it as a
sort of punish
ment. Othello was
once heard address
ing an unruly cow
thus : -
" You are cross, you are ugly ; you'll have to eat alone
same as Massa does."
Colonel Brom field, like John Hancock, had a strong
attachment for his slave ; and in the old burying-ground
HANCOCK FAMILY TOMB AT LEXINGTON.
I I 2 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
at Harvard may be read, on a well-kept stone at an
isolated grave, the following : —
OTHELLO,
THE FAITHFUL FRIEND OF
HENRY BROM FIELD
CAME FROM AFRICA ABOUT 1760,
DIED 1813, AGED ABOUT 73.
Colonel Bromfield's grave is in King's Chapel Bury-
ing-ground, Boston. The family monument is, like that
of the Hancock family, at Lexington.
John Hancock finds it difficult to collect the bills be
longing to the estate of his deceased uncle; and in this
letter of Jan. 2, 1766, he writes to his agents : —
I should be very glad you would endeavor to obtain payment
of the Bills sent you by my late Uncle long ago — say Shirley's,
Gorhams, & many others, I can't but think the Government would
pay Shirley's Bill if applied to. Do use Your Endeavours for me,
for vvch I shall be much oblig'd, it is hard I should lose them.
I am in great hopes to despatch Scott in ten days ; in short, we
are in such an unsettled state & in so much confusion that it is im -
possible to sit down quietly to do Business. But I sincerely hope
we shall soon be re-instated in our former Situation by the Repeal
or setting aside that unconstitutional, cruel & D d Stamp Act,
wch has done the Colonies more Injury than will be Recovered in
many years, pray use your Influence for us. By Scott I shall send
you an Invo. of goods for the full supply of a shop to come, if the
Stamp Act be repealed.
I wish you the compliments of the season & am with the most
perfect esteem,
Gentm., Your Real friend & most faithful Humble servt.
The adjourned town-meeting was much more quiet
and peaceful. It was voted that the representatives of
the town in General Assembly use their influence that
justice be duly administered in the counties throughout
the Province, and also use their influence that proper
GARRISON SUPPLIES 113
inquiry be made into the conduct of any who have aided
the Stamp Act. The meeting then dissolved. This re
lieved the selectmen, and John Hancock had more time
to devote to his own affairs. Ever ready for any hope
ful business venture, he continued a line pursued by his
lamented uncle. It appears in the following letter : —
BOSTON, Janry i6th, 1766.
The delay of the Returns of the Survey of the Provisions at
Chignecto & Annapolis and of sending to me the Condemned Pro
vision, before wcl1 I could not have completed Your accounts, has
been the occasion that I have not till now wrote & Transmitted
your accts. w<* circumstance I hope will plead my excuse with You.
... I also enclose your acct. of supplies for your contract of 500
men in Nova Scotia and charges attending it to June 25th. I en
close Your acct. Ballance due me .£1340, 3-8. sterling for \\ch sum
I have drawn a set of Bills of Exchange on You in favor of Messrs.
Barnards & Harrison, merchts., in London, which you will please to
honor and balance the commissions authorized between us. I have
supplied provisions to the Garrison to carry on your contract, on the
new agreement & shall continue it, till one of us gives the notice
Specified in the article for an alteration, and I am now to acquaint
You that I strictly adhere to my proposals made & Your agreement
to my Taking Your contract at Four pence half penny sterl'g pr.
man pr. Day, with the addition of ^160 pay to Commissioner & look
upon it that my Letters are as equally Binding and my Intention is
that they should be, under the several Limitations in the Articles £
Bond Sent me, as if they had been sign'd & properly Executed 25th
June last, the Day I Took the contract, & mean to continue my
Supplies in future under the same Restrictions & on the same Foot
ing as mentioned in the articles ; & hope I shall ever Transact it to
the entire satisfaction of all concern'd.
I am with great Respect,
Sir, Your most obed1 Humble Serv1-
To MATHEW WOODFOKD ESQR-
114 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
CHAPTER XII
HANCOCK STARTS A YOUNG MAN IN BUSINESS. BOLDLY DE
CLARES HIS RIGHTS. INTRODUCES WILLIAM BOWES. HE
SOLICITS BUSINESS. MERCHANTS IN LONDON FEEL THE
BUSINESS DEPRESSION. UTTERANCES OF THE PRESS. LIB
ERTY TREE. HANCOCK ON COMMITTEE OF RESOLUTIONS
FOR TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.
IN a letter of Jan. 18 to Barnards & Harrison, he says
he has purchased a large quantity of naval stores for
the garrison at Nova Scotia, and adds : —
I hope the Brig, will arrive safe & meet a good market, pray
obtain the best price for the whalebone, it is very good. I have
had it by me for some time, I hope it will net a good profit. ... I
also enclose Your acct. of amt. of Boston Packetfs last cargo, in
thirds with you Folger £ Starbuck & myself amt. to ^3820, 2. 7.
Lawfull money, one third the produce of w<=h you will pass to the
Credit of my acct. ,£955, o. j\ sterl'g being cash paid by me for
your third cost of Boston Packetts Cargo in Boston.
He notes the purchase of the brig Lydia "at .£982
13^. 9^., with charges of £61 12s. 9^., making the
whole cost complete for the seas ^1044 6s. 6*/." Of
another plan to start a young man in business, he
writes : —
Inclosed you have an Invoice of Goods to be put up & sent me
in the spring as early as You can, if the Stamp act be Repealed,
other ways not. These goods, I beg may be well chosen & Packed
& charged at the lowest Rates. My design being to put them in a
shop for Retail in which I shall place a young man who has been
with me since my late uncle's death — as my brother's leaving the
HANCOCK BOLDLY DECLARES JUS RIGHTS 115
store occasioned my wanting more help just at that juncture, as I
had a multiplicity of affairs to attend to. Of whose abilities I have
a high opinion £ shall now make tryall as well for his advantage as
my own & if it answers I shall order the goods after these to be
charged to his accn't.
As another apology for seeming neglect he writes : —
I have wrote you so fully on the subject of our Grievances &
Burthens that I shall not add on that Head, only say that if we are
not Relieved our Trade is gone £. we a Ruined people. I shall
at once drop all Connections with Business, for I am so- much of
an Englishman that no power shall force me to carry on Business,
the Profits of which to be applied to Place men, who we should be
much better without than with them, neither is, nor shall my Prop
erty be at the Controll & Service of any one that pleases to demand
it, w* I am sorry to say there is too great a probability of its being
the case. But I am invariably Determined to support my Liberty
and Property at ye expense of every thing else & will be free in a
free Country £ under a free Government. I have a Right to it &
no man a Right to Deprive me of it. You may depend that by-
next opportunity I will close & send you all accounts of Vessels &
sales, etc.
Notwithstanding the unrest and uncertainty of affairs,
John Hancock endeavored to put himself in good stand
ing with a business-house which was connected with his
uncle. Of this he writes : —
I have it in my power, I think, to Transact all matters as well as
any man in this country & w<=h shall always be Executed in the best
manner, & shall hope for your Commands in preference to others.
My scituation, ever since my Uncle's death, has been a scene of
Hurry & our Confused State here has really prevented my closing
matters as I could have wished to have done, but Beg Your Excuse,
wch I am Confident you will Readily grant, considering all Circum
stances. I imagine if the Stamp Act be repealed that you will be at
no loss to freight Marshall £ Scott & Doubt not but you will give
them all the Despatch in yr. power. I desire you will send me by
Scott Ten Tons of best Hemp, besides what I have wrote for to
come in Marshall.
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
We now notice Mr. Hancock's first intimation of
aiding his relatives. William Bowes, hereafter men
tioned, was a cousin
of the merchant ;
he was one of that
flock of children
of the Bedford par
sonage, cousins of
John Hancock, who
took such delight
in the visits of the
finely dressed boy
who came out from
Boston with his
FANEUIL HALL OF 1763.
uncle and aunt to
get the country air. He writes : —
My particular friend & Relation, Mr. William Bowes, is Passen
ger in Captain Scott, he proposes spending six or eight months in
England. I take the freedom to recommend him to your Particular
Notice & Civilities, wch I doubt not you will cheerfully afford him &
which I shall Esteem a favor. He is a gentn. of good mind, Sober,
Honest & Industrious, & very Deserving, & one I have a high opin
ion of. I wish him a happy sight of you. I Refer you to him for
all matters stirring here & hope his Visit to you will Establish an
agreeable Correspondence with you. I beg the favr. of yor. best
advice & assistance & that you will in all Respects grant him yor.
Countenance. Should Mr. Bowes have occasion for money at any
Time, I pray you will please to supply with what sum or sums
he may apply to you for even to the amt. of one Thousand or Fif
teen hundred pounds sterling, wch Charge to my acct. advising me
thereof. I shall by next opportunity Transmit you some Remit
tance, as I would not by any means put you to the inconvenience of
advancing for me, when I can possibly avoid it. Tho1 it will some
times happen so, & when it does I am ever Disposed to make every
satisfaction; but Considering the extent of my Business I hope you
will think I do pretty well. I must Refer to my next, being now
INTRODUCES WILLIAM BOWES I I/
Reduced to the evening to finish my Letters, & am Determined
Scott shall sail early in the morning. Shall soon write you again
when you may Rely I will close £ send all accts. between us. My
sincere wishes attend you for Health, Success and every kind of
Felicity & believe with greatest Truth
Gentn., Your Real friend £ most faithful humble servt.
MKSS. BARNAKDS £ HARRISON.
Under the same date Mr. Hancock writes : —
Should the Stamp Act be repealed £ our Grievances Removed
I shall Extend my Business £ in all my demands from your place
wholly apply to your house, and having the highest opinion of your
Fidelity £ Integrity, I purpose next season to Build a vessell of
about no Tons to keep Running between this £ Bristol, having
a person to put in her who has long been in my Employ.
John Hancock was not spoiled by coming suddenly
into possession of a great business and fortune. It
seemed to be his ambition to maintain the good repu
tation which his uncle, Thomas Hancock, enjoyed, and
also to increase the business. If vanity was at times
seen in his dress and habits, the only wonder is that his
circumstances did not make him more so. His aim to
extend his business is seen in the following extract : —
I am sensible of your connections £ concerns this way with Re
spect to your Particular Business in Navigation £c. I suppose your
intentions are to continue them, at least you will if they have been
advantageous, as I imagine they have. I know not what alterations
the melancholy event of Mr. Griffin's death may occasion in your
concerns here, or perhaps you may have already placed them else
where. I mean not to interfere with your connections, but I beg
leave to say that if at any time an opportunity may offer, when you
can agreeable to yourselves place any concerns with me you may
depend on the utmost Dispatch, Fidelity £ punctuality £ that in
any commands you may please to favr. me with you may rely on
the greatest attention to your Interests in all Respects. I think I
may venture to say no man here can better serve your Interests
than myself. You will excuse my mentioning thus much. I heart-
JlS JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
ily wish you every kind of Felicity & whenever I may be useful I
beg you freely command —
Gentn.,
Your most faithful & obedt. Humble Servt.
To MESSRS. DEVONSHIRE & REEVES.
On the same date he writes to recommend Edward
Jackson, a brazier, to the firm of Barnards & Harrison
for credit. On Jan. 25, 1766, he writes to Barnards &
Harrison : —
Captain Freeman arrived here last night, but not a line from you
— I should be heartily glad to hear from you on the subject of our
American affairs. If we are not relieved our trade is gone, for it is
the United Resolution of this Continent not to submit to the Stamp
Act, as we look upon it as unconstitutional. Am very glad that
you begin to feel the ill consequences of the Stamp Act, & I look
upon it that the Stoppage of Importing goods & the failure of Re-
INVOICE HEAD USED BY JOHN HANCOCK.
mittances, wch must fail if our Trade be gone, will have as good an
Effect as we can Desire, & I pray you will exert yourselves for us,
as to the Rashness your G. H. mentions, we have been guilty of
I look upon it that no such rash measures have been taken in what
particularly respects the Stamp Act. The Injury that has been
done the Lieut. GovY. was quite a different affair, & was not done
by this Town & is what I abhor & Detest as much as any man
breathing, and would go great lengths in Repairing his Loss but an
opposition to the Stamp Act is highly commendable, when I say
that, I don't mean that every step that has been taken is so, but as
LIBERTY TREE I 19
a people & a wide extended Country the general Dislike & opposi
tion to the act is commendable. But I have said enough to con
vince you of my Dislike to it & I pray we may be relieved. . . .
My friend Wm. Bowes went in Scott. I Beg your particular notice
of him & pray my hearty Love to him. Do write me often, pray
send me by Capt. Marshall a peck of steel filings to use instead of
Black sand.
To MESSRS. BARNARDS & HARRISON.
Hancock's sentiments written to foreign agents lacked
none of the spirit of some utterances published in the
papers of the time. They boldly denounced the Stamp
Act as unconstitutional, and said, " Shall we not, then,
all, as one man, join in opposing it, and spill the last
drop of our blood, if necessary, rather than live to see
it take place in America ? "
It was at this time, Feb. 20, that there was a cere
mony by the Sons of Liberty, who caused to be placed
on Liberty-Tree 1 the following : —
THIS TREE WAS PLANTED IN THE YEAR 1646,
AND PRUNED BY ORDER OF THE
SONS OF LIBERTY, FEB. I4TH, 1766.
There was also a public burning of stamped papers
sent up from Halifax with blood-red stamps on each.
With this public demonstration in mind, Hancock re
tires to his counting-room, and writes, on Feb. 26 : —
I am very glad you have interested yourselves for us & wish your
application may produce the Desired Effect. I am sure it is as
1 The tree was cut down in 1775 °y the British and Tories. One
of the company was killed by the falling of a limb. A liberty-pole was
erected and maintained on the spot for a long time.
I2O JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
much for the interest of Great Britain as ourselves to Ease our
trade & in the case of the Stamp Act, there seems a necessity of
Repealing it for almost to a man throughout the Continent, they
are determined to oppose it, but I hope very soon to hear some
good acct. from you. Do give me the earliest notice that the Par
liament determines. I imagine the Brig Harrison will be the first
Vessel here if the Stamp Act be repealed. You will have goods
enough to load Marshall & Scott. Tho. they will be here late, I
will Endeavor to have Oyl ready for them. I have now several
whaling vessels of my own & in about three weeks shall fit them
out, that with common success I shall have a large quantity of Oyl
& Bone. I propose being pretty largely concerned the coming year
in purchasing Oyl. I beg your opinion as early as possible as to
oyl & bone. ... I think I can venture to say that no man here
can better consult your Interest in all Respects than myself. I hope
soon to hear from you, my best wishes attend you for all Kind
of Felicity, £ I am with best Compliments £ sincere Professions of
Friendship
Gent"
Your Faithfull £ mos1 obed*
Humble Servt
MESS. BARNARDS £ HARRISON.
The annual town-meeting of March brought added
cares to the busy merchant. Besides a re-election as
one of the selectmen, he was chosen on a committee
with Samuel Adams to draw up a letter of thanks to
the town of Plymouth, in recognition of one from that
town addressed "To the Respectable Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston," in which was expressed most hearty
concurrence in all their recent acts. What part John
Hancock had in the preparation of this letter is not
known, but it stands on the records as a memorial of
the sentiments of the town and of the committee. It
concludes thus : —
"That the spirit of our venerable forefathers may
revive and be diffused through every community in this
HANCOCK ON COMMITTEE OF RESOLUTIONS 121
Land ; that Liberty, Civil and Religious, the grand Ob
ject of their View, may still be felt, enjoyed and vindi
cated by the present Generation, and the fair Inheritance
transmitted to our latest Posterity, is the fervent wish of
the metropolis."
122 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
CHAPTER XIII
THE REPEAL OF THE STAMP ACT. THE WELCOME NEWS
BROUGHT BY HANCOCK'S VESSEL. THE PUBLIC REJOICING.
HANCOCK FREELY TREATS TO MADEIRA. INSCRIPTIONS
TO LIBERTY ENGRAVED BY PAUL REVERE. HANCOCK IN
GENERAL COURT.
ON March 18 the Stamp Act was repealed, but it
was two months before a copy of the act of repeal was
received in Boston. It was expected, however, as is
seen by the following letter to Devonshire & Reeves : —
BOSTON, March 27, 1766.
I hope soon to hear of the Repeal of the Stamp Act. It is such
an oppressive & unconstitutional act that I am persuaded the Parlia
ment upon consideration will Relieve us. I am much obliged to
your good office in this matter, & hope your Representation will
meet success. Please to send 100 Doz. Pins No. 4. ; 10 Doz short
whites.
On the same day to Barnards & Harrison he writes : —
I have wrote to Messrs. Devonshire & Reeves of Bristol to Draw
on you for Balance of my acct. When their bill appears I pray the
fav'r. You will please duly to honor it & charge its amt. to my
acct. We are just beginning to fit out our whalemen & hope shall
have good success. I have no acct. of Liberty, Capt. Smith. Hope
he will soon arrive. I shall make no saving by her. I shall dispose
of her next voyage. Messrs. Barker & Burnell of Nantucket & my
self have entered a concern on a Brig, to be employed this season in
the Straights on a Whaling voyage & if she meet with success is to
proceed with her oyle & Bone direct from the Straights to London.
She will go to Your address, by wch we shall make a considerable
THE REPEAL OF TJIK STAMP ACT 123
saving, having made such arrangement with the crew as if she meets
success, will be agreeable to our advantage of wcl> more hereafter.
The best wishes attend for all Happiness & believe me very sin
cerely Genfn
Your most faithful & obliged Humble servt.
The Hancock home for many years had been one to
which the officials and men of dignity had freely gone.
Thomas Pownal, who preceded Francis Bernard as gov
ernor, was a warm friend of Thomas Hancock and wife,
and had become much attached to their nephew. He
looked after the young man when in England, and was
still in correspondence with the merchant. To this
man of distinction John Hancock writes on March 27,
1766:-
I am favored with Your Letter of Dec. I , last, & note the con
tents. I observe what you mention with Respect to your money
matters & the prospect of getting it home by means of General
Gage's Bills on the Treasury & that he was to draw on me for the
money. I have reed., a letter from General Gage on this subject,
copy of wch I now Inclose You, by wch You will see he expects I send
the Money to New York wch is impracticable, at least, untill I have
your orders therefor, as it will be attended with some Risque, &
that I could not take upon myself. I have wrote General Gage 1
that I could no way send the money to York without yor order, &
indeed it seems not to be your intention by Your Letter. I likewise
wrote him that I should Remitt the money to You from hence, this
Spring. I am now to acquaint You that as soon as I possibly can
procure Bills, I shall remitt the money & Lodge it in the hands of
my Friends, Mess. Barnards & Harrison, Merchts in London & as
soon as Effected shall order them to pay you the full Am° of the
notes, with Interest in my hands : state of wch I shall send you as
soon as I can procure the Bills & shall advise you of such my orders
to those Gentn when you will please to give them a Rec1- in full of
all monies lod'g'd in my late Uncle's hands.
My aunt has been long confined, but thank God is upon the
1 General Gage was then commander-in-chief of His Majesty's forces
in North America.
124 JOHN HANCOCK, 1I1S BOOK
Recovery. She begs her particular respects to you & your Lady
& congratulates you on your connection with so agreeable a Lady &
wishes you every kind of felicity. I hope soon to hear the Result
of Parliament with Respect to our American affairs & am persuaded
that upon Consideration that most unconstitutional & oppressive
Stamp Act will be Repealed. It is a Grievance that the Colonies
cannot submit to. Our trade must be Ruined & think it much for
the Interests of Great Britain to give us a free & extensive Trade.
I shall be always glad of the honor of a Line from you. I heartily
wish you Health, happiness & am with unfeigned esteem sir.
Your most obliged & most faithful Humble servt.
To His EXCELLENCY Gov. POWNAL.
On April i the inhabitants of Boston met in Faneuil
Hall. The occasion, as stated by the moderator, James
Otis, was the expectation of hearing an authentic ac
count of the repeal of the Stamp Act. The selectmen
were chosen as a committee to make plans for a season
of rejoicing, and give the inhabitants seasonable notice
in such manner as they shall think best.
While plans for the public demonstration are being
carefully made by the committee, who doubtless meet
in Hancock's counting-room, the merchant turns to his
desk, takes his quill, and writes to London agents : —
We momentarily expect to hear from England. We have had
several accts. that the Stamp Act is repealed & hope very soon to
have a confirmation of it.
My Best wishes attend You, I cant add but that I am
Your very Humble servt-
MESS. BARNARDS £ HARRISON.
On April 30, in another letter to his London agents,
he speaks of the arrival of Captain Jacobson, who has
brought news of the repeal, and says : —
I hope the next vessel will bring us the entire repeal of it. You
may rest assured that the people in this country will exert them
selves to show their Loyalty & attachment to Great Britain.
NEWS BROUGHT BY HANCOCK'S VESSEL 125
On May 27 he writes to the same persons : -
Our Brig Harrison Capt. Shubael Coffin brought us the first ac
count of the Repeal of the Stamp Act, which gave us great Joy £
has given a new face to things. Our rejoicing has been conducted
in a very Decent, Reputable manner, & I hope now peace & har
mony will prevail. My best Influence £ endeavors to that purpose
shall be used. I doubt not but the colonies will make all the grate
ful Returns in their power.
The Express sent off by your Merchts we just hear is arrived at
Virginia. Letters not yet come, that with the former Letter will be
answered immediately after the Recf of the Letter by the Express.
Capt. Marshall arriv'd here in a fine passage of 31 days from
London, he is now unloading £ I shall use my best endeavours to
get him away as soon as possible, th° oyl is not yet come in. The
Brig Harrison is gone to Nantuckett & hope she will be soon Dis
patched. I cannot now make a particular Reply to your favrs but
will by Smith who will sail in about Fourteen days.
Your Real friend
£ Obliged Humble Serv*-
MESS. HARRISONS £ BARNARD.
With a light heart and a hopeful, cheerful manner,
John Hancock, as all the merchants, start in for spring
business.
It was on May 16 that a copy of the Act of Repeal
was received in Boston.
It was an occasion of peculiar pride to Hancock that
a vessel in which he was a part owner should have
brought the official announcement of the repeal of the
Stamp Act. Letters of gratitude were sent to the mem
bers of Parliament who espoused the cause of the colo
nies ; and their replies were laid before the people, who
ordered them spread upon the records.
The public demonstration, so carefully planned by the
town's committee, is one of interest to all who have
entered into the spirit of the burden so long distressing
the people. The plans and rejoicing, declared by Han-
126
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
cock to be " Decent and Reputable" was described more
fully in the papers of the time, thus : —
April 28, 1766. — Monday last, The Freeholders and other In
habitants of the Town of Boston, met at Faneuil Hall, where they
were well pleased with the accounts which had been received from
Home, in regard to the progress of the repeal of the Stamp Act ;
whereupon they voted the methods to exhibit their joy, when the
account shall arrive of the Bill
for a Repeal has passed the
whole Legislature voted unan
imously that the magistrates of
the Town, the Selectmen, Fire-
wards, Constables and Engi
neers, be desired to use their
utmost endeavours, to prevent
any Bonfire being made in any
part of the Town, also the
throwing of Rockets, Squibs,
and other Fireworks, in any of
the streets of said Town, except
the time that shall be appointed
for general Rejoicings ; and that
the inhabitants be desired for the
present to restrain their children
and servants from going abroad
on evenings.
OLD SOUTH MEETING-HOUSE.
The Sons of Liberty
voted, May 17 : —
That their exhibition of joy on the repeal of the Stamp Act be
on the Common.
That fireworks be played off from a stage to be erected near the
Work-House Gates.
That there be an advertisement published on Monday next, of
the intended exhibition ; the place where, and the time when it will
end. I do therefore notify the friends of liberty, that an authentic
account of the Repeal of the Stamp Act is arrived, and the gentle
men, Selectmen of Boston have fixed upon this evening, for the
public rejoicing, at whose desires will be exhibited on the Common,
PUBLIC REJOICING \2J
an Obelisk, engraved by Mr. Paul Revere. The signal of its end
ing will be by firing a horizontal wheel on the top of the Obelisk,
when it is desired the assembly will retire.
By order of the Com.
(Signed) M. Y. Secretary.
May 19, 1766.
On May 26 appeared the following : —
Friday se'nnight, to the inexpressible joy of all were received by
Capt. Coffin, the important news of the repeal of the Stamp Act,
which was signed by His Majesty the i8th March last ; upon which
the bells in the town were set a ringing, the ships in the harbour
displayed their colours, guns were discharged in different parts of
the town, and in the evening were several bonfires. According to
a previous vote of the town, the Selectmen met in the afternoon at
Faneuil Hall, and appointed Monday last for a day of general rejoi
cing on the happy occasion.
The morning was ushered in with music, ringing of bells, and
the discharge of cannon, the ships in the harbour and many of the
houses in town being adorned with colours, — joy smiled in every
countenance, benevolence, gratitude and content seemed the com
panions of all. By the generosity of some gentlemen remarkable
for their humanity and patriotism, our gaol was freed of debtors, —
at one o'clock the castle and batteries, and train of artillery fired a
royal salute ; and the afternoon was spent in mirth and jollity. In
the evening the whole town was beautifully illuminated ; on the
Common the sons of liberty erected a Magnificent pyramid, illu
minated with 280 lamps ; the four upper stories of which were orna
mented with the figures of their Majesties, and fourteen of the
worthy patriots who have distinguished themselves by their love of
liberty. The following lines were on the four sides of the next
apartment, which referred to the emblematical figures on the lower
story, the whole supported by a large base of the doric order.
On the first side : —
O thou whom next to heav'n we most revere,
Fair Liberty ! thou lovely goddess hear !
Have we not woo'd thee, won thee, held thee long,
Laid in thy lap, and melted on thy tongue,
Thr» deaths and dangers rugged paths pursu'd,
And led thee smiling to this solitude;
128 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
. Hid thee within our hearts most golden cell,
And brav'd the powers of earth and powers of hell,
Goddess! we cannot part, thou must not fly —
Be slaves ! we dare to scorn it — dare to die.
On the second side : —
While clanging chains and curses shall salute
Thine ears remorseless G — le, thine O B — e
To you blest patriots, we our cause submit,
Illustrious (Camden) Britain's guardian, Pitt !
Recede not, frown not, rather let us be
Deprived of being, than of Liberty.
Let fraud or malice blacken all our crimes,
No disaffection stains these peaceful climes;
O save us, shield us from impending woes,
The foes of Britain only are our foes.
On the third side : —
Boast foul oppression ! boast thy transient reign,
While honest freedom struggles with her chain,
But know the sons of virtue, hardy, brave,
Disdain to lose thro' mean despair to save.
Arous'd in thunder, awful they appear
With proud deliverance stalking in their rear.
While tyrant foes their pallid fears betray,
Shrink from their arms, and give their vengeance way,
See in th' unequal war oppressors fall,
The hate, contempt and endless curse of all.
On the fourth side : —
Our faith approv'd, our Liberty restored,
Our hearts bend gratefully to our sov'r'gn Lord;
Hail darling Monarch! by this act endear'd
Our firm affections are thy best reward.
Sh'd Britain's self, against herself divide,
And hostile armies frown on either side,—
Sh'd hosts rebellious, shake our Brunswick's throne,
And as they dar'd thy parent, dare the son,
To this asylum stretch thine happy wing,
And we'll contend, who best shall love our King.
On the top of the pyramid was fixed a round box of fireworks
horizontally, About one hundred yards from the pyramid the sons
s -
II
I !
Q C
8 ^
S s
o ^
HANCOCK FREELY TREATS TO MADEIRA 1 29
of liberty erected a stage for the exhibition of their fireworks, near
the workhouse, in the lower room of which they entertained the
gentlemen of the town. John Hancock, Esq., who gave a grand
and elegant entertainment to the genteel part of the town, and
treated the populace with a pipe of Madeira wine, erected at the
front of his house, which was magnificently illuminated, a stage for
the exhibition of fireworks, which was to answer those of the sons
of liberty ! At dusk the scene opened by the discharge of twelve
rockets from each stage; after which the figures on the pyramid
were uncovered, making a beautiful appearance. To give a descrip
tion of the great variety of fireworks exhibited from this time till
eleven o'clock would be endless — the air was filled with rockets —
the ground with beehives and serpents — and the two stages with
wheels of fireworks of various sorts.
Mr. Otis and some other gentlemen who lived near the Com
mon kept open house, the whole evening, which was very pleasant ;
the multitude of gentlemen and ladies, who were continually pass
ing from one place to another, added much to the brilliancy of the
night. At eleven o'clock, the signal being given by a discharge of
21 rockets, the horizontal wheel on the top of the pyramid or obe
lisk was played off, ending in the discharge of 16 dozen of serpents
in the air, which concluded the show. To the honor of the sons
of liberty we can with pleasure inform the world that everything
was conducted with the utmost decency and good order, not a reflec
tion cast on any character, nor the least disorder during the whole
John Hancock was chosen one of four representatives
to the General Court for 1766-1767. This brought
added burdens and responsibility upon the merchant.
It also afforded him an opportunity for proving the sin-
1 By the foregoing account it is seen that fireworks were used as a
means of public expression of joy long before the Declaration of Indepen
dence. It was recorded by Rev. Mr. Bridge of Chelrnsford, Mass., on
Oct. 25, 1759, that "a half doz. Sky Rockets were exploded" upon the
receipt of the intelligence " of the reduction of Quebec."
John Hancock, in a letter of Nov. 18, 1767, to George Haley, says,
" Please to send me ' The Art of making Artificial fireworks wth the method
of Extracting Saltpetre &c ' by Robert Jones, Lieut, of Artillery, first pub
lished by subscription, 1766, octavo wth cults."
130 JOHN HANCOCK', HIS BOOK
cerity of his letter to his London agents, in which he de
nounced the Stamp-act riot. At this General Court there
was passed an act for collecting a tax on imports. This
materially affected John Hancock ; but it was a tax of
their own laying, and aroused no serious opposition.
The spring was now fully upon him ; never before did
June days seem to afford such pleasure. The oppres
sion of the Stamp Act had been averted, and merchants
felt that the future was secure. With all this to exhil
arate John Hancock, he took his quill, and resumed
business activity : —
BOSTON, JiDie 6th, 1766.
GENL. : I wrote you by Jarvis, when I acknowledged the Rect.
of your fav'rs by Coffin, Blake, Shard & Marshall, since wch have
none of yo'r fav'rs. I must beg your further excuse, as I cannot by
this ship make a particular reply to yo'r Letter, being very much
engaged. I duly observe the contents & with regard to the Boston
Packett, shall as soon as I hear from Folger, Determine that matter
as you desire of wch shall write.
This I hope you will Rec'e by the ship Liberty, Henry Smith,
Mas'r., who I have Loaded on my own accott and now Inclose you
Invo. & Bill of Lading of cargo on board the Liberty for my accott.
Say Oyl, Tar, Turpentine, Pottashes, Logwood £ Staves to your
address wch I wish may arrive safe & meet a tolerable market. I
doubt not your best Endeavours to obtain the best prices & Recom
mend your Disposing of it as soon as you can on the best terms
that you may be in cash, the Neat proceeds of wc'i you will please
to pass to my credit with B & H unless you have settled that accott ;
that Ballance to your accott & pray you will as soon as you can send
sales of this cargo with all charges attending the ship & also send
the accott. of the Liberty, the former voyage. . . •
This ship Liberty I should be fond of selling £ Recommend to
you to use your best Endeavours for that purpose I would not give
her away, but if she will fetch a ^1000 sterlg. I should be glad to
part with her & she is Really worth that, upon the whole I Leave
her with you to do what you judge most for my interest. I should
prefer Disposing of her to any tolerable price. . . . But if on the
whole you cannot dispose of the ship, I pray the favr. you will en-
THE SHIP LIBERTY 131
deavour to obtain some employ for her, & if after strict enquiry
nothing better offers £ a freight to Lisbon can be had, you will
please to order to that place, & then take in a Load of Salt for
this place, tho. I should much rather the ship was sold, £ I
must renew my desire to you on that Head. I have drawn on
you of this date No. 51, in fav'r Mrs. Abigail Whitney and
daughter for ^300 st'rl'g, wd» you will please to honour & charge
to my accott. My bills are under the same directions to your late
Co. I have been so hurried have not altered them. Yet this you
will excuse.
I should be very glad, if not already done, that you will plan to
close my accott. with the late com p. of Barnards & Harrison £ that
the Balla. either may be carried to accott. with you, £ pray include
all remittances.
I cannot determine when I shall get Marshall away. Oyl is not
yet at markett, but you may depend I shall use the greatest Dis
patch in Loading her. I am not able to say anything as to the
price of Oyl at present, but fear it will be rather high, but what I
purchase shall be on the best Terms & shall endeavour that the
price be as low as possible. I duly note what you say of whale Bone
£ shall be mindfull to purchase what I can that is good & shall
advise you as I go on.
My best wishes attend for every kind of Felicity £ believe me
with great truth £ affection Gent'n.
Your most obedt. servt.
MESSRS HARRISONS & BARNARDS.
Hancock next writes to his London agents, express
ing gratitude for courtesies shown to Mr. Bowes, and
says : —
I shall be glad of your advice to him in all Respects. I think it
best to embrace the first good opportunity to Return. I am much
hurried, you may depend on every service in my power to promote
the Interests of your house.
On June 30, in addressing Harrisons & Barnards, he
mentions having received a letter from merchants in
London, and that it led to the calling a meeting of
Boston merchants.
132 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
I laid the Letters before them for their consideration. We are
much obliged to you for your Exertions & Endeavors to remove
our grievances £ doubt not but the Colonies will ever show great
gratitude to their Benefactors, such certainly is the disposition of
the people of this province.
I am with much esteem.
Gent'n, Yr. Most Humble Servt.
HANCOCK'S ILL HEALTH 133
CHAPTER XIV
HANCOCK'S ILL HEALTH. A MERCHANT'S SHREWDNESS. AB
SORBING CARES. POWER OF RESENTMENT. BOSTON HAR
BOR FROZEN OVER. SCARCITY OF MONEY. HANCOCK
REPRESENTS BOSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT. HANCOCK
RECOMMENDS JAMES OTIS, ESQ., AS AN ATTORNEY. CHANGE
IN LONDON AGENTS. HANCOCK SCATTERS GUINEAS AMONG
HIS POOR TENANTS. NON-IMPORTATION RESOLUTIONS ARE
REVIVED. ORDERS WINE FROM MADEIRA. HANCOCK HAD
EVERYTHING TO LOSE AND NOTHING TO GAIN.
A LETTER of July 28, 1766, affords light on the finan
cial management of business : —
I have Drawn a few Bills on you as at Bottom hereof. I could
not avoid it, you will please to honour & Charge to my accosts. I
shall hope soon to Rec'e my acco'tt Curr'tt. I know not how my
Acco'tt stands with yo'r late Co. I want to have that acco'tt Settled.
I hope by this my Ship Liberty is safe with you, I wish you may
be able to Dispose of her to my advantage pray do the best you can
for me.
You must Excuse my adding being very unwell & Scott waits only
for my Dispatches, that I must Close, shall soon write you again.
My best wishes attend you for every Felicity & I am with perfect
esteem Gent'n,
Your most obed't Humble Serv't.
Bills drawn, viz. :
To S. Whitney & daughter . v. 52 26th July ^300
Jos. & Danl. Waldo ... 53 do 300 for Pottash
Jno. Cunningham .... 54 28th July 200
Wharton & Bowes . . . . 55 do 170
do. .... 56 do. 105
Clement Jackson .... 57 do. 400
134 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
I could not avoid, as I must keep some money by me ready for
Bone & oyl as it comes in. Inclos'd you have Duplicate of Inv'o
for fall goods.
MESS HARRISONS & BARNARDS.
The session of the General Court which began May
28 was a stormy one, and Hancock was soon reported
too ill to attend to all that demanded his attention.
In a letter of Oct. 7, 1766, he speaks of illness. It
seems to be the alarm-signal of an overtaxed physical
and mental system. On Oct. I 5 he sends to London
for four pieces of very best Bay Holland and two of
best cambric " for my own use. Pray let them be the
very best & well chosen." He asks for directions about
disposing of a trunk of silks shipped some time before.
He says, "They lay in my store. I can never sell them,
& wait your directions." He writes that Lane, Benson,
& Co., of Cork, have some demands against him, and
adds : -
They have but an indifferent opinion of me, but I can't help it.
I could wish it had been otherwise. I hope my friend Bowes will
come in ship Thames, and that he has conducted himself in Lon
don so as to merit your esteem and approbation.
He fails to realize that sudden improvement in busi
ness which he anticipated. He says : —
Our trade is very dull, money very scarce and but an indifferent
prospect of carrying on Business to any advantage. Out of all my
connections and debts I can't raise cash enough for a Load of Oyle
without drawing my own Bills.
By Nov. 8 his spirits have revived, and he is evidently
exulting because of some advantage obtained over his
commercial competitor, Mr. Rotch. He says: —
I have now so well established in those concerns in the Whale
Fishery that I can have the refusal of almost all their oyl & I think
// MERCHANT'S SHREWDNESS 135
Mr. R h has had small success in purchasing & by far the great
est quantity ot'oyl will be in your hands which is my aim.
1 am now fitting up the ship Thomas, Wm. Davis mastr. with
oyl. My view in this is to prevent their purchasing and to hinder
what oyl I can going into other hands, as by large quantities cen
tering with you, you will be better able to command a price & I
hope you will approve this. I believe I may say 1 have purchased
the greater quantity of what oyl has been caught this season & after
the ships Freeman £ Daverson are gone I know not of any oyl but
what I have got. That I can't but think you will have it in your
power almost to obtain your own price for it. I doubt not but you
will exert yourself in the Disposition of it.
On Nov. 10 he writes to his London agents. The
burden of his letter seems to be complaints of a charge
for interest on his unsettled account with them. He
mentions that he has two thousand barrels of oil to
ship. He also lets them know that other business firms
are soliciting his patronage, thus : —
I hear Messrs. Kilby & Symes are setting up a House to be con
nected here. I believe they will not succeed here, persons are not
fond of forsaking old friends for new ones, for my part, I am not.
I think already there are Houses enough established to transact
what Business may be carried on to advantage. Mr. Willim. But
ters has also wrote me on this subject, but I wave my connection
with others, having the strictest Dependence on you both in point
of Honor & friendship. I shall soon write you again. I have been
& still am so excessively hurried that I have scarcely time to sleep,
what with attending court in the House of Assembly, my own store
& ships in & out. Whalemen fitting out for the West Indies & all
my oyle men with open mouths gaping for money. I have enough
to do, but you & I love hurry which will be my lot while I live.
I am with perfect Esteem Gent"
Your affectionate Friend £ oblig'd
Humble Servt-
MESS. HARRISONS & BARNAHDS.
There is appended to this letter a list of bills drawn
on the London house to the amount of ,£4,524. Han-
136 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
cock's business "taffy," as it would be termed in mod
ern parlance, did not accomplish what it was expected to
effect. He writes to the same agents on Dec. 3,
1766:-
To be open & honest, I now tell you I will never excede to it —
otherways — really Gent'n. it is making a mere fool of me. I am
not as void of common sense, as to give way in this, contrary to my
own judgment, but I wave expressing fully my sentiments as to your
transactions in this matter, but will only say that I expect you will
credit my acct. for the ,£300 & interest charged upon it, which if I
have not an acct. from you of its being done in the first letter I re
ceive from you after this reaches you, I will upon my Honor &
Reputation send a single writ down to Casco Bay & take Savage &
secure myself for the ^300 with Interest. 1 will strictly abide by
all my letters, but this treatment really vexes me & I see so much
of the world that I am almost tempted to say I will not concern
myself in trade any longer. I beg your attention to these matters
£ that I may hear from you by the very first oppory, for 1 will not
loose the ,£300. I will as things are circumstanced obtain it if it be
to be had above ground. I can't but think myself very severely
dealt with, better Treatment Gent'n. I think without vanity I mer-
itt. Tho I must say I see no Difference between me & the most
insignificant correspondent you have. In short Gent'n. you seem
of late to try to put me out of Temper & express so very little satis
faction in my conduct, that I am almost tired. No man can have
a higher opinion of you than myself; nor has anyone strove more
to promote your Interests here than myself. I cannot live in con
stant Disputes. I will live as agreeable & easy as I can & unless I
can carry on Business without being Involved in so many perplexi
ties as of late, I will either leave it off or carry it on in another
manner. But I hope you will redress me.
He follows by saying, " send me no more unless you
can give me one year's credit, as I have to give the
same here." In the same pouch he sends an order
for goods for William Palfrey, whom he is aiding to
start in business. With other things for himself he
orders : —
ABSORBING CARES 137
i Box very best Tobacco pipes that can be purchased in London
for use of Gent'n. in my own family. This article has been repeat
edly wrote for, but not so lucky as to engage your attention.
Who cannot fancy an evening at the Hancock man
sion, when the merchant entertains his relatives and
such guests as James Otis, Samuel Adams, John Adams,
John Rowe, William Phillips, Joshua Henshaw, and
other notables of that day, who gather with the proud
owner about the grate of flaming coals. If dress had
been considered, Samuel Adams would not have been
admitted ; for his snuff-brown coat, glistening with the
effects of long service, was in striking contrast to the
scarlet velvet and elaborate embroidery of his enter
tainer. But the republican simplicity of the man made
him a welcome guest among all genuine patriots. Cir
cumstances had brought Hancock and Adams together
much of late. They had served on various committees
chosen to prepare letters and resolutions of importance.
If Adams wrote the letters, Hancock furnished the
quills. What one lacked the other supplied, making a
most effective combination. In addition to the pipes,
Mr. Hancock ordered at the same time " 4 Doz. very
best India Handkers, for my own use. 2 Doz. of them
blue ground & 2 chocolate ground, pray let them be
very best." On Dec. 15, 1776, he writes to introduce
William Breck, who is just entering into business. Han
cock writes : —
He served his time with Mr. Timo. Newell ; from the knowledge
I have of the Simplicity & Integrity of this young man, I could not
help recommending him to you for what few goods he may want.
I shall have an eye over him myself.
On Jan. 12, 1767, he writes hastily to " Wm. Reeves,
Esq.," as follows : —
138 JOHN HANCOCK, If IS BOOK
I shall start Scott as quick as possible. No man can or shall
give greater Despatch to ships than myself, neither shall any man
here Transact any Business on better terms than I will & any com
mand you may have for, you may rely on the utmost Fidelity, Dis
patch & Punctuality.
His later explanation of a delay is that the harbor
has been frozen up, and he could not get Scott away.
He at same time sends to his agents for-
A neat silver watch of about 8 Guineas ; 2 yds of Green Vel
vet of a deep lively green at abt. 10 per yard; 4 yds green silk,
being for a cushion for a church Desk.
Mr. Hancock's book shows that he shipped to Lon
don in six months oil to the amount of .£16,307 Ss. On
April 22, 1767, he writes to Harrisons, Barnards, &
Co.:-
Please to send me a bell for a church of the best kind, about
300 Ibs.
This was probably a gift to the church at Jamaica
Plain, where he had a summer home. In May, 1767,
he complains bitterly of the condition of business.
I shall stop importing goods for some time, they have been
sold so low that nothing can be got by the business.
On July 29, 1767, he orders —
100 weight best moulded tallow candles, 200 weight best dipt,
tallow candles, all for my own use & don't fail sending them.
He adds, in vindication of former transactions : —
I a little wonder at what you mention respect'g the affair of
Mr Arthur Savage. I cannot give a better answer to it than by
Begging you to refer to my two Letters of Nov-r 17, 1764, by which
you will see I advis'd you not to credit him, rather than anything
encouraging, & the Sincere Dictates of my conscience are that I am
SCARCITY Ol' MOXEY 139
no more accountable than the most indifferent person, that as you
have rec'd from him the ^300 I limited his Credit to, it is of course,
cancell'd.
He further adds: -
The scituation of our trade & the scarcity of money is such that
I have almost come to a Resolution to suspend the Importation of
Goods for a year or two, till matters take a Better turn, & then shall
have time to close all my accts. Then I shall know whether I can
realize anything or not, for times are very precarious. You ship
goods to any & everybody, send for sales here the articles we import,
and employ persons to purchase up here our Exporting commodi
ties that I know not how we shall make remittances for our goods
already imported. That I don't think is right, for besides raising
the prices it must put us in Difficulty in remitting & you must wait
with patience.
WThat merchant has not passed through such seasons
of depression, and does not have in his bosom a fellow-
feeling for John Hancock in his fits of despondency of
more than a century ago? What wonder that he closes
his letter to Harrisons & Barnards thus : -
I am now very much engaged, £ having been lately in a bad
state of Health & am not able to add much more at present ; don't
forget the candles.
Mr. Hancock was much absorbed in the business of
the General Court, where he ably served as chairman
of committees, maturing measures of the House. He
became more and more positive in his policy of resist
ance, as the conflict between the governor and the
House became more vehement. In fact, he used much
time for the public good which might well have been
spent in conducting his own business.
On Aug. 25 and 26 he writes to agents, pleading the
multiplicity of business as an apology for neglect of
remittance.
140 JOHN- HANCOCK, II IS BOOK
To Harrison, Barnard, & Sprag he says : —
The great and unreasonable Extent of your connections here
and the Many and frequent Credits you give, wth the Decline of our
Trade has brought me to a Resolution of stopp'g, at least for a few
years the Importation of English goods, & seeing all my accou
closed, among which yours is the greatest, for if I can meet with
no more Indulgence in the Course of my Business with you than
the man who perhaps does not import more than ^1000 a year, &
the advantage of his Business to you accrues only on your Exports
of goods, whereas mine the year throughout is not only outward
but more on the importation from me. I say if I can be only on
a footing, it is time for me to close, & establish my Concern on a
more equitable basis, wch I think is but Reasonable.
His consignments of whale-oil have not been giving
satisfaction in London and other markets, and there has
come to him a polite suggestion that there be sent over
from London a man to inspect the oil, etc., before it is
shipped. This does not meet with a very pleasant re
ception on the part of Hancock, who in a reply of Sept.
2, 1767, to his London agents, says: —
I note particularly what you say at waiting my answer to a pro
posal you have made, by the instigation of Messrs. Moor & Smith,
to send me over a man to inspect Oyl that I may purchase. What
you mean, Gentln., I am at a loss to know. When I am in want of
a Guardian our laws will appoint one. Really I know not what you
think. I am a Judge for myself, & if you do not think me a Judge
for you, I pray you would not employ me, for I will never submit to
have a man sent over to inspect my business, to make me the ridi
cule of the merchts., neither do I Choose that the Oyle I send home
should be put into the hands of those Gent" on the terms you have
contracted with them.
On Sept. 3 Hancock writes a letter which shows his
power of resentment to its fullest extent : —
MR. WM. JONES : —
Your treatment of me has been such as to render you unworthy
of my notice, even by my letters. But I shall not take up my time
POWER OF KESENTMENT 141
to inveigh against you. Shall only say that you have deviated from
as solemn engagement as words could form. My Reliance upon
your honor has been the means of my losing at least ^500 stg.
Your taking the advantage of me, because our agreement was not
committed to writing, as we were upon honor, I must tell you is
beneath the character of a gentleman £ what no man would have
been guilty of that had the best notions of honor. I forbear men
tioning the circumstance of the affair, as it is very disagreeable to
me. I greatly reflect upon myself that I should submit to your Re
peated solicitations to form a connection. It was contrary to the
advice of my friends who knew you
better than I did. The goods you
consigned me on your return to Bris
tol you may order out of my hands
when you please, for you can't ex
pect that I should be accountable
when you have broke the terms on
which they were sent. I now utterly HANCOCK SUN-DIAL.
forbid you ever to ship me a single (Lexington Library.)
article again & desire you will never
more solicit me on that head. I Despise you for your conduct
towards me & desire no connection with you. You have greatly
deceived me, but it shall be the last time. As soon as the ship
is sold & her accts. settled & I know what I loose by her I shall
then take advice as to Recovering it of you.
I am for form sake, Your Humble Servt.
A letter to William Reeves explains the unsettled
condition of trade at this time : —
It is surprising to me that so many attempts are made on yr.
side to cramp our Trade. New Duties every day, increasing, in
short we are in a fair way of being Ruined, We have nothing to
do but unite & come under a solemn agreement to stop importing
any goods from England, at least for a year. This, I am deter
mined to promote, all in my power, & as to myself, I am resolved,
till I see affairs on a better footing not to import any kind of goods
from England & will effect it with others, as far as my influence will
prevail. The articles of Glass, etc., I find has a new duty fixed
upon it. I will sooner shut up my windows or undergo many in
conveniences before I will Import a single Box.
142 JOHN HANCOCK, JUS BOOK
Hancock writes to his London agents, advising them
to employ, as their attorney here, James Otis, who, he
says, since the death of Mr. Gridley, is the first of the
profession. He offers to receive and remit any moneys
that Otis may collect for him. In the same letters he
again strongly objects to the suggestion to send over
an inspector of oil, and concludes his long letter thus : —
You never make any mention to me of public matters. Your
hints on that .subject would be very agreeable. Could you be
brought to Realize that the salvation of Great Britain & America
are connected, I am sure you would not be so silent. I observe
what you say of Marshall. 1 think he ought to wait, or any other
vessel, for freight. We had much better dispose of our vessels than
sink so much money. She had better bring stones than coals. I
pray you would not send any more, they are cheaper here than in
London.
The indignation of Hancock seen in previous letters
was aroused through his interest in the welfare of his
country, while the following letter shows the same spirit
aroused through alleged personal injury. It marks the
beginning of the end of a long and extensive business
correspondence between the Hancock firm and that of
Barnard & Harrison.
I received your Letter of I5th July which I heartily wish had got
here in a tolerable passage, as if it had Gent'n. suffer me to tell you,
it would from the Contents have much altered my plan of Business
this Fall ; such a Letter I despise, & is what no man who had any
knowledge of me would have dar'd to address to me. for God's sake
Gent'n. what can be your intentions, if your aim is to injure my
reputation you will fail in your attempt, neither is it in your or any
man's power to hurt my Credit in this part of the world, but it ap
pears to me you are injuring yourselves. I mean as to connections
in Business & tho1 by experience I find I have no influence with you,
let me tell you, I am one of no small influence here, & am greatly
offended at the liberties you take with me in your Letters £ is what
rOWER OF RESENTMENT 143
I should have disdained to have wrote a man of much less Conse
quence than myself.
You can be at no loss to determine what particular passages in
your Letter I refer to, but will in the first place mention your Letter
to Mr. Palfrey upon the same subject with the Paragraph in yours
respecting that Genfn. You say you received his letter & pay a
propper Respect to him & my recommendation, but as you are de
termined to retrench your trade, you must beg to be excused, send
ing his goods. In your letter to me you say, " We have wrote Mr
Palfrey by this opportunity acquainting him that we must decline his
orders, we have the highest opinion of your good intention towards
us, & you will we doubt not excuse us.1'
How Repugnant is your conduct to your expression in your Let
ters to say you have the highest opinion of my good intentions &
to act so contrary, nay openly & in Effect, to say that I am not of
Reputation & Credit enough to answer for the Goods. You say you
want to retrench your Trade. Why Gent'n. am I the first object of
your Trial? I should not have expected this from those with whom
the whole extent of my Business, centrs, that I should be one of the
first to be Refused Goods is truly very astonishing to me, that an
Invoice sent home to you for a few goods to stock my own shop
under the direction of Mr. Palfrey should be refused is as high an
affront as I can receive & what I shall not very readily put up with.
I look'd upon my recommendation & Credit to be of some weight
with you, but I find it otherwise, if 500 shop keepers were recom
mended by some they would be instantly supplied & if I can't be on
at least the same footing with them it is time to withdraw my con
nections in Business & retire. I could have wished you had not
ship'd my Goods. You might with equal propriety have refus'd in
this instance as well as the other, & your conduct towards me
Gent'n. is unaccountable. I am really much troubled & look upon
myself extremely ill used. I can not see how you can reconcile it.
Another instance of your extraordinary conduct is In the refusal
of the Goods to Mess. Cazneaus who I strongly recommended to
you with this additional agravation that They sent you my bill of
^200, in part pay for the goods, is not this conduct a very great
slight upon me & paying a very little Credit to my Recommenda
tion or my Bill. It is in effect protesting my Bill. I am amazed &
it wholly divests me of all manner of patience. I am now to desire
you will please to order my whole accott. to be got out & sent me
& if after examination they appear to be right, I will instantly order
144 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
you the full balance, with as many thanks for your many services
hitherto.
But I must add Genf n. from the treatment I have had that un
less matters can be better Reconciled I must wave my Connections.
I stand ready at an hours warning to pay every debt I owe in the
world but as I can't be thought by you to be Responsible for ^500
I must apply to those who have a better opinion of me than you
have.
I always chuse Gentn. to be open and explicit. I have wrote
Mr. Haley by this opportunity on the subject of connection in Busi
ness, & proposed opening a Correspondence with him at least till I
can have an explanation from you. I look on myself a man of Cap
ital & am not to be put on a footing with every two penny Shop
keeper that addresses You. I am greatly amaz'd at your conduct.
I think I am very poorly treated, & I suppose the only instance in
town. I doubt not when Scott arrives he will bring Goods for
every Shop Keeper that deals with you, & to refuse me Goods
Gentn. is what I can't bear. I am ready to pay you every farthing
I owe you. You have effected me in the tenderest point.
I have determined to sending Invoice to Mr. Haley for a spring
supply, £ let me tell you you are oblig'd to me for some of your
best Correspondents, who would naturally be induced to deal with
the man I engage with, & will follow me, and although my business
is not worth your attention, Yet it may be an object of the accept
ance of many a man in England, with thanks besides, & I believe
Mr. Haley will think so.
Mr. Cazneau, whom you disappointed in his Goods, is going to
England, to whom I shall give a more extensive credit than I did
before, & dare say Mr. Haley will readily accept his Commission,
as to Mr. Palfrey's goods, I shall write for them myself to Mr.
Haley, & am in no doubt he will readily oblige me in sending them.
I have many more things to say but time fails me as I keep this
vessell wholly for my Letters, all my Friends & Connections are
amaz'd at your Conduct, but I suspend adding till next opp'y, till
when I am Gentn
Your humble Servant.
SCATTERS GUINEAS AMONG HIS TENANTS 145
Mr. William Palfrey, whose order was refused by the
London merchants, seems to have been a friend, and at
times confidential clerk, of Hancock's. Cazneau was a
merchant of standing in Boston at the same time. Pal
frey and Cazneau were both losers by the great fire of
1760, the same fire by which many of Hancock's tene
ments were destroyed. When the homeless tenants
gathered around their landlord, and expressed sympathy
at his loss, he remarked that they were the greatest suf
ferers, and passed about a quantity of guineas among
them.
Having closed his letters to Harrison, Barnard, &
Sprag, the indignant merchant writes to George Haley,
Esq., under the same date, Oct. 16, 1767 : —
SIR : I imagine you are no stranger to me or my connections.
If you recollect you may remember seeing me in England in the year
1760, when I had the pleasure of being at your house. Tho. I have
no greater intimacy, I take the Liberty to address you on the sub
ject of Business, which, as you well know my former connections,
may perhaps be a little surprising to you, but I will be as explicit
as the time will admit, this vessel being kept solely for my letters,
partly to oblige me. My late uncle Thomas Hancock for many
years dealt with the house of Kilby & Barnard, & I in partnership
with him, after my return from London dealt with the House of Bar
nard & Harrison, & by myself since the decease of my late uncle,
till now have dealt with the same house, to a very large extent. But
by Capt. Daverson, who arrived yesterday, I Received letters from
them which have given me much disgust & I have come to a Reso
lution to alter my connections, the first person that occurred to my
mind was you, Sir ; upon which I conversed with Mr. Thomas Gray
on the subject, who seemed of opinion you would with pleasure un
dertake my concerns, & who I believe will write you on the same
146 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
subject. In Confidence — Sir, that such a connection would be
agreeable to you, I now address you tendering you the conducting
of all my affairs that lay in your way, at same time acquainting you
that I expect to be on a footing even with the very best of your cor
respondents, & as I am largely concerned in navigation you will
have Spring & Fall from me, many consignments. I have now large
parcels of Oyle, whale fins & Potashes to ship waiting the arrival of
Scott, Marshall & Smith from your place, whom I shall despatch,
loaded to your address, not doubting but you will concern yourself
for my interest as you do for others.
Marshall & Scott are partly owned by the House of Harrison,
Barnard & Sprag. Those vessels on their arrival back to you, I
shall order to be sold £ shall desire you to purchase for me, of
which more hereafter. I have a new Brig which I expect in every
hour, whose loading is already in store on my wharf, say Oyle, Pott-
ashes &c., which I shall despatch to your address, the vessel to be
sold. I have not time to be as explicit as I could wish, but will by
next.
My character £ situation in Life, you may be acquainted with
from any person from this part of the world, from Harrison & Co.,
from Mr. Trecothick, Mr. Lane & many others, but really I address
you Sir, as a man on whom you may depend, & a man of capital &
in whom I have the vanity to say, you may confide.
The vessel by whom this goes, I have loaded with Oyle &c., to
the address of Harrison & Co. My letters were all finished & deliv
ered before Daverson arrived, otherwise I should have consigned
this to you. I have wrote Messrs. H. & Co. very explicitly by this
opprty, as I have kept the vessel on purpose. In consequence of
this consignment I have drawn Bills on them perhaps to the amt of
,£3000 stg. Should they from my openness in addressing them be
induced to protest my Bills by way of Resentment, which I have
no suspicion of, I must take the liberty to ask the favor of you to
take them up for my honor, £ will immediately on notice order you
the amount with any satisfaction for such. . . . By next opportu
nity I shall write you more explicitly & shall forward you my Invoice
for a spring supply of goods, which from the General decline of
Trade will be smaller than usual, but hope hereafter things will take
a more favorable turn. I shall be glad of a letter from you as soon
as possible & should be glad to know something of your connections,
& whether you cannot give my vessels a freight Spring £ Fall. I
dou^t not but you will help me all you can. Your determination on
CHANGE IN LONDON AGENTS 147
these points, as soon as may will be agreeable. I ask pardon for
the Liberty I have taken & in confidence it shall be to mutual
advantage. I am with Esteem
Sir-
Your most obedt. humble servt.
GEORGE HALEY ESQR.
The disadvantage of being obliged to wait many
weeks for the reply of acceptance from Mr. Haley did
not prevent Mr. Hancock from sending goods, assuming
that his proposition would be accepted by Haley. Han
cock sends several cargoes before he is fully assured
that he has a new agency established in London.
Mr. Hancock makes frequent complaints of his ill
health, and says on October 30 : —
I have the misfortune to be confined to my Room by Indisposi
tion, but am in hopes soon to recover.
Nov. 2, 1767, he addresses his former agents at Lon
don with bitter complaints of their treatment, and
says : —
I will never again have it said that anyone is connected with
me in shipping.
On Nov. 6 he sends to Haley a cargo, with orders to
have the vessel proceed with coal for ballast to Madeira.
He orders at the same time, —
Two pieces of the very best English Damask, exactly of color
of enclosed pattern, which is only to show the color. As they are
for my mother and family, I beg they may be good.
This is the only intimation of the mother of John
Hancock afforded by the letter-book. But we have no
reason to think that the boy's affections were all centred
in those who had opened their luxuriant home to the
youth. The widow of Rev. John Hancock of Braintree
had long before this date become the wife of Rev. Daniel
148
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Perkins of Bridgewater.1 In fact, John addressed his
stepfather when he was in England under date of March
2, 1761. He said : —
I shall with satisfaction bid adieu to this grand place with all
its pleasurable enjoyments and tempting scenes, for more substan
tial pleasure which I promise myself in the enjoyment of my friends
in America.
There was a twofold interest in the Perkins family.
A son of the Bridgewater minister mar-
m^^ I ried Mary, sister of John Hancock ; and
their posterity are found interested in
subsequent history of the Hancock fam-
1
iB^
HANCOCK DOOR
KNOCKER.
(Old State House
Collection )
On Nov. 2 the Brig Lydia, James
Scott, master, sailed with a cargo, con
signed to Mr. George Haley. A letter
of the same date concludes with the fol
lowing : —
I have sent you by Capt. Scott, — A Coop with
It, at first contained six pair, some have died,
some wood Ducks.
but hope some will get safe to you.
i Quintal dun Table Fish,
i Cag of Pickled Peppers.
of which I beg your acceptance, if there be anything in this part of
the world that would be agreeable to you do let me know it & I will
gladly send it you. I am with Esteem Sir,
Your most hble Servant.
GEORGE HALEY ESQ.
In the same vessel he sends directions to his former
agents to have the brig in which they have joint inter
ests sold, and says : —
1 Mrs. John Hancock, mother of the patriot, was Mary Hawks, and
thrice married, first to Mr. Samuel Thaxter of Hingham.
ORDER WINE FROM MADEIRA 149
I am determined to deal for Cash only and to keep one vessel
running just to bring my own Goods, I should be glad to hear from
you & know the reason why I am so freely and extraordinarily dealt
with. I have gent, the highest friendship for you, but I can't bear
to be so treated. I am above using others so, & dont expect it my
self. I however hope to come to some amicable accommodation,
but my navigation I am determined to dispose of, & now particu
larly say, that hereafter if I should live I will never be concerned
with any one man again in Navigation, for I can afford to own myself
& will never after this have it said that any one is connected with me
in shipping. I will accept in the case of the Thames Capt Watt.
I am content to hold my part of her if agreeable to you — if not
agreeable to you, I am content to sell my ^ of her to you.
I am now so hurried cant add and but will write you largely soon,
& am
Your real friend.
HARRISON, BARNARD & SPRAG.
On Nov. 12, 1767, he sends to Madeira for —
Four pipes of the very best Madeira Wine that you can possibly
procure for my own table. I don't stand for price, If it be good, I
like a Rich wine. & if you can ship a Pipe of Right Sterling old Ma
deira, Pale & Good, you will add it. I like pale wine, but I need
say no more than that they are for my own use, & I beg they may be
the very best that can be purchased. Mark them I * H. I pray
distinguish them from any other on board, by some private mark,
acquainting me thereof in your letter. I am also to desire you will
please to ship me by the same vessel six pipes of good salable Ma
deira wine for our market. I would have them good & such as will
answer for our Public houses here, where the best company resorts,
these you will mark HK, and do let them be good, of their kind. I
would not have them of too Inferior quality, for the cost of these
wines you will please to draw Bill for my acct. on George Haley
Esq. Mercht in London at thirty days sight, to whom I have wrote
to pay due honor to such, Your Bill.
You will also ship by my sloop Two pipes more of the best Ma
deira, consigned to me, in separate Memo. & Bill of Invoice Mark
them to H. G. T. They are for the Treasurer of our Province &
you will please to let them be good, & draw for their cost with the
other.
If you or your friends have any wine or freight to ship this way,
150 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
I should be oblig'd to you to give my vessell the preference. She
is really a good strong vessel well found and a good master.
I shall be much obliged to you to dispatch my sloop with the
wines as soon as you possibly can, as I shall not only want the
wines but the sloop, and you will please to receive this as a stand
ing order to ship me an annual pipe of the very best Maderia wine
until counter manded drawing for its cost on Mr. Haley. You will
please to give the master of my sloop any service or assistance, Re
specting his vessell he may stand in need of. I am with much
respect, Gent.
Your most obedt. servt.
MESS. HILL, LAMAR & BISSETT.
Six days later he adds a letter in which he says : —
I have not to add, but to desire that the wine, I have wrote for
my own use may be of the very best and that those for sale may be
good palatable wines. Please send me one bushel of your walnuts,
and draw for the cost with the wine.
Nov. 21, 1767, is the date of a letter to George
Haley, in which Mr. Hancock says : —
I am to Desire the favr. you will please to order to be made &
sent me, as neat a Mahogany Cabinet as can be made in London,
suitable for a Lady's chamber, rather convenient than Remarkable
for any outward Decorations. I would have it very neat & Respect
able as it is for my Aunt, widow of my late Uncle, with whom I
now Reside, £ a Lady for whom I have the highest affection &
Esteem.
Under date of Dec. 15, 1767, Hancock writes to
George Haley thus : —
I am sorry to say that I think too great encouragement is given
by your Gentn Merchts to persons here of no capital. I am quite
confident finally you must be great loosers. One gentn who has
lately had an extensive credit from you has been a great hurt to
trade here. Such credits, not only hurt your best friends here, but
finally yourselves. I just hint this. You know who I mean, I be
lieve Mr. Thomas Gray has lately been especial with you, on this
subject, that I need say no more, only that if such persons are put
NON-IMPOR TA TION RESOL UTION I 5 I
on a footing with men of Capital, it is not worth my while to be
concerned in trade. You will please to excuse my mentioning this
much.
He sends in some orders as follows : —
100 squares of best London glass 18 by ni for the use of my
own House wcl), I pray may be the very best.
It is apparent by Mr. Hancock's letters, as well as
by the proceedings of the Boston town-meetings, that
the restraint which the people had voluntarily imposed
upon themselves in regard to superfluities was thrown
off after the repeal of the Stamp Act. They evidently
thought that all things were to be as they were before
the beginning of Stamp-act agitation. But they soon
saw their mistake. In the town-meeting of Dec. 22,
1767, the question was freely discussed, and instructions
were given their representatives in General Court. " It
is with concern," say the committee, "we are obliged
to say, that under all this difficulty our private debts to
the British merchants have been increasing ; and our
importations even of superfluities, as well as other arti
cles, have been so much beyond the bounds of prudence,
that our utmost efforts, it is to be feared, will not save
us from impending ruin. We warmly recommend to
you, gentlemen, to exert yourselves in promoting every
prudent measure which may be proposed to put a stop
to that profusion of luxury, so threatening to the coun
try, to encourage a spirit of industry and frugality
among the people, and to establish manufactures in the
Province." The instructions also urged upon the atten
tion of the representatives the necessity of restraining
the excessive use and consumption of spirituous liquors
among the people, as destructive to the morals as well
as the health and substance of the people.
152 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
John Hancock was one of the town's representatives
to receive and apply these instructions. It is at this
point that he has been charged with inconsistency.
But we must bear in mind that several months elapsed
between ordering wines from Madeira for his own table
and the arrival of the ship which brought the goods,
and during this time the people have reached the con
clusion above stated. Again, it should be remembered
that John Hancock was the most wealthy man in the
Province ; and then, as now, what was regarded as
great deprivation on the part of the wealthy was rated
as luxury by those who were in more limited circum
stances.
John Hancock had everything to lose and nothing to
gain. During all these years of agitation, political
honors could not have tempted him ; for there was no
prospect of anything more for him at the hands of his
friends than he was freely enjoying. On the contrary,
some of his associate agitators had everything to gain,
and nothing to lose.
UNANIMOUS ELECTION TO GENERAL COURT I $3
CHAPTER XV
UNANIMOUS ELECTION TO THE GENERAL COURT. HANCOCK
AND HALEY EXCHANGE PRESENTS. TOWN-MEETING AD
JOURNED TO SOUTH MEETING HOUSE. TROOPS ARRIVE IN
BOSTON TO COMPEL SUBMISSION. HANCOCK DENIES A
BOLD ACCUSATION. NEW AGREEMENTS IN REGARD TO
TRADE. GENERAL COURT REMOVED TO CAMBRIDGE. HAN
COCK VINDICATES HIMSELF.
THE year 1768 opens with but very slight prospects
of revival of trade, and Hancock is greatly annoyed. He
is too much engaged in public affairs to allow his private
business to depress him. With others, he takes every
step possible to suppress any movements tending to de
prive the people of their just privileges. When deposi
tions, ordered by the governor in regard to a search for
smuggled goods, were taken, to be sent to England, with
out any record of them being made at home, Mr. Han
cock and others called a town-meeting, and had the
matter investigated. His services as one of the town's
representatives in the General Court had been so satis
factory that in the spring of 1767 he was re-elected.
This time he received the entire vote, 618, while Samuel
Adams received 574, Hon. Thomas dishing had 557, and
Hon. James Otis 575. The four constituted a strong
force in favor of the colonies.
Hancock's letter of April 13, 1768, expresses the
sentiment of the merchants at that time.
It is to William Reeves, Mercht., Bristol : —
154 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Our trade is under such Embarrassments & Impositions that we
have come to a Resolution not to Import any more goods for some
time unless we are Relieved & these Acts Repealed. We must in
evitably be ruined. Our trade is not worth a man's pursuit ; pray
appear for us, for sure I am, can our trade be free & we at liberty
to prosecute our Business as heretofore, it will redound much to the
advantage of Great Britain, for my own part it is not worth my at
tentions to procure trade at present £ if not altered I must decline it.
This renewed resolution to suspend importation was
occasioned by the passage of the Revenue Acts of 1 767.
These required new movements on the part of the pa
triots. The popular leaders, among whom John Hancock
was prominent, profiting by past experiences, strove to
prevent excesses, and labored to advance their cause
through the growth of an intelligent public opinion.
They were vigilant and active in preventing overt acts
when the newly created Board of Commissioners of Cus
toms appeared in Boston.
They had no sympathy with mobs and riots, but acted
not only in a spirit of fidelity to liberty, but also endeav
ored to promote law and order. Their movements were
indorsed throughout the colonies, whence came in this
extremity the message : —
" The liberties of a common country are again in dan
ger, kindle the sacred flame that shall warm and illu
minate the continent."
It was because of the part taken by the patriot leaders
that Boston was said by the Loyalists to be under the
rule of a trained mob, of which James Otis and Samuel
Adams were the two consuls, Joseph Warren one of
the chiefs, and John Hancock, having great wealth and
social and commercial influence, which he brought to
bear upon their desired ends.
A century's changes cannot blind us to the fact that
HANCOCK AND HALEY EXCHANGE PRESENTS 155
there was not unanimity among the patriots, as to the
best manner of procedure in opposing the Revenue Acts ;
but we must infer that these men in private council
made plans that controlled the clubs, and that they had
to do with government, they controlled the town-meet
ings ; and the town-meetings controlled the legislature,
and these controlled the Province.
Thus John Hancock's declaration to abandon trade
worked itself out to a practical conclusion.
In the same letter to William Reeves, he notes the
arrival of a " Peacock & Hen & two hampers of Beer,"
gifts from Mr. Haley. He later adds that " the Damask
& Cabinet have arrived." These gifts and purchases
added materially to the good appearance and comfort
of the Hancock home on Beacon Hill. In the same
freight he sends by Captain Scott to Mr. Haley " a view
of this town of Boston taken from our Castle, of which
I beg your acceptance if agreeable to you."
His aunt's watch failed to keep good time ; and he
sends it by Captain Scott to England, to be cleaned and
regulated. On April 16, 1768, Hancock directs Haley
to honor a draft in favor of Nicholas Bowes of ^200,
and one of .£175. This Bowes is another of the cousins
from Bedford, who seems to be having kind attentions
from the merchant. On May 18 he sends to Haley for
"a right good bell of seven hundred weight for a church,
& pray let it be one of the best sort. Its cost charge
to my acct." It seems that Hancock is doing all in his
power to have the towns well equipped with bells to
swell the sounds of joy for liberty, already in the air.
The merchant, not to be outdone in complimentary gifts,
sent to Mr. Haley, in May, a huge turtle as a specimen
of the animal production of the Province. A dressing-
156 JOHN HANCOCK, IUS BOOK
table soon follows from the London agent. Of this
Hancock notes, " It is very neat, and you have my
warmest thanks for it."
Hancock, who is still one of the selectmen, has
enough to occupy him in the discharge of ordinary pub
lic duties ; but a new trouble arises. The frigate Rom-
ney, of fifty guns, arrived from Halifax. The merchants
believed it was there to enforce revenue laws. While
this was agitating the minds of the people, Hancock's
ship Liberty arrived, with a cargo of wine from Madeira,
including the order of seven months ago for that extra
quality for the Hancock house, and also a subsequent
order. When lying at Hancock's wharf, on June 10,
the tide-waiter, Thomas Kirk, went on board, and was
followed by Captain James Marshall, who sailed for
Hancock, with other of the friends and employees of the
house. They confined Kirk below, until the wine was
taken out, and no entry made of it at the custom-house
or naval office. An entry was made the next morning,
but was not credited by the officials, and it was resolved
to seize the sloop. This was done amid much excite
ment, and she was removed to within range of the guns
of the Romney. A mob assembled, and there was much
destruction of property. The collector's boat was
dragged to the Common and burned. But the saddest
of all was the death of Captain Marshall, occasioned, no
doubt, by the excitement of the seizure.
This was extremely .trying to Hancock. The prop
erty was for him and the treasurer, and this trouble had
seemed to be in their interest. Whether they ever en
joyed that wine which they had anticipated for months
his letters do not tell, and the legal proceedings did not
reveal the secret. It may have gone to excite the brains
A TOWN-MEETING CALLED
157
v ' -•
of the angry mob, or been poured into the harbor.
Hutchinson, an avowed enemy to Hancock, wrote that
it was carted off in the night.
The selectmen called a town-meeting at once, and on
June 14 there was such a crowd at Faneuil Hall that
the meeting adjourned
to the South Meeting i
House. A committee
of twenty-one was
chosen to wait on his
excellency to request
him to order the re
moval of the Romney.
A sub-committee of
three, one being John
Hancock, went to see
when the governor
would be ready to hear
them ; but, being at
his country-seat, the meeting adjourned to give the
committee time. They made the journey to Jamaica
Plain in eleven chaises, and were politely received.
The General Court, of which Hancock was a repre
sentative, was then in session ; but it could conduct no
business to the satisfaction of the governor, Francis Ber
nard. He ordered the recalling of circular notices issued
by the General Court of the previous year, providing for
a convention of delegates to consider what should be
done for the safety of the colonies. The people had
taken the government into their own hands, and he pro
rogued the court. It was while in this state of excite
ment that John Hancock retired to his office, and wrote
to " George Haley, Esq." : —
THE PROVINCE HOUSE.
158 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Under the present Burthen on trade no goods will be imported,
for people here are determined to be more frugal. I am heartily
sorry for the appearance of things, we have been grossly mis-rep
resented. I wish matters were properly understood on your side &
a candid attention given to them. I am sure this people would
stand in a quite different light for I may say that we are as loyal as
any in the King's Domain. We have now two Regiments, part of
a third & a train of Artillery in this town ordered here, it is said, in
consequence of advice reed, in England from hence, that there was
a necessity for them. Such Representation must be made by those
who are inimical to us & wish to see us in confusion. The Report
of the Troops coming here alarmed the people much & more espe
cially as we were patiently waiting & in hopes of soon finding the
good effects of our petition to his majesty, but unused as we are to
troops & notwithstanding the apprehensions of people & such a
number of troops in this Town, the people are quiet and peacea
ble and net the least Disturbance has taken place.
It is a great grief to this people that they are Deprived of the
Benefits of a General Assembly, more especially at this time, when
there is need of the wisdom of the whole Province to conduct our
Public affairs. Under these circumstances a large number of towns
appointed severally their committees to meet £ consult & advise to
the most prudent measures that might be taken at this time of Gen
eral Distress & accordingly they met & after many consultations &
advisings to that which they judged would most promote the good
of the whole, they Retired. A state of the whole is laid before the
Public & I am confident the Convention of these Committees had a
happy Effect, to quiet the minds of the people, but notwithstanding
the good intentions of these Committees I dare say they will be
much misrepresented. All I can say is that everything here has
been conducted with the greatest order, on the part of the people,
and I can't but hope that when things are really Known in England,
we shall be relieved. I pray & I doubt not of Your Influence for
us, and I wish soon to hear some good acct. from England. I
begin now to look for Capt. White, but under the present circum
stances our navigation & Trade must fail. The people are deter
mined to stop Importing English goods, for really trade is so
embarrassed & our Burthens so great that it is not worth a man's
pursuit. I know not what to do with the Lydia, but that she return
to Boston, in which case you will please to let her be Balasted with
coals. I hope Capt. Folger is with you by this. If things do not
TROOPS SENT FOR I 59
soon take a more favorable Turn I am determined to Contract my
Business £ sell my Navigation for I cannot carry on Business under
the present circumstances of trade.
The convention referred to by Hancock was held in
Faneuil Hall on Sept. 22, called by a committee acting
for the town of Boston, of which John Hancock was one.
The governor warned and threatened them, but they
continued in session until the 29th.
The troops referred to by Hancock in the above let
ters were ordered to Boston at an interesting period of
the American struggle. The movement against the
Stamp Act, commendable as it was in the main, had
phases that were much regretted by the patriots.
Hancock, we have seen in his correspondence, posi
tively declared himself against them, and against all
riots, which, though common in England, were in vio
lation of that reverence for law thoroughly ingrained in
the American character.
Though Governor Bernard had long regarded a mili
tary force necessary to sustain the new measures, he
did not make a requisition for it. He expected the
Government would send troops to Boston in the time
of the Stamp Act, and anticipated trouble on their
arrival. But no troops were ordered to the port at that
time.
But at length the positive acts of the patriots sup
plied zealous Loyalists with ample material to pervert
into fresh arguments for the necessity of troops to keep
the people in order. It was promptly seized upon. The
commissioners described the Boston affairs as the open
ing of a rebellion that had begun its course over the
continent. They not only sent to England, but to Gen
eral Gage, then commander-in-chief, whose head-quar-
l6o JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
ters were at New York, requesting troops, and to
Commodore Hood at Halifax, asking for more ships.
General Gage was surprised at not receiving a re
quest from the governor, but at once tendered Gover
nor Bernard, at Boston, all the forces that he might
need to preserve the public peace. But the governor
said he did not want troops to quell a riot, but regarded
them essential to the good of his country. He there
showed the folly of trying to serve two masters.
The ships were sent by Commodore Hood, and moored
near Castle William ; but the governor was disappointed
when he learned that his movements had only resulted
in putting the troops in readiness to proceed to Boston
on his requisition, which he did not give, but wrote,
" The crisis awaits the arrival of the troops, and I now
learn they are not coming."
He laid the offer of the commanding general before
the Council, when it was seen that the members were
unanimously against having troops sent to the port. In
his despair Governor Bernard wrote to Lord Barrington
that he could " no longer depend upon the Council for
the support of the small remains of royal and parlia
mentary power now left, the whole of which had been
gradually impeached, arraigned, and condemned under
his eye." He also declared that " Boston had been left
under a trained mob from Aug. 14, 1765, to this present
July 23, 1768."
At length the die as to Massachusetts and Boston
had been cast in the British Cabinet. It was decided to
place a military force at the command of the governor ;
and General Gage at New York was notified to place
troops at Castle William, and to station a detachment
in Boston, and to keep a naval force in the harbor.
TROOPS ARRIVE IN BOSTON l6l
The governor claimed to be ignorant of this action,
but did mention to one of the Council that he had a
private notice that troops were ordered to Boston. This
was enough to excite the people, who were at once noti
fied of it, and petitioned Hancock and other selectmen
to call a meeting. It was held on the following Mon
day ; " thus openly and before all men, not covertly like
a body of conspirators, the leading men of Boston pre
pared for the inevitable."
At length two regiments were brought to Boston by
fifteen British men-of-war. It was on Sept. 29 that
they took a well-chosen fighting-position around the
north end of the quiet but glorious town.
The scene in the harbor on that first night was grand ;
and despite the forebodings of evil, many Boston men
put out in their boats from their wharves to get a near
view of the ships, while the many in their homes and
sightly places witnessed the brilliant display of rockets
shot off from the decks.
The landing of the troops was an occasion dreaded
by both parties. But there was no hostile preparation
on the part of the patriots ; and the governor having
retired to Jamaica Plain, there were no cordial executive
greetings prepared. The preparation on the part of
the king's army was of a most decided warlike nature.
Sixteen rounds of powder and ball were served out to the
troops when they entered the boats and made their way
to Long Wharf. Lieutenant-Colonel Dalrymple, the com
mander of the land force, had privately made a visit to
the town, and learned that the situation was different
from what he had expected. The Fourteenth Regiment,
under the colonel, landed, and having formed, marched,
with drums beating, fifes playing, and colors flying, up
1 62 JOHN HANCOCK', HIS BOOK
King Street (now State Street), to the Town House,
where it halted until joined by the Twenty-ninth, when
they marched to the Common. They were later joined
by the Fifty-ninth Regiment and a train of artillery
with two field-pieces.
It is difficult to imagine the feelings of the people
when these troops were landed. It is no wonder they
were received as unwelcome intruders, and the selectmen
absolutely refused to grant them quarters. Although
Boston Common was a cow-pasture, the people resented
the use of it for the camp of one of these regiments.
The public indignation was at its height when Faneuil
Hall was taken as quarters for one of the regiments,
and no better feelings were engendered when Governor
Bernard ordered the State House in King Street to be
opened for their reception.
While the town was in this state of excitement, an
attempt was made to injure the reputation of Hancock.
He was on the Board of Selectmen who objected to the
quartering of troops in the public buildings. He was a
representative in the General Court, and in May previ
ous had been chosen a member of His Majesty's Coun
cil, though negatived by Governor Bernard. While thus
enjoying the confidence of the people, he was charged
as endeavoring to secure from General Gage the con
tract to supply these unwelcome troops. Having learned
from the Letter-book that Hancock had in former years
corresponded with Colonel Dalrymple in regard to the
supplies for the garrisons at Nova Scotia, which he was
still supplying, it is not difficult to see how such a report
was put in circulation by the Tory element of the Prov
ince. But Hancock's letter of Nov. 12 settles the mat
ter : —
HANCOCK DENIES A BOLD ACCUSATION 163
MESSRS. EDES & GILL : —
I observe in your last paper a piece signed Veritas, the writer of
which says he had it from good authority, that a letter under my
hand was published in a coffee-house at New York, requesting His
Excellency Gen. Gage that I might supply the troops then expected,
and which have arrived in this town. If such a letter has been pro
duced there, or anywhere else, I declare it to be a forgery ; for I
have never made application to any for the supply of said troops,
nor did I ever desire any person to do it for me. The person who
produced the letter could have no other design but to injure my
reputation, and abuse the gentlemen of New York. I therefore
desire you would give this a place in your next, in which you will
oblige Your humble servant,
JOHN HANCOCK.
BOSTON, Nov. 12, 1768.
Under date of Aug. 24, 1768, Hancock writes a letter
to George Haley in which he says, —
Our trade is so burthened & our difficulties increasing so fast,
that upon a meeting of our mercies it was thought prudent to stop
the Importation of Goods, at least for one year, & this Resolution
was generally adopted, that there will, of course, be no freights in
the Spring, with respect to the Ship, I must refer it to you, if you
could help me with a little freight directly back to Boston, I should
be glad, or if a prospect of any by waiting I would have her kept,
but if you have no prospect of giving her a freight, I think it would
be best to send the Ship back as soon as possible, as she will lay at
a much easier expence here than in London.
Hancock returns one of the compliments of Mr.
Haley by sending " Two wild Geese of which I ask your
acceptance."
On Nov. 1 6 Mr. Hancock writes to Thomas Pow-
nall:-
I have now only time to inclose you my Bill on George Haley
Esq. Mercht in London of this Date, No. 90, for three thousand
pounds sterlg. in part of the monies left by you in the hands of my
late Uncle for which I am accountable to you, & when paid you will
please to credit my acco" there for By Capt. Daverson who will sail
164 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
in a week I shall Transmit! you your whole acco" & send you an
order for the full Ballance of that acco" when you will please to
give up the Receipts my late Uncle gave you for the monies left in
his hands.
My Aunt joins me in best compliments to you & I am with much
esteem Sir, Your most obed{ humb1* serv<-
His EXCELLENCY THOMAS POWNALL ESQ.
Hancock's recorded communications for the winter
are but lamentations of the same nature, — words, per
haps, unconsciously penned from the burden of his own
personal trials, as well as public concerns. The king's
ships were in the bay, and his troops were in possession
of the town ; and the selectmen needed to be on the
alert to protect the interests of the citizens. The town
being considered in control of the army, the detested
commissioners of customs returned, and the Romney
again appeared in the bay. The case of the sloop Lib
erty was brought up, and Hancock was arrested. He
employed John Adams as his counsel. The merchant
had the sympathy of the patriotic people, and was re-
elected as selectman in March, 1769. The legal pro
ceedings against him increased his popularity ; and in
May he was re-elected a representative to the General
Court, receiving the highest number of votes, even two
more than Samuel Adams. On April 13, 1769, Han
cock writes to Haley & Hopkins : —
We are in daily expectation of hearing from London the result
of Petitions on our affairs. 'We have been basely misrepresented
& can't but think they will be convinced of it £ finally matters
settled to the satisfaction of all.
The sincere desire on the part of the merchant doubt
less gave rise to his expressed hopes, which must have
been without any prospects to warrant them. Early in
NEW AGREEMENTS IN REGARD TO TRADE 165
May the town indorsed the proceedings of the merchants
respecting the non-importation agreement, and recom
mended to the inhabitants not to purchase any goods of
persons who had imported in vessels, lately arrived from
Great Britain, not allowed by the agreement. When
we consider that no man in the colony had so much at
stake as Hancock, we almost wonder that his letters do
not give some evidence of his relenting ; but nothing of
the kind appears. He labored assiduously to have Gov
ernor Bernard remove the troops from the town. At
the session of the General Court, convened on the last
Wednesday of May, nothing could be accomplished.
There was a demand upon the Province for funds to
pay for quartering the troops in Boston. The spirit of
Hancock and his associate representatives from Boston
was never more fully aroused.1 To be asked to tax them
selves to pay for an army which had destroyed their
trade was too much. The General Court would not
proceed to business while the troops were in the town ;
and the governor, to get around the objections of the
court, adjourned it to Cambridge. Of this John Han
cock writes on July 1 1 to his London agents : —
GENTN : Our General Assembly being adjourned out of town, my
attendance on which engages all my time, that I can only say I am
loading my Brig Lydia, Capt. Hood. I hope she will sail in ten
days £ as our assembly will rise in a few days, I shall by my Brig,
write you fully to which beg leave to refer you.
On Sept. 6, 1769, he writes to Haley & Hopkins,
concluding thus : —
1 It was when this excitement was at its height that James Otis, that
brilliant lawyer and patriot, friend of John Hancock, was assaulted by
John Robinson, one of the commissioners of the customs, and was so
badly injured that he disappeared from public life, and died at Andover
in 1783.
1 66 JOHN HANCOCK, 1JJS BOOK
The merchants of this town having come into a new agreement
not to suffer any freight to be taken on board their vessels, I beg
you would note the same, & prevent any of it except Coals, Hemp,
Duck & Grindstones being put on board any of my vessels. You
will please to inform my ship masters that they may conform them
selves accordingly.
On Nov. 4 he adds : —
If the Revenue Acts are Repealed, I am hopeful you will be able
to give Scott some freight.
He orders of Haley & Hopkins " 50 barrels of very
best pistol powder." Hancock was now placed in a
most trying position. As a citizen, patriot, and town
officer, he was doing all in his power to bring about de
sired ends by preventing importation. As a merchant,
he was obliged to see these acts destroy what little busi
ness he had left, and he was bringing trouble upon his
foreign agents and fast friends.
The embarrassment of John Hancock, when it came
to a practical application of the non-importation agree
ment, can best be realized by the following letters.
Under the same date to Haley & Hopkins Mr. Han
cock writes : —
I cannot now make a particular reply to your letter as I am
wholly engaged in the accommodation of the late Importations,
made here by Several Persons of this Town, which circumstances
taking place at the only important moment that it should have been
avoided, I must say Reflects great on the Importers. After many
considerations of the Trade on this subject, the final Resolution was
that nothing less would atone and be satisfactory than the Refusing
the goods to London. The owners consented & this ship Scott h'as
all the goods on board & I wish them a safe Landing in London.
It gives me great uneasiness on your acct. that almost the whole of
the goods that have arrived have been shipped by you and the
trade were determined to pass Resolves which I was apprehensive
would operate to your Disadvantage. I however was influential in
abating the Resentment & actually made offer of the crates to carry
GENERAL COURT REMOVES TO CAMBRIDGE l6/
home what goods Scott could not take & in this I really judged I
was most essentially promoting your interests. But Scott takes the
whole of the goods, so theres an end of it. However it is a most
unlucky thing you shipped those goods out. Only consider what
a Difference it makes as to the trade & conditions of Individuals.
You build some up upon the fall & Ruin of others. We ought also
to be on a footing & hope soon to see an Establishment of our trade
on a solid foundation. With respect to this ship of mine, to ac
commodate the matter of Importation, I offered my ship, freight
free, as she brought some of the goods you shipt the most fiom
friendship to you £ my own honor, I was induced to make the offer.
I only mention this. I don't mean to desire anything contrary to
your transactions, but if you should think well of it, as in the con
sequence, you will be more benefited than myself. As the offer I
made established you whether it would not be reasonable that the
expense be borne between us. These Returned goods are regu
larly cleared our Custom House & I can't think there can be the
Least Difficulty in entering the ship in London. Should any arise,
Trusting your Interposition to accommodate matters.
The massacre of March 5, 1770, resulted in the re
moval of the troops from Boston, Samuel Adams, with
John Hancock and others of a committee, persisting
until the desired removal was secured. These troops
already described were ever after called by Lord North
" Sam Adams's Two Regiments." Governor Bernard
having been recalled by the king, Lieutenant-Governor
Hutchinson was in power. But a few days later the
General Court assembled at Cambridge. The demands
upon John Hancock were so great that for the first
time he delegated his correspondence to another : —
June 13, 1770.
GENTN : The removal of the General Court to Cambridge obliges
Mr. Hancock to be often there. He has directed me in his absence
to acquaint you that he has chartered the ship Pratt for a voyage to
South Carolina. WM. PALFREY. l
To HALEY & HOPKINS.
1 Probably son of Col. William Palfrey, and Susanna, daughter of Paix
Cazneau.
1 68 JOHN HANCOCK, II IS BOOK
On June 29, 1/70, Hancock addresses Harrison &
Ansley thus : —
I hope e'er long matters will be so settled as that trade may
revive,. do convince your noble gentlemen at Helm of the ill conse
quences of a perseverance in their present measures, we are a people
worth saving & deserving their notice and indulgence, as all we can
possibly obtain centres on your side. We sincerely feel the griev
ance and are seeking redress. We can't always submit. It is a
true saying " Oppression will make a wise man mad.1' Do stir for
us. I know your disposition and that you will help us all you can.
I have to express my grateful acknowledgements to your Air. John
Harrison for his very genteel present of the table cloth & napkins,
which Mr. G. H. delivered me. They are excessive genteel and by
far the best in the Country. I wish I may have it in my power to
retaliate. 1 must wait long before I can hope a manufacture of this
country to return, but you must take the will for the deed. My
Aunt joins me in her Compliments to you & connection particularly
to the Lady of Mr. G. H. with every wish in her favor. I am with
respect, Gentn,
Your assured friend &
Obligd. humble servt.
On the same date he acknowledges a gift of cheese
and beer, " which has come to hand in good order." On
the same date to Haley & Hopkins he says, " Inclosed
you have a small mem° of allowed articles which you
will please to send by the return of the Lydia." On
Nov. 5 he writes to Haley & Hopkins, arid speaks of
having been absent six weeks, and neglected corre
spondence, which he resumes. On Nov. 27 he sends to
Haley & Hopkins for " i hogsd Loaf sugar, single
refined ; i Bbl. double refined," for his own use. He
has had a letter from George Haley in regard to the
refusal of the cargo, which was returned with a long
explanation and apology. He replies to it on Dec. 27,
1770, thus : —
FOREIGN TRADE NOT ENTIRELY ABANDONED 169
I shall not dwell on the subject which particularly occasioned
your private letter to me. Only say, what I can strictly and sol
emnly declare that in the whole of my conduct during the late
struggle here I was actuated solely by a principle of effecting the
good of my Country, and sincerely thought a strenuous persever
ance in the non-importation would have that effect, and indeed it is
still my opinion, had there been a general attention to that object,
it would have worked out at least some good for us ; but as things
have turned out, I hope all will be for the best, and I am disposed
to acquiesce and heartily wish a perfect Harmony and reconciliation
may take place. I am much obliged to you for your very generous
offers in regard to the freight of the returned goods by Scott, and
upon mature consideration I most desire you will think no more of
it. I believe upon my own plan I should bear it, and I am willing
to bear it, especially as my sole motive was the prospect of happy
consequence resulting from it to my town and Country ; however,
sir, I acknowledge my great obligation to you in that Instance, as
also for your strict attention to my interests in all my concerns, and
hope our correspondence may continue for a long time to mutual
satisfaction. In the matter of non-importation I individually have
been most fully, freely and cruelly used, but the particulars I forbear
troubling you with in a letter, but refer you to Mr. William Palfry,
who is a passenger in my Brig and on whose account I shall trouble
your house with a Line ; he can acquaint you with everything pass
ing here. I must also beg Your pardon that I, in my hurry, omitted
to acquaint you that I had received the first dividend, etc.
My Aunt desires to join me in our Sincere respects to good Mrs.
Haley, the Young Ladies, and with my best wishes for their and
Your health and Happiness,
Believing me to be Dear Sir,
Your, obliged and faithful humble servt.
Foreign trade was not entirely abandoned, as appears
by a letter of Dec. 27, 1770, to Haley & Hopkins, as
follows : —
GENTN : Since my last I am favored with yours by'Dixey of 8th
of October, who arrived here on Christmas day. Am glad to find
you had disposed of all my Oyl & Pottashes, with regard to the
whalebone, you will please to exercise your own judgment as to the
I/O JOHN HANCOCK, II IS BOOK
sale, in which at all times I am disposed to acquiesce, being fully
convinced of your attention to my interests. . . .
I fear you will think me rather guilty of Intrusion with my navi
gation, having so often occasion to request your favour with respect
to freight for my vessels. In the case of the Taoli, beg to say that
if without interfering with your more particular connections, you
could give the Taoli a freight back to Boston, I should take it a
singular favour, but upon the whole, if a freight back cannot be had
& Brig will not fetch ,£800 sterling or more, I must ask the favr. of
you to send her to Lisbon for a load of salt to bring to Boston,
which you will please to conduct for me. I give Capt. Hall orders
accordingly, and in case of a war, please to Insure ^800 on the Brig
the whole voyage, as also the amount of the Salt Cargo, and if a
war, please to keep my navigation fully insured, Goods and freight ;
this you will please to note. Since my last I have disposed of my
ship John & her West India cargo, having met with an offer that
pleased me. I have a new ship of 200 tons built in this town which
I shall fix in her room & shall Despatch her to you the first of the
Spring. In her Mr. Gilbert Harrison returns to England.
He sends an order for goods for a shop to be set up.
He is apparently actively engaged through the spring
months of 1771, and interests himself in behalf of sev
eral men who wish to set up business in shops. On
Oct. 11, 1771, he says in a letter to his agents at Lon
don : " I have not been able to attend to any business
since April last." He complains of poor trade, and
declares that he will not import to a town so stocked
that things are sold many times under the cost. In
closing he says: —
I am not without a prospect of seeing you & my friends in Lon
don, with the Leave of Indulgent Providence, by the middle of
June next, having nearly Determined with Mr. Bowes & your G.
H.'s friend Brattle to embark on board Scott, on his return next
spring.
Hancock had set up his brother Ebenezer in business ;
but he had met the fate of many others, and failed.
HIS INTEREST IN II IS BROTHER I/ I
Hancock, however, determines to venture again. He
says : —
These goods are for my brother, whom I am determined to estab
lish in Business again in hopes he may better succeed,' £ over whom
I shall be careful to keep a watchful eye.
It is gratifying to note this kindly interest which
John Hancock manifested in the business career of his
only brother, Ebenezer. It lasted through the life of
the more wealthy merchant. We find that the Conti
nental Congress, of which John Hancock was president,
on June 12, 1776, made choice of Ebenezer Hancock as
deputy paymaster-general for the eastern department,
and his headquarters were in Boston.
1/2 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
CHAPTER XVI
HANCOCK RECOVERS FROM SEVERE ILLNESS. GIFTS TO BRAT
TLE-STREET CHURCH. HANCOCK MEMORIALS IN COUNTRY
TOWNS. GIFT OF A FIRE-ENGINE TO BOSTON. JOHN
HANCOCK COMMISSIONED A COLONEL OF CADETS. JOUR
NEY TO CONNECTICUT. BOSTON TEA-PARTY. HANCOCK
SENDS WILLIAM PALFREY TO CARRY NEWS OF DESTRUC
TION OF TEA TO PHILADELPHIA.
IN a letter of Nov. 14, 1771, we learn why Mr. Han
cock has relaxed in business activity. It is to Haley
& Hopkins : —
" I readily confess there needs an apology to be made to you for
my want of Punctuality in Replying to your Repeated Esteem'd
favrs. which I have RecYl in the course of the Summer past, but
when I tell you that since last April, I have not had a real well day
till within ten days & my Indisposition such as to incapacitate me
for attention to Business, I know you will readily excuse me & now
thro the indulgence of a kind Providence I am so surprisingly Re-
cover'd that I have plunged myself in the Business of Life again &
if my health continues shall be as punctual as possible in my replies
to your Letters & all my other Concerns with You."
Thomas Hutchinson has been commissioned as chief
executive, and John Hancock is still a representative
from Boston in the General Court. Hancock writes : —
BOSTON, July 7, 1772.
GENTN : Your favr by Lydia I duly reed. & note the Contents. I
have been for some time past and still am so engaged in our Gen
eral Assembly that I cannot now particularly Reply to your last
favr. but shall by next; I have only time to Inclose you Invo &
GIFTS TO BRATTLE-STREET CHURCH 173
Bill Ladg. of Tar & Staves by the Lyclia, Captain Hall, to your
address, which you will please to dispose of £ credit me the pro
ceeds. You have Inclosed a Naval Store Bill. This is a poor
Cargo, but what little oyl has been at market has been held so high
say ^32. sterlg, that I dar'd not to purchase, but thought it most
Eligible to wait the Event of the fall Fishing, tho indeed there has
been but a Trifle at market. I have delivered to Capt. Hall the Size
of Glass with directions for a New Meeting house Building in this
town. I have directed Capt. Hall to deliver to you £ I am to desire
You will please to order it of the best quality, well packed & exactly
conformable to the pattern & directed to ship to me by Scott or one
of my vessels, Boxes marked I H K, charged to my accott, with
separate Invoice Your humble servt>
MESSRS. HALEY & HOPKINS.
The order of glass was for the Brattle-street Church,
to which Hancock was giving liberally, the society being
that with which Madam Hancock and her family wor
shipped. The corner-stone had already been laid, and
the name of Hon. John Hancock had been chiselled on
it. This was evidently in recognition of his gift, the
largest contributed. It amounted to ,£1,000. In the
gift he reserved the right to build a mahogany pulpit
with its full furniture, a mahogany deacons' seat, and
communion-table, and to provide for the accommodation
of the poor widows and others belonging to the society
" who are reputable persons and unable to furnish them
selves with seats/' This furniture had been in use but
a few months when the British occupied the new meet
ing-house for barracks. John Hancock is also pleas
antly remembered to this day by a gift of comparative
insignificance to the town of Lunenburg. In the pulpit
Bible of a church now extinct is read: "The gift of the
Hon. John Hancock, Esq., of Boston. To the Church
and Congregation in Lunenburg. July 26th, Anno
Domini, 1772." It is interesting to note that this gift
174 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
was made in the same month with that to the Brattle-
street Church.
In the adjoining town of Shirley there is a similar
treasure, used still in the pulpit of the Unitarian Church,
and held as a memorial of Madam Lydia Hancock, her
name being duly inscribed upon it. The occasion of
the gift was the opening of the new meeting-house in
that town, the wife of Rev. Phineas Whitney, the min
ister, being Lydia Bowes of Bedford, niece and name
sake of Madam Lydia (Henchman) Hancock. What
an inspiration it must have been to those sturdy people
at the dedication service to have the Hancock coach
roll up to the door, and the honored widow conducted
into their presence, followed by a colored slave, who
bore the great Bible for the new pulpit ! What wonder
that the first son of the parsonage should be named
in honor of the lamented merchant of Boston, to whose
' honor Thomas W7hitney and his descendants have re
flected much credit.
Hancock's popularity was recognized in the remotest
settlements of New England. A section in Berkshire
County, Mass., first called Jericho, from the natural walls
on either side, was named Hancock when incorporated
in 1776, at the time of John Hancock's presidency of
the Continental Congress.
A settlement in southern New Hampshire, begun
about the same time, of which John Hancock was one
of the proprietors, was incorporated as Hancock in 1779.
A section of Addison County, Vt., settled in 1778,
was given the name of Hancock.
Another way in which John Hancock manifested his
regard for the town of Boston during the year 1772 was
by the gift of a fire-engine, which he imported for that
g I
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GIFT OF A FIRE-ENGINE TO BOSTON 1/5
purpose. This was ordered to be kept near Hancock's
wharf.
A letter of July 7, 1772, affords a hint of the condi
tion of business and of the engagements of Hancock : —
By next oppory, I shall send you accott. of sales of Your Sugar
& Beer. I am now prevented £ as I have been for some time &
still am so engaged in our General Assembly that I must beg you
excuse me that I cannot be more particular but by next will be
explicit & particularly reply to your favr.
I am sorry to tell you I have no prospect of a sale of Your
Linens &c I cannot Get the sterlg cost of these £ they will not raise
the money unless sold at auction wc'» must be attended with a great
loss. The Town is so full of Goods that they are sold to loss, do
give me directions what to do with them, Tho I will strive the Fall
Season to Dispose of them without Loss — I shall write you fully in
a few days.
I am with Esteem Sir Your very humble servt.
HENRY CKUGER, ESQ.
On Nov. 4, 1772, Hancock pauses in his official busi
ness long enough to attend to an outgoing vessel. He
sends orders as follows : —
You will please send me by Scott for my acct., marked J. H. :
50 prs. Russia Duck. 20 pcs. Ravens Duck.
15 Tons Best Petersburg Brack Hemp, if low, if not low only
half the quantity.
1 HogshVl single Refined sugar.
10 Hampers best Bottled porter.
40 half Barrels Powder, pray let it be good.
2 Tons of best Cheshire cheese.
10 Boxes Lemons. 2 Casks of Poland & 10 casks of Common
Starch.
To MESSRS. HALEY & HOPKINS :
Goods are at present sold here so excessively low that I do not
import any for my own store, but when there is an alteration I shall
apply to you. If you please, when you are in cash for me, I desire
you would pay Mr. Charles Hurst ^323 17^. ^d. I have directed
him to apply to you for the same.
JOHN HANCOCK, JUS BOOK
On May 17, 1773, Palfrey writes because of the ab
sence of John Hancock.
The letter to Haley & Hopkins shows that Mr. Han
cock is still supplying the garrison at Nova Scotia. He
has been elected to the command of the Independent
Cadets, well known as the governor's guard. The pub
lic announcement was as follows : —
" His Excellency, the Captain-General has been pleased to com-
missionate John Hancock Esq., to be Captain of the Company of
Cadets with the rank of Colonel."
He enters upon the duties of the office regardless of
health, and advertises as follows : —
"Wanted. Immediately — For His Excellency's Company of
Cadets. Two Fifers that understand Playing. Those that are
masters of musick, and are inclined to engage with the Company,
are desired to apply to Col. John Hancock.1'
In Hancock's absence William Palfrey writes : —
BOSTON, i ;th J/.7J, 1773.
GENT. : I wrote you the 5th inst pr. Calif acquainting You of
Coll° Hancock's intention to send Scott out with a load of Naval
Stores, with which the Haley is now loaded, and Inclos'd You have
Inv° & Bill of Lading for 1462 barrell of Tar, also a Naval Store
I Jill. You will doubtless dispose of this Cargo for Mr. Hancocks
best Interest & when sold please to Credit him for the net proceeds.
The Coll° has left no directions with me respecting the sale of
the Ship, in case a saving price should offer. I therefore beg leave
to refer You to his former Letters on that subject by which you will
please to govern yourselves. I know he thinks her too large for the
Trade, although she has hitherto been pretty successful, this has
been greatly owing to Your kindness.
Madam Hancock desires her best compliments to your Ladies
& Families, with her sincere wishes for the recovery of Miss Haley's
health, in which she is heartily joined by
Gent Your obliged & most
Obedt servt W. P.
MESS. HALEY & HOPKINS.
JOURNEY TO CONNECTICUT 177
Under the same date, to Harrison & Ansley, Mr. Pal
frey writes : —
Coll° Hancock has lately been so greatly indisposed that he has
not been able to reply to your several favors.
He is now on a journey to Connecticut as well for the recovery
of his health as to transact some public business relative to the par
tition Line between this Province and New York.
I take the Liberty, in his absence, to inclose you a memoranda
for a few goods for the mark H. £ P., which you will please to
compleat & send out by the Return of the Haley. He begs your
particular attention to the Quality & price of each article, that in
the sale we may be at least upon a footing with our neighbors. We
expect Mr. Hancock back in a few days, and if his Health will per
mit he purposes to write you particularly by the first opportunity.
Madam Hancock desires her best respects to your G. H. & Lady &
to your Gent1!!, respectively. My compliments to your J. H., Mr.
Tho. Harrison & Mr. Ansley, Mr. G. H. & Lady & all friends.
I am with great esteem,
Gent'n., your most obed't. serv't.,
\V. P.
In December, 1773, Hancock writes to Haley & Hop
kins : —
I shall be much obliged to you to send the Bell wrote for by
Capt. Scott, as also the Pulpit furniture & curtains, which please to
order of the best Silk Crimson Damask. The size of Bell & Di
mensions of the Curtains, etc., you have in my letter by Hood.
These were gifts to Brattle-street Church. The bell
weighed 3,220 pounds. The motto inscribed upon it
is : —
I to the church the living call,
And to the grave I summon all.
The bell did not reach Boston until September, 1774.
The port being then blockaded, Captain Scott was
obliged to go into port at Salem, Sept. 20. He also
brought a quantity of powder, which Hancock had or
dered. This was welcomed by the patriots, for there
1/8 JO JIN JIANCOCK, HIS BOOK
had not been a pound to be procured in Boston for
many weeks. The bell was rung for the first time Oct.
28, 1774.
On Dec. 21, 1773, he writes to his London agents : —
We have been much agitated in consequence of the arrival of
the Tea Ships by the East India Comp., and after every effort was
made to Induce the consignees to return it from whence it came &
all proving ineffectual, in a very few Hours the whole of the Tea on
Board Bruce, Coffin & Hall 1 was thrown into the salt water. The
particulars I must refer you to Capt. Scott for; indeed I am not
acquainted with them myself, so as to give a Detail. Capt. Loring
in a Brig with the remainder of the Tea is cast on shore at the back
of Cape Codd. Philadelphia £ York are Determined the Tea shall
not land. I enclose you an extract of a letter I Rec'd. from Phila.,
by which you will see the spirit of that people. No one circum
stance could possibly have taken place more effectively to unite the
Colonies than this manouvre of the Tea. It is Universally Resented
here & people of all ranks detest the measure. Our papers & Dr.
Williamson, who is passenger in Scott, will inform you many cir
cumstances. I Determine if my Oyle gets up tomorrow my Brigt.
Lydia shall depart in six days. I shall recommend her to be sold.
The information which Mr. Hancock, in the above
letter, says he received from Philadelphia, was doubtless
brought by his trusted agent, William Palfrey.
While Hancock is silent at this point, his friend An
drews writes, under Dec. i : —
Having just returned from fire club, and am now, in company
with the two Miss Masons and Mr. Williams of your place [Phila
delphia], at Sam. Eliot's, who have been dining with him at Colo-
Hancock's, and acquaints me that Mr. Palfrey sets off Express for
New York and Philadelphia at five o'clock to-morrow morning to
communicate ye transactions of this town respecting the tea.
1 The "Tea-ships" were Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver. Francis
Rotch. owned the Dartmouth, the first to arrive in Boston, with James
Hall as captain; James Bruce was captain of the Eleanor, and Hezekiah
Coffin of the Beaver. It is probable that William Rotch, brother to Fran-
THE ARRIVAL OF THE TEA-SHIPS 179
Of the arrival of the tea-ships he says : —
It has caus'd ye most spirited and firm conduct to be observed
that ever was .known, the regularity and particulars of which pro
ceedings Mr. Palfrey will be able to tell you. The consignees have
all taken their residence at the Castle, as they still persist in their
refusal to take the tea back. Its not only ye town but the country
are unanimous against the landing it, and at the Monday and Tues
day meetings, they attended to the number of some hundreds from
all the neighboring towns within a dozen miles, — 'twould puzzle
any person to purchase a pair of p Is in town, as they are all
bought up, with a full determination to repell force to force.
The above letter, penned by John Andrews, and be
fore published, shows the quiet and expeditious manner
in which John Hancock exerted himself for the public
good at this important time. He must have had a deep
personal interest in the tea trouble, but is silent upon
his private interests ; he puts his strength into the wel
fare of the public.
As we have no letter of John Hancock's in regard to
this, one written by his friend Andrews is inserted : l —
However precarious our situation may be, such is the present
calm composure of the people that a stranger would hardly think
that ten thousand pounds sterling of the East India Company's tea
was destroy'd the night, or rather evening before last, yet it is a
serious truth ; and if your's, together with ye other Southern prov
inces, should rest satisfied with this quota being stor'd, poor Boston
will feel the whole weight of ministerial vengeance. However it is
the opinion of most people that we stand an equal chance now,
whether troops are sent in consequence of it or not, whereas, had
it been stor'd we should inevitably have had 'em, to enforce the
sale of it.
The affair was transacted with the greatest regularity and de-
cis, and John Hancock were owners in part of the other ships, which had
taken oil to London, and were chartered to take the tea in returning.
1 From Proceedings of Massachusetts Historical Society of 1864 and
1865.
180 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
spatch. Mr. Rotch finding he exposed himself not only to the loss
of his ship for ye value of the tea in case he sent her back with it,
without a clearance from the custom house, as ye Admiral kept a
ship in readiness to make a seizure of it whenever it should sail
under those circumstances ; therefore declined complying with his
former promises, and absolutely declared his vessel should not carry
it, without a proper clearance could be procur'd or he to be indem
nified for the value of her, — when a general muster was assembled,
from this and all ye neighbouring towns, to the number of five or
six thousand, at 10 o'clock Thursday morning in the Old South
Meeting house, where they pass'd a unanimous vote that the tea
should go out of the harbor that afternoon, and sent a committee
with Mr. Rotch to ye custom house to demand a clearance, which
the collector told 'em was not in his power to give, without the
duties being first paid. They then sent Mr. Rotch to Milton, to
ask a pass from ye Governor, who sent for answer, that " consistent
with the rules of Government " and his duty to the King he could
not grant one without they produced " a previous clearance from the
office." — By the time he returned with this message the candles
were light in (the) house, and upon reading it, such prodigious
shouts were made, that induc'd me, while drinking tea at home, to
go out and know the cause of it.
The house was so crowded I could get no farther than ye porch,
when I found the moderator was just declaring the meeting to be
dissolved, which caused another general shout, out doors and in,
and three cheers. What with that, and the consequent noise of
breaking up of the meeting, you'd thought that the inhabitants
of the infernal regions had broke loose. For my part I went con
tentedly home and finished my tea, but was soon inform'd what was
going forward ; but still not crediting it without ocular demonstra
tion, I went and was satisfied. They muster'd, I'm told, upon
Fort Hill, to the number of about two hundred, and proceeded, two
by two, to Griffin's wharf, where Hall, Bruce and Coffin lay, each
with 114 chests of the ill fated article on board, the two former
with only that article, but ye latter arriv'd at ye wharf only ye
day before, was freighted with a large quantity of other goods,
which they took the greatest care not to injure in the least, and
before nine o'clock in ye evening, every chest from on board the
three vessels was knocked to pieces and flung over ye' sides.
They say the actors were Indians from Narragansett. Whether
they were or not, to a transient observer they appear'd as such,
BOSTON TEA-PARTY l8l
being cloth'd in Blankets with the heads muffled, and copper color'd
countenances being each arm'd with a hatchet or axe, and pair
pistols, nor was their dialect different from what I conceived these
geniusses to speak, as their Jargon was unintelligible to all but them
selves. Not the least insult was offered to any person, save one
Captain Conner, a letter of horses in this place, not many years
since remov'd from dear Ireland, who had ript up the lining of his
coat and waist coat under the arms, and watching his opportunity
had nearly fill'd ?em with tea, but being detected was handled pretty
roughly. They not only stripped him of his clothes, but gave him
a coat of mud, with a severe bruising into the bargain ; and noth
ing but their utter aversion to make any disturbance prevented his
being tar'd and feather'd.
On the i Qth of December Mr. Andrews writes to
his friend at Philadelphia : —
I give you joy of your easy riddance of the baneful herb ; being
just inform'd by ye arrival of the post that its gone from whence it
came. You may bless your stars that you have not a H n and
board of commissioners resident with you. I forgot to acquaint
you last evening that Loring in a brig belonging to Clark, one of
ye consignees, is on shore at ye back of Cape Cod, drove thither by
a storm last Fryday week, who has the last quota of Tea for this
place, being 58 chests, which compleats the 400.
There were many poetical effusions occasioned by
the tea episode. One that appeared in Thomas's Spy is
as follows : —
Farewell the tea-board, with its equipage
Of cups and saucers, cream bucket and sugar-tongs;
The pretty tea-chest, also, lately stored
With hyson, congo, and best double fine.
Full many a joyous moment have I sat by you,
Hearing the girls tattle, the old maids talk scandal.
And the spruce coxcomb laugh at may be nothing.
No more shall I dish out the once loved liquor,
Though now detestable.
Because I am taught, and I believe it true,
Its use will fasten slavish chains upon my country;
And Liberty's the goddess I would choose
To reign triumphant in America !
1 82 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
CHAPTER XVII
WILLIAM PALFREY CONDUCTS HANCOCK'S BUSINESS. JOHN
HANCOCK DELIVERS THE MASSACRE ORATION. ARRIVAL
AND RECEPTION OF GENERAL GAGE. COLONEL HANCOCK
AND THE CADETS. HANCOCK'S COMMISSION REVOKED.
LEGISLATURE MEETS AT SALEM. LAST SESSION CALLED
BY A GOVERNOR UNDER THE CROWN. PROVINCIAL CON
GRESS AT CONCORD AND CAMBRIDGE. BOSTON SCHOOL
BOYS KEEP A SECRET AND SAVE THE CANNON. INDIGNA
TION AT TREATMENT OF A BILLERICA MAN. GAGE'S ARMY
INJURE HANCOCK'S PROPERTY. NOTABLE GATHERING AT
LEXINGTON PARSONAGE. BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. FLIGHT
FROM GAGE'S ARMY TO BURLINGTON AND BILLERICA.
THE year 1774 opens when John Hancock is suffer
ing from disease, and the public demands so much of
his time that his business correspondence is delegated
to his friend Palfrey.1 He writes on Jan. 10, 1774:—
Mr. Hancock intended to have wrote you fully by this opportu
nity but is prevented by indisposition & is at present confined to
his bed. I have therefore to inclose you Invoice & Bill of Lading
for Oyle, Tar & Staves on Board the Brig Lydia, Adam Winthrop,
master, to your address, which you will please to dispose of & credit
him with the net proceeds.
This Brig Mr. Hancock would be glad to sell provided she will
fetch ^500 stg. If not, you will please to return her as soon as
possible with what freight you can procure. If none should offer,
1 William Palfrey, the friend and confidential clerk to John Hancock,
was aid-de-camp to Washington when he was in command of the Conti
nental army at Cambridge, and accompanied the chief to New York after
the evacuation.
HANCOCK DELIVERS MASSACRE ORATION 183
be kind enough to ship Twenty Tons of good Hemp £ Forty chal
drons of Coals, also Fifty pieces of Russia Duck. If his Health will
permit he intends to write you himself by a vessell which will sail
from hence in a few days.
I am Gent. Your most hble Servt-
\VM. PALFREY.
MESSRS. HALEY & HOPKINS.
Jan. 26, 1774, was the date of the opening of the ses
sion of the General Court of which John Hancock was a
member from Boston, having received all but two of 419
votes cast. It was a critical time, and the duties were
exhausting ; but Mr. Hancock is found assuming the
added responsibility of presiding at the town-meeting,
and of delivering the massacre oration of March 5, 1774.
His bold utterances at this time gave great offence to
the executive, and more especially to the officers of the
standing army. A copy of the oration was requested of
Mr. Hancock for publication. (See Appendix II.)
There was taken at this time a collection for Mr.
Christopher Monk, " a young man now languishing tin
der a wound rec'd in his lungs, by a shot from Preston's
Bloody Party of Soldiers on 5th March, 1770." This
collection amounted to ^319. 13. 3. old tenor, and the
same was left with the selectmen for the use of the said
Monk. Five days later Mr. Hancock was chosen as
moderator of a town-meeting, but was too ill to attend ;
but he was elected as one of the Board of Selectmen
for the year 1774-1775. He was also chosen one of
the firewards, but at a later meeting was excused. He
was active in the movement at this time for lighting the
streets, believing that darkness was favorable to evil
doings.
This busy man turns from public affairs to place his
well-known signature upon papers relating to his pri-
184 JOHN HAKCOCK, HIS BOOK
vate business, as witnesseth the following document, in
possession of Mr. John M. Graham of Boston.
On Wednesday, May 10, Mr. Hancock experienced
the renewal of the confidence of the voters of the town
by a unanimous re-election to the General Court ; his
associates being Thomas Gushing, Samuel Adams, and
William Phillips.
It was at an adjourned session of this meeting that
the town took action in regard to the " Edict of a Brit
ish Parliament for Blocking up the Harbor of Boston
and annihilating the trade of this town."
John Hancock now sees the ruin which he has so often
predicted about to visit the town. But there is a glim
mer of hope in the departure of Governor Hutchinson,
and the arrival of Governor Gage ; yet it soon goes out
in despair.
It was the duty of Colonel Hancock and his company
to receive and escort His Majesty's representative to the
State House. He landed at Long Wharf on May 19,
and received due honor at the hands of Colonel Hancock
and the Cadets.
IfAiVCOCK'S COMMISSION REVOKED 185
Gage was proclaimed governor amid the acclamations
of the people. They all partook of a bountiful enter
tainment at Faneuil Hall, when the new governor ex
pressed himself as aware of the unwelcome errand he
came upon, but said, as he was a servant of the Crown,
he was obliged to see the Act put in execution. His
words were carefully followed by John Hancock and the
leaders in the patriotic movements, who also watched
each subsequent act of official authority.
Although the Letter-book affords us no light upon the
movements of Hancock at this critical time, the blank
pages are forcible reminders of the man too much en
grossed to place his thoughts upon paper. No more
important subjects ever agitated the minds of the men
of Boston than those discussed in John Hancock's count
ing-room and other patriot headquarters.
We can imagine the indignation of the Cadets when,
in August, Governor Gage notified Colonel Hancock by
the hand of his secretary, Flucker, that he had no further
occasion for his services as the commander.
The corps at once disbanded, and sent a committee to
the governor with the standard which His Excellency
had presented them. Colonel Hancock received a very
encouraging message from the disbanded company, to
which he replied : " I am ever ready to appear in a pub
lic station, when the honor or the interest of the com
munity calls me ; but shall always prefer retirement in
a private station to being a tool in the hand of power to
oppress my countrymen."
We now follow the footsteps of John Hancock to the
Old State House, where the General Court convened on
May 25, by virtue of writs issued by Governor Hutch-
inson.
1 86 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Governor Gage met the assembly, and informed them
that he had "the king's particular commands for hold
ing the General Court at Salem ; " accordingly he ad
journed the Legislature to Salem, there to meet on
Tuesday, the 7th of June. This was because of the en
forcement of the Port Bill, which took effect before the
Legislature came together again. But Hancock and
other representatives had not been idle ; and when they
reassembled at Salem they made it their first business
to protest against this adjournment, and prepared their
answer to the governor's speech. This session, noted
for lack of harmony, continued until the i/th of June,
and was then dissolved by the governor's proclamation,
read on the stairs of the Representative Chamber by
Secretary Flucker, the door having been closed against
him. But this act of His Excellency was not until after
the representatives had passed resolutions, appointing
John Hancock and others as delegates to the Continental
Congress at Philadelphia, and made appropriation to de
fray their expenses.
John Hancock consequently acted in the last legisla
tive assembly regularly convened in Massachusetts un
der writs issued by a governor appointed by the Crown.
The distress of the summer months was made doubly
trying by the fears of the winter on the part of the poor.
The merchants were obliged to see their ships idle at
the wharf and their warehouses vacant. But Hancock
was fully occupied as one of the selectmen in attending
the meetings of the Board held from week to week to
settle the many new questions arising in the town. He
was conspicuous by his absence at the meeting of Aug.
13, called by request of Governor Gage, when His Excel
lency notified the Board "that he had received from
en ra
O 8
THE FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS l8/
England the two Acts of Parliament lately passed in
which was inserted a clause forbidding the calling of
town-meetings without special license from the gover
nor." But this did not disturb those far-seeing selectmen,
who had two town-meetings now alive by adjournment.
Hancock's vigilance, as a selectman, in the public in
terests, only slackened when he was called to duty as a
representative.
Governor Gage's order for the General Court to con
vene on the 5th of October, although subsequently coun
termanded, resulted in an assembly of ninety of the
representatives. These resolved themselves into the
Provincial Congress, of which John Hancock was made
chairman, and Benjamin Lincoln was chosen clerk.
They then adjourned to meet at Concord on the fol
lowing Tuesday. When reassembled, the chairman and
clerk were made president and secretary respectively.
A committee was soon appointed to take into consider
ation the state of the Province, and report. Of this
committee John Hancock was chairman ; and when their
report was accepted, and sent as a message to the gov
ernor, it was attested by John Hancock, the president of
the Provincial Congress.
When they assembled, by adjournment, at Cambridge
on the i/th inst., Mr. Hancock had the governor's an
swer to read to the Congress. It was at the third ses
sion of this First Provincial Congress, and on Oct. 22,
that the question of the annual Thanksgiving was dis
cussed ; and it was decided that the appointment should
be made by this body of men, and Thursday, the fif
teenth day of December, was selected for the autumnal
festival. The proclamation issued was the first on which
the "king" was not recognized. (See Appendix III.)
188
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Thus they went on step by step until the record of
the First Provincial Congress was completed on Dec.
10, 1774.
The interim between this adjournment and the as
sembling of the Second Congress afforded Mr. Hancock
no rest. He appears immediately with the selectmen
devising plans for the control of the small-pox, which
the army brought to the town.
^
HUBBARD HOUSE, CONCORD.
(Where John Hancock lived when at Provincial Congress.)
So urgent was this duty that they met on Sunday,
and prepared a notice for print in the papers of the fol
lowing morning, in order that the townspeople might be
relieved of their anxiety. But the disease was not
easily suppressed ; and the selectmen were in session
daily, and Hancock is recorded as being in attendance.
During these weeks of anxious care, there were
strange scenes in the vicinity of the Hancock mansion ;
for the king's army was in camp on the Common, and
BOSTON SCHOOL-BOYS KEEP A SECRET 189
its movements by day or night were easily detected by
the occupants of that famous dwelling. Among the
frequent guests of Madam Hancock, during that memo
rable winter of 1774-1775, was Dorothy Quincy, who in
her old age, as Madam Scott, said she well remembered
hearing Earl Percy's voice when drilling the regulars
near the Hancock mansion.
The Second Provincial Congress opened at Cam
bridge on Feb. i, 1775 ; and John Hancock was there
in the service of Boston. He was unanimously elected
as the president of that body, and one of a committee
to consider and report "the state and circumstances of
the Province." On the fourth day of that session we
find John Hancock putting the motion " that the secre
tary be directed to write Col. Roberson, desiring him to
deliver the four brass field pieces, and the two brass
mortars now in his hands, the property of the Province,
to the order of the Committee of Safety." But there
was another party in authority, — Governor Gage, —
who was looking after arms and military stores in the
interest of the king. We can readily imagine the sur
prise of his officers when going to look for the Province
guns and finding only the carriages, and seem to hear
their exclamation, " They are gone ; these fellows will
steal the teeth out of your head while you are keeping
guard ! "
Their search did not reveal the guns ; an unbroken
cobweb convinced them they could not have been taken
out the gateway ; and as the only other possible pas
sage-way was through a schoolhouse, they proceeded to
search there. With what intensity of feeling the boys
in their seats and Mr. Holbrook, the schoolmaster,
watched the officers. But the box on which Master
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Holbrook's lame foot was carefully placed, was the one
hiding-place undisturbed. Hence schoolmaster, boys,
and other patriots had the satisfaction of knowing that
they had acted an important part in saving two of the
guns, and in carrying into execution the resolve of the
Provincial Congress ; for those guns were in service
through the whole war, and are now seen on the wall
inside of the top of Bunker Hill Monument, known as
the Hancock and Adams.
THE HANCOCK:
SACRED TO LIBERTY.
This is one of four cannon which constituted the whole
train of Field Artillery possessed by the British colo
nies of North America at the commencement
of the war on the 19^ of April, 1775.
THIS CANNON
and its fellow, belonging to a number of citizens of Boston,
were used in many engagements during the war. The
other two, the property of the Government of
Massachusetts, were taken by the enemy.
By order of the United States, in Congress
assembled May 19, 1788.
These two guns were used many years in the " An
cient and Honorable Artillery," and by them the
Adams was burst in firing a salute.
It was in this session of the Provincial Congress that
John Hancock and his associates, chosen by the former
Congress as delegates to the Continental Congress,
"were authorized and empowered, with the delegates
from the other American Colonies, to adjourn from
time to time, and place to place, as they shall judge
necessary, and to continue as delegates until the end of
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GAGE'S ARMY INJURES HANCOCK'S PROPERTY IQI
the year." The first session adjourned on Feb. 16 ; and
we find its president, John Hancock, back in Boston on
duty with the selectmen. On March 9 he was with
those officials in their meeting " to examine into the
affair of this morning when a countryman was tar'd and
feathered and carried thro' the Streets of this Town by
a large Party of Soldiers of the 47. Regiment headed
by Coll0 Nesbit." *
At the meeting of March 11, Hancock was in atten
dance when Ditson's case was freely discussed, and a
letter ordered to be sent to the selectmen of Billerica.
But he was absent on the I4th, when the officials of
that town appeared before the Boston authorities.
On the i 5th and i8th he was in the sessions. We
almost wonder at this ; for, on the previous evening,
" Col. Hancock's elegant seat, situated near the Com
mon, was attacked by a number of officers, who with
their swords, cut and hacked the fence before his house
in a most scandalous manner and behaved very abusively,
by breaking people's windows, and insulting every per
son they met." With these scenes fresh in his mind,
we may imagine with what intensity of feeling on the
1 8th John Hancock discussed the letter sent up to Bos
ton by the selectmen of Middleboro, Plympton, and Hali
fax " relating to the ill behaviour of some of the Troops
sent to Marshfield by General Gage."
On the following night, iQth, Hancock was again
annoyed by the soldiers, who entered his enclosure, and
refused to retire after his requesting them to do so,
telling him that his house and stable would soon be
theirs, and then they would do as they pleased.
We may well imagine that John Hancock presented
1 Thomas Uitson of Billerica.
IQ2 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
an anxious face at Concord on the morning of the 22cl,
when the second session of the Provincial Congress
assembled. But with an unfaltering purpose he entered
upon the duties of the president of the Assembly, and
was faithful at his post until the adjournment on the
i 5th of April.
Knowing the condition of affairs in Boston, we con
clude that Hancock did not return to his home during
the intermissions of the session, but that he went to
the Lexington parsonage, where his cousins, Rev. and
Mrs. Jonas Clark, gladly welcomed him and his associate.
Turning again to the Hancock mansion, we are not
surprised to find Madam Lydia Hancock anxious, espe
cially now that her nephew, the master of the house, is
absent, and serving as president of the Provincial Con
gress, making plans to thwart the king's army. The
modest parsonage at Lexington offers a safe retreat for
her ; and in company with her young friend, Miss
Ouincy, she is driven in her coach to the home of her
niece, where the family are once more together. John
Hancock was on familiar ground when at this Lexington
home ; for, as we have seen in the introduction, he
spent much of his time in childhood with his grand
parents at this place. Upon the adjournment of the
Congress at Concord he went immediately to Lexing
ton ; and Paul Revere has told us that he carried a mes
sage from Dr. Warren to Hancock and Adams on the
following Sunday, whom he found at the home of Rev.
Jonas Clark.
I have sat in that old parsonage until I have seen in
fancy the notable group of that April night, as they
gathered about the time-honored hearthstone.
The last rays of the setting sun have left the dampness
NOTABLE GATHERING AT LEXINGTON 193
of the meadows to gather about the home ; and each
guest and family occupant has gladly taken seats within
the house, while Mrs. Jonas Clark has closed the shut
ters, added a new fore-log, and fanned the embers to a
cheerful flame. Although the venerable widow is par
tially hidden in the shadow, the flickering candle reveals
the sadness of her countenance when the condition of
affairs in Boston is discussed. But the shadow is dis
pelled for a time as Madam Hancock tells her nephew
and other guests of the visit that day from her pastor,
Rev. Dr. Cooper, who fled from Boston on the i6th of
April, and went out to Weston, and had taken a trip
to the Lexington parsonage, and dined there with her
and Rev. and Mrs. Clark. The stern and inflexible
Samuel Adams hears it all, and declares his purpose
with undaunted zeal, finding in Rev. Jonas Clark one of
a kindred spirit. The young couple whom Madam Han
cock has studiously brought together exchange sympa
thetic glances as they take part in the conversation.
Hancock and Adams are among patriot friends. They
know that many a flame has been kindled from the Lex
ington altar; and they do not hesitate to tell of the action
of the Provincial Congress, and speak of the gathering
cloud so near to bursting. The hours wear away, and
the candles are snuffed once more ; and before they
burn into the brass sockets all have retired, not without
apprehensions of approaching trouble, but with little
thought that the king's strong arm of military authority
is already extended toward that room where the Con
gressmen have pillowed their weary heads.
Leaving the immortal Longfellow to tell, -
It was one by the village clock,
When he galloped into Lexington,
194 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
we trace John Hancock, as with Samuel Adams and
Miss Quincy, he is driven over to Woburn Precinct,
Burlington, where the company are welcomed by Madam
Jones at the Precinct Parsonage. But Hancock was not
permitted to remain there long. An excited messenger
brought a false alarm ; and when about to sit down to a
bountiful meal, the two patriots were conducted by Cuff,
the parsonage negro slave, away through the woods to
the home of Amos Wyman,1 in an obscure corner of the
town of Billerica, just at Bedford line. How Hancock's
scarlet cloak must have aroused the songsters of that
April morning, as his graceful figure glided through the
forest ! and how welcome must have been the sight of
that rude home as they approached the door, which
swung open as Cuff pulled the latch-string, and proudly
ushered in the noted men ! The early start, bracing
April breeze, and savory smell of promised food at the
parsonage, conspired to arouse an appetite in these men
that could not be longer suppressed. The modest
housewife gave her unaccustomed guests the best she
had. Cold boiled salt pork, cold potatoes, and brown
bread were strange viands for Hancock ; but he ate
them with a relish that was not forgotten when he was
again master of his own home.
1 The Wyman estate of 1 775 is now owned by Mr. George Bennett of
Burlington. Through his permission, patriotic citizens of Billerica have
taken steps to add to the natural and historical attractions of the place.
The old well has been restored to its former usefulness; and a bowlder,
near the old hearth-stone, bears the following inscription : —
AMOS WYMAN HOMESTEAD.
HERE
JOHN HANCOCK AND SAMUEL ADAMS
FOUND REFUGE FROM THE BRITISH SOLDIERS, APRIL 19, 1775.
THIS INSCRIPTION PLACED HERE BY THE BILLERICA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 1898.
FLIGHT FROM GAGE'S ARMY 1 95
How long John Hancock and his companion remained
in seclusion is not known ; but wisely directed caution
must have kept them beyond the possible reach of Gen
eral Gage, who was bent on their arrest, to be sent to
England for trial.
196 JOHN HANCOCK', JUS BOOK
CHAPTER XVIII
JOHN HANCOCK CHOSEN PRESIDENT OF THE SECOND CON
TINENTAL CONGRESS. HE IS PROSCRIBED BY PROCLAMA
TION OF GENERAL GAGE. A LOVE-LETTER AND SUBSEQUENT
MARRIAGE.
THE third session of the Second Provincial Congress
convened at Concord on April 22, and immediately ad
journed to Watertown. But as Hancock was a delegate
to the Continental Congress, to convene at Philadelphia
on May 10, he did not again appear in that body.
His next appearance is told by the following letter to
the Committee of Safety : —
[From New England Magazine.]
WORCESTER, April 24, 1775.
Monday Evening.
GENTLEMEN: Mr. S. Adams and myself, just arrived here, find
no intelligence from you, and no guard. We just hear an express
has just passed through this place to you, from New York, inform
ing that administration is bent upon pushing matters ; and that four
regiments are expected there. How are we to proceed? Where
are our brethren? Surely, we ought to be supported. I had rather
be with you ; and, at present, am fully determined to be with you,
before I proceed. I beg, by the return of this express, to hear from
you, and pray, furnish us with depositions of the conduct of the
troops, the certainty of their firing first, and every circumstance
relative to the conduct of the troops from the 19^ instant, to this
time, that we may be able to give some account of matters as we
proceed, especially at Philadelphia, also, I beg you would order
your secretary to make out an account of your proceedings since
what has taken place ; what your plan is ; what prisoners we have,
PRESIDENT OF CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 197
and what they have of ours ; who of note was killed, on both sides ;
who commands our forces, £c.
Are our men in good spirits? For God's sake do not suffer the
spirit to subside, until they have perfected the reduction of our ene
mies. Boston must be entered ; the troops must be sent away,
. . . Our friends are valuable, but our country must be saved.
I have an interest in that town. What can be the enjoyment of that
town, if I am obliged to hold it at the will of Gen. Gage or any one
else? I doubt not your vigilance, your fortitude, and resolution.
Do let us know how you proceed. We must have the Castle.
The ships must be ... Stop up the harbor against large vessels
coming. You know better what to do than I can point out. Where
is Mr. Gushing.1 Are Mr. Paine2 and Mr. John Adams to be with
us? What are we to depend upon? We travel rather as deserters,
which I will not submit to. I will return and join you, if I cannot
detain this man, as I want much to hear from you. How goes on
theGongress? \Vho is your president ? Are the members hearty?
Pray remember Mr. S. Adams and myself to all friends. God be
with you.
I am, gentlemen, your faithful and hearty countryman
JOHN HANCOCK.
To the GENTLEMEN COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
The above letter leads to the conclusion that Han
cock and his companion, soon after their frugal meal at
Amos Wyman's in Billerica, set out on their journey
to Philadelphia. It was but five days after the flight
from Lexington that Hancock penned the letter from
Worcester. Anxiety is detected in its tone. Let us look
for the occasion of it. The Province of Massachusetts
had risen in her own defence, and bravely had she main
tained her ground ; but her garments were wet with the
blood of her sons mingled with that of the loyal subjects
of the king. How were the other Provinces to regard
this precipitation ? Connecticut and New Hampshire
had sustained them ; and their sons had responded to
1 Thomas Gushing. 2 Robert Treat Paine.
198 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
the Lexington alarm, and were ready to share in the
perils of the time. But how would the rest of the
country regard the movement ? Would they stand by
Massachusetts in this extremity ? It was such questions
that disturbed the minds of these delegates to the Sec
ond Continental Congress. They were sure of New
England ; and as the Hancock coach rolled along through
Connecticut, the occupants felt perfectly safe, but the
attitude of New York was yet to be learned.
Hancock's letter to Miss Quincy supplies the infor
mation : —
[From " Family Memorials," by Edward E. Salisbury.]
NEW YORK, Sabbath Even'g, May 7, 1775.
MY DEAR DOLLY : —
I Arrived well, tho1 Fatigued, at King's Bridge at Fifty Minutes
after Two o'clock yesterday, where I found the Delegates of Massa
chusetts and Connect1, with a Number of Gentlemen from New
York, and a Guard of the Troop. I Din'd and then set out in Pro
cession for New York, the Carriage of your humble servant of course
being first in the Procession. When we Arrived within three Miles
of the City we were Met by the Grenadier Company and Regiment
of the City Militia under Arms, Gentlemen in Carriages and on
Horseback, and many Thousand of Persons on Foot, the Roads
fill?d with people, and the greatest Cloud of Dust I ever saw. In
this Scituation we Entered the City, and passing thro1 the Principal
Streets of New York amidst the Acclamations of Thousands were
set Down at Mr. Francis's. After Entering the House three Huzzas
were Given, and the People by Degrees Dispers'd.
When I got within a mile of the City my Carriage was stopt,
and Persons appearing with proper Harnesses insisted upon Taking
out my Horses and Dragging me into and through the City, a Cir
cumstance I would not have had Taken place upon any considera
tion, not being fond of such Parade.
I BegVl and Intreated that they would Suspend the Design, and
ask'd it as a favour, and the Matter Subsided, but when I got to
the Entrance of the City, and the Numbers of Spectators increas'd
to perhaps Seven Thousand or more, they Declared they would
have the Horses out and would Drag me themselves thro1 the City.
HANCOCK AT WORCESTER 199
I Repeated my Request, and I was oblig'd to apply to the Leading
Gentlemen in the procession to intercede with them not to Carry
their Designs into Execution ; as it was very disagreeable to me.
They were at last prevailed upon and I preceded. I was much
oblig'd to them for their good wishes and Opinion, in short no
Person could possibly be more notic'd than myself.
After having Rode so fast and so many Miles you may well
think I was much Fatigu'd, but no sooner had I got into the Room
of the House we were Visited by a great number of Gentlemen of
the first Character in the city, who Took up the Evening.
About 10 o'clock I Sat down to Supper of Fried Oysters, &c.,
at ii o'clock went to Capt. Sears's (the King Inn) and Lodg'd.
Arose at 5 o'clock, went to the House first mentioned, Breakfasted,
Dress'd and went to Meeting, where I heard a most excellent Ser
mon by Mr. Livingston, Returned to the same House, a most
Elegant Dinner provided.
Went to Meeting, heard Dr. Rogers, a fine preacher. To
morrow Morning propose to Cross the Ferry. We are to have a
large Guard in several Boats and a Number of the City Gentlemen
will attend us over. I can't think they will Dare attack us.
The Grenadier Company of the City is to Continue under Arms
during our stay here, and we have a Guard of them Night and Day
at our Doors. This is a sad mortification for the Tories, things
look well here.
The travelling company now consisted of John Han
cock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas dishing,
Robert Treat Paine, Roger Sherman, and Silas Deane.
I Beg you will write me ; do acquaint me every Circumstance
Relative to that Dear Aunt of Mine ; write Lengthy and often. Mr.
Nath. Barrett and Mr. Buck are here. People move slowly out,
they tell me, from Boston. My best Respects to Mr. & Mrs. Burr.
My poor Face and Eyes are in a most shocking scituation, burnt up
and much swell'd and a little painfull. I don't know how to man
age with it.
Is your Father out? As soon as you know, do acquaint me,
and send me the Letters, and I will then write him. Pray let me
hear from you by every Post. God Bless you my Dr Girl, and be
lieve me most Sincerely
Yours most Affectionately,
JOHN HANCOCK.
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
It is -apparent that Hancock's ideas, when at Worces
ter, of the duty of the Provincial Congress, were exactly
those of that body left by him ; for, as soon as the Con
tinental Congress assembled, a packet was received from
Massachusetts Congress, containing copies of the depo
sitions sent to London, of the address to the inhabitants
of Great Britain, and a letter to Benjamin Franklin, Esq.
As we have been interested in the noted men shown
by the Letter-book to have been in touch with Hancock
at Boston, so we cannot fail to have an interest in those
with whom he came in contact through the opening and
progress of the Second Continental Congress at Phila
delphia. There was George Washington from Virginia,
whom Hancock had met in Boston in the year 1756.
Richard Henry Lee, a close companion of Colonel
Washington, was early introduced to Hancock by John
Adams, who had made the acquaintance of the Virginian
at the former Congress. Peyton Randolph, the presi
dent of the former Congress, and also the one chosen
to the honored seat for the Second Congress, was early
presented to Hancock, the man who almost alone of the
wealthy, aristocratic merchants of Boston had early es
poused the side of opposition to Great Britain. Others
from Virginia were Edmund Pendleton, Benjamin Har
rison, and Richard Bland. Benjamin Eranklin and Han
cock met before the Congress assembled. They were
both Massachusetts born, and now, as regards age and
experience, stood in the relation of father and son.
George Clinton and Robert Livingston from New York
were soon on friendly relations with Hancock.
The late coming of Thomas Jefferson in place of
Peyton Randolph, who was obliged to return to his
home, brought another man to the side of Hancock.
o =
< .
O M
HE IS PROSCRIBED BY PROCLAMATION 2OI
Southern delegates were not averse to him as they were
to the more radical Adamses; for Hancock, represent
ing a different class of society, was more conciliatory
in his presence.
It was during the early part of this Congress that
General Gage at Boston issued a proclamation offering
pardon to all the rebels except Samuel Adams and John
Hancock, " whose offences are of too flagitious a nature
to admit of any other consideration than that of condign
punishment." It was a proscribed rebel who was se
lected by this notable assembly as their president when
Peyton Randolph retired. Benjamin Harrison con
ducted John Hancock to the president's chair, remark-
in <r as he went, " We will show Britain how much we
o
value her proscriptions."
Hancock's ability as a presiding officer had been de
tected in the Boston town-meetings, and in this exalted
position he merited much credit. It was when Han
cock was in the chair that Washington was nominated
by John Adams as commander-in-chief of the Conti
nental army. Thus Virginia and Massachusetts were
strengthening their early alliance. It was at this nom
ination that John Adams is credited with having de
tected in the countenance of Hancock jealousy and
resentment. Without questioning the power of John
Adams to penetrate to the feelings of a silent man, we
can but accord credit to the one who was disappointed,
for having so mastered his ambitions as to write to
General Washington, on July 10, 1775, as follows: —
I must beg the favor that you will reserve some berth for me, in
such department as you may judge most proper ; for I am deter
mined to act under you, if it be to take a firelock and join the ranks
as volunteer.
2O2 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
It does not appear that Hancock joined the army
under Washington, but the letter speaks for itself.
Other and later evidence of Hancock's friendly regard
for Washington is seen in the naming of his son John
George Washington Hancock.
In May, Congress directed reprisals to be made, both
by public and private armed vessels, against the ships
and goods of the mother country, found on the high
seas. By this act, known as privateering, Hancock saw
that the Congress were in sympathy with him and other
merchants who had for years been declaring that the
commercial question was the one of great importance.
As the overburdened merchant, banker, or politician
leaves his office, and seeks relief in the quiet of domes
tic comforts, so we find the president of the Continental
Congress, with mind distracted by private and public
cares, turn for relief to the most common, trifling con
cerns of domestic life.
Lest we lose sight of that charming young lady last
seen at the parsonage at Woburn Precinct, let us leave
the arena of government, and follow her to Fairfield,
Conn., where she is the guest at the house of Thaddeus
Burr, and there receives a letter from her lover, John
Hancock.
[From New England Magazine^
PHILAD'A, loth June, 1775.
MY DR. DOLLY : I am almost prevailed on to think that my let
ters to my Aunt & you are not read, for I cannot obtain a reply, I
have ask'd million questions & not an answer to one, I beg'd you to
let me know what things my Aunt wanted & you, and many other
matters I wanted to know, but not one word in answer. I Really
Take it extreme unkind, pray my Dr- use not so much Ceremony &
Reservedness, why can't you use freedom in writing, be not afraid
of me, I want long Letters. I am glad the little things I sent you
were agreeable. Why did you not write me of the top of the Um-
A LOVE LETTER 203
brella. I am so sorry it was spoiled, but I will send you another by
my Express wch will go in a few days. How did my Aunt like her
gown, & do let me know if the Stockings suited her ; she had better
send a pattern shoe & stocking, I warrant I will suit her. The In-
clos'd letter for your Father you will read, & seal & forward him,
you will observe I mention in it your writing your Sister Katy about
a few necessaries for Katy Sewall, what you think Right let her
have & Roy James, this only between you and I ; do write your
Father I should be glad to hear from him, & I Beg, my Dear Dolly,
you will write me often & long Letters, I will forgive the past if you
will mend in future. Do ask my Aunt to make me up & send me a
Watch String, & do you make up another £ send me, I wear them
out fast. I want some little thing of your doing.
Remember me to all Friends with you as if nam'd. I am call'd
upon & must obey.
I have sent you by Docr Church in a paper Box Directed to you,
the following things, for your acceptance, & which I do insist you
wear, if you do not, I shall think the Donor is the objection :
2 pair white silk | stockings which
4 pr. white thread ) I think will fit you
i pr. Black Satin | shoes, the other
i p. Black Calem Co. ) Shall be sent when done.
I very pretty light Hat
1 neat Airy Summer Cloak. (I ask Docr. Church)
2 caps
i Fann
I wish these may please you, I shall be gratified if they do, pray
write me, I will attend to all your Commands.
Adieu my D»" Girl, and believe me to be with great Esteem &
Affection.
Yours without Reserve,
JOHN HANCOCK.
Remember me to Katy Brackett.
It is to be hoped that the heart of John Hancock was
soothed by a note from Miss " Dolly," and that he was
comforted by receiving the simple testimonial, a watch-
string, for which he expressed a wish.
As may well be supposed, Hancock's shrewd, design-
204 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
ing Aunt Lyclia was a guest with Miss Ouincy at the
home of Thaddeus Burr ; and had it not been for her
presence, family history might have taken a different
turn.
A nephew of their host, Aaron Burr, came as a guest
to the home ; and his magnetic influence soon had an
effect upon the beautiful young lady guest. But the
watchful aunt prevented the charmer from thwarting
the Hancock family plans, and on the 28th day of the
following August there was a great wedding at Fairfield.
John Hancock, the President of the Continental Con
gress, and Miss Dorothy Quincy were joined in marriage
in style befitting the family situation.
The noted couple went at once to Philadelphia, and
took up their abode, thus providing a retreat for the
weary president when he daily retired from the duties
of Congress.
While it was not prudent for Hancock to return to
Boston during the siege, he kept in touch with the
patriots who were there, communication being kept up
by the hand of his servant. See letter of John Adams
to his wife : —
PHILADELPHIA, 29 May, 1775.
Our amiable friend Hancock, who, by the way, is our President,
is to send his servant to-morrow to Cambridge. I am to send a
few lines by him. If his man should come to you, to deliver this
letter, treat him very kindly, because he is a kind, humane, clever
fellow.
JOHN HANCOCK.
President of Continental Congress.
HANCOCK'S LETTER TO WASHINGTON 2C>5
CHAPTER XIX
HANCOCK'S LETTER TO WASHINGTON IN REGARD TO BOM-
HARDING BOSTON. LETTER TO CANADA. REJOICING AT
WASHINGTON'S REPORT OF THE EVACUATION OF BOSTON.
- OCCUPANTS OF HANCOCK MANSION DURING THE SIEGE OF
BOSTON. HANCOCK DENOUNCES CHARGE AGAINST THE
PROVINCES. HANCOCK AND HIS WIFE INVITE GENERAL AND
LADY WASHINGTON TO THEIR HOME AT PHILADELPHIA.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. FLIGHT TO BALTIMORE.
BIRTH OF A DAUGHTER TO JOHN AND DOROTHY HANCOCK.
ALTHOUGH Hancock had a new-found treasure with
him at Philadelphia, he turned at times with solicitude
to Boston, where his property was at the mercy of the
enemy. He thought of that army besieging the town,
but he knew their leader was friendly ; and to Wash
ington, located in the beautiful home on "Tory Row,"
Cambridge, Hancock wrote on Dec. 22, 1775 : —
For your future proceedings, I must beg leave to refer you to
the inclosed resolutions. I would just inform you that the last re
solve, relative to an attack upon Boston, passed after a most serious
debate in a committee of the whole house. You are now left to the
dictates of prudence and your own judgment. May God crown
your attempt with success. I most heartily wish it, though, individ
ually, I may be the greatest sufferer.
To the inhabitants of Canada Hancock says : —
Let it be the pride of those whose souls are warmed and illu
minated by the sacred flames of freedom, to be discouraged by no
206 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
check, and to surmount every obstacle that may be interposed be
tween them and the darling object of their wishes. We anticipate,
in our pleased imaginations, the happy period when the standard of
tyranny shall find no place in North America.
In addressing General Philip Schuyler, after the sur
render of Montreal, Hancock writes : —
You have hitherto risen superior to a thousand difficulties, in
giving freedom to a great and an oppressed people. You have
already reaped many laurels, but a plentiful harvest still invites you.
Proceed, therefore, and let the footsteps of victory open a way for
the blessings of liberty, and the happiness of a well-ordered govern
ment to visit that extensive domain. Consider that the road to
glory is seldom strewed with flowers ; and that, when the black and
bloody standard of tyranny is erected in
a land possessed by freemen, patriots
cease to remain inactive spectators of
their country's fall.
In a letter to General Mont
gomery, in regard to the surren
der of Montreal, Hancock writes :
The Congress, utterly abhorrent from
every species of cruelty to prisoners, and
GENERAL GEORGE determined to adhere to this benevolent
WASHINGTON. maxim till the conduct of their enemies
renders a deviation from it indispensably
necessary, will ever applaud their officers for beautifully blending
the Christian with the conqueror, and never, in endeavoring to
acquire the character of the hero, to lose that of the man.
Remembering that on March 17, 1776, General Gage,
with the British army and a thousand or more Loyalists
(Tories), abandoned Boston, and that Washington en
tered the evacuated town at once, we are curious to
know how the good news affected the absent Boston
merchant, John Hancock.
THE EVACUATION OF BOSTON 2O/
This we find in a letter of eight days later to the
commander-iii-chief : —
SIR : I had the honor of receiving yesterday yours of the I9tll>
containing the agreeable information of the ministerial troops hav
ing abandoned Boston, the partial victory we have obtained over
them in that quarter, I hope, will turn out a happy presage of a
more general one. Whatever place may he the object of their des
tination, it must certainly give a sincere pleasure to every friend
of the country to see the most diligent preparations everywhere
making to receive them. What may be their views, it is, indeed,
impossible to tell with any degree of exactness. We have all the
reason, however, from the rage of disappointment and revenge, to
expect the worst. Nor have I any doubt that, as far as their power
extends, they will inflict every species of calamity upon us. The
same Providence that has baffled their attempt against the Province
of Massachusetts Bay will, I trust, defeat the deep-laid scheme,
they are now meditating against some other part of our country.
The intelligence that our army had got possession of Boston,
you will readily suppose, gave me heartfelt pleasure. I beg sir, you
will be pleased to accept my warmest thanks for the attention
you Jiave showed to my property in that town. I have only to
request that Capt. Cazneau will continue to look after and take care
that it be no ways destroyed or damaged. This success of our
arms naturally calls upon me to congratulate you, sir, to whose wis
dom and conduct it has been owing. Permit me to add, that if a
constant discharge of the most important duties, and the fame
attending thereon, can afford genuine satisfaction, the pleasure you
feel must be the most rational and exalted.
[Letter from "Book of the Signers."]
PHILADELPHIA, 2ist March, 1776.
Thursday Evening.
SIR : I am this moment honor'd with your favV of I3th by
Express which I shall lay before Congress in the morning. I
expect immediately to be order'd to Dispatch the first Fessenden to
you when I shall have the honour to write you very particularly.
This is only to inform you that I have sent Two hundred and fifty
Thousand Dollars for the use of the army under your command. In
the care of Thomas Hanson, John Donaldson & Moses Franks,
Esqrs, gentlemen of character, who I am confident will meet your
208 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
notice. I am with the fullest sentiments of Esteem. Sir Your very
humble servt,
JOHN HANCOCK, Pres'cTt.
His EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.
On Public Service
Superscribed
To His EXCELLENCY, GENERAL WASHINGTON,
Commander in Chief of the Army of the United Colonies, &=<;.
at Cambridge.
JOHN HANCOCK, by Mr. Hanson.
The official letter, with congratulations from Con
gress, under date of April 2, bears the signature of
John Hancock.
Hancock's private letter to Washington furnishes an
intimation of the facts which the reader, interested in
the Hancock mansion, must desire to know.
The conduct of Gage's troops about the premises,
before the family vacated, made the members the more
anxious in their absence. The property was intrusted
to Captain Cazneau,1 one of John Hancock's sailing-
masters, who had no employment when the blockade
went into effect. How far his vigilance may have been
helpful, cannot be known ; but the mansion was spared,
although not without signs of the rough treatment of
the officers who enjoyed its luxuriant furnishings, as a
.subsequent letter reveals.
This mansion was occupied soon after April 19, 1775,
by Earl Percy, who took possession by order of General
Gage. General Clinton was located there for a time.
Both house and stables were in part occupied by the
1 Captain Isaac Cazneau, of Huguenot descent, nephew of 1'aix Cnz-
neau, who kept the Sun Tavern of Boston.
THE UNPREPARED STATE OF THE COLONIES 2OQ
wounded brought over to Boston on the night succeed
ing the Battle of Bunker Hill.1
Hancock says on April 30, 1776:-
The unprepared state of the colonies, on the commencement
of the war, and the almost total want of everything necessary to
carry it on, are the true sources from whence all our difficulties have
proceeded. This fact, however, furnishes a proof most striking of
the weakness or wickedness of those who charge them with an origi
nal intention of withdrawing from the government of Great Britain,
and erecting an independent empire. Had such a scheme been
formed, the most warlike preparations would have been necessary
to effect it.
This truthful analysis of the situation tallied with
Franklin's statement to Lord Chatham just before April
!9» I775» "I never heard from any person the least
expression of a wish for separation ; " also with Washing
ton's words in the previous October, " No such thing as
independence is desired by any thinking man in Amer
ica ;" and with Jefferson's statement, "Before the iQth
of April, 1775, I never heard a whisper of a disposi
tion to separate from Great Britain." John Adams's
statement, published a month before open hostilities,
breathes the same. It is, "That there are any who pant
after independence is the greatest slander in the Prov
ince."
The removal of the seat of war from New England
gave occasion for the commander-in-chief to proceed to
New York, where he made his headquarters. But the
1 The town, although it has suffered greatly, is not in so bad a state
as I expected to find it; and I have a particular pleasure in being able to
inform you, sir, that your house has received no damage worth mention
ing. Your furniture is in tolerable order, and the family pictures are all
left entire and untouched. — WASHINGTON TO HANCOCK.
Tuesday, March 9.
210 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
Continental Congress, on May 16, passed a resolution
calling Washington to Philadelphia, in order to advise
with them as to future movements. The expected visit
gave Hancock an opportunity to express his kindly feel
ing towards Washington, which is seen in the following
letter : -
I reside in an airy, open part of the city, in Arch Street and
Fourth Street. Your favor of the 2o*h inst. I received this morning,
and cannot help expressing the very great pleasure it would afford
Mrs. Hancock and myself to have the happiness of accommodating
you during Your stay in this city. As the house I live in is large
and roomy, it will be entirely in Your power to live in that manner
you should wish. Mrs. Washington may be as retired as she pleases,
while under inoculation,1 and Mrs. Hancock will esteem it an honor
to have Mrs. Washington inoculated in her house ; and as I am in
formed Mr. Randolph has not any lady about his house to take the
necessary care of Mrs. Washington, I flatter myself she will be as
well attended in my family.
In short, sir, I must take the freedom to repeat my wish, that
You will be pleased to condescend to dwell under my roof. I assure
you, sir, I will do all in my power to render your stay agreeable,
and my house shall be entirely at your disposal. I must, however,
submit this to your determination and only add that you will pecu
liarly gratify Mrs. H. and myself, in affording me an opportunity of
convincing you of this truth, that I am, with every sentiment of re
gard for you and your connections, and with much esteem, dear sir,
Your faithful and most obedient humble servant.
The result of the deliberations of Congress is learned
from the following letter of July 6, 1/76, to Washing
ton : —
The Congress, for some days past, have had their attention oc
cupied by one of the most interesting and important subjects that
could possibly come before them, or any other assembly of men.
1 Having had the small-pox when a young man, at Barbadoes, Wash
ington felt safe in the presence of that dreaded malady, which caused so
much trouble during the war ; but he was anxious for Mrs. Washington to
be inoculated, as the means of prevention adopted at that time.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 211
Although it is not possible to foresee consequences of human ac
tions, yet it is, nevertheless, a duty we owe ourselves and posterity,
in all our public counsels, to decide in the best manner we are able,
and to trust the event to that Being, who controls both causes and
events, to bring about his own determinations. Impressed with
this sentiment, and at the same time fully convinced that our affairs
may take a more favorable turn, the Congress have judged it neces
sary to dissolve all connections between Great Britain and the
American Colonies, and to declare them free and independent States,
as you will perceive by the enclosed Declaration, which I am di
rected by Congress to transmit to you, and to request you will have
proclaimed at the head of the army, in the way you shall think most
proper.
It was to this Declaration that John Hancock was
first to affix his signature, saying, " I write so that George
the Third may read without his spectacles." 1
While the patriots of the various towns had, by their
votes, encouraged their representatives to declare the
country's independence, there were not wanting those
who believed and said that John Hancock and all who
had put their names on that document had signed their
death-warrant.
Among those who urged the president to this bold
act was his father-in-law, Edmund Quincy, who in a let
ter, under date of March 25, 1776, said : —
Truly I think that the member of the House of Commons, who,
in a ludicrous manner, inquired at what time the Americans were
emancipated might have saved himself the trouble by looking into
Sir William Blackstone's " Commentaries," vol. i., p. 233, upon the
duties of kings, where he would have found it to be a maxim of
common law: " When protection ceaseth, allegiance ceaseth to be
the duty of subjects." — Mass. Historical Society, 1858-1860.
1 The signature of the President of the Continental Congress, seen upon
the Declaration of Independence, has been characterized as evidence of
egotism, but will be seen to appear in very similar style in private letters
to Mrs. Hancock, penned for no other eyes than those of his beloved wife.
212 JOHN HAATCOCK, HIS BOOK
People may disagree as to the inherent and acquired
ability of Hancock. There may be varied opinions as
to the motives of his declarations, oral and written, and
one overt act may be allowed to outweigh scores of cred
itable ones ; but his name is immortal, and to be read
upon the Declaration of Independence " without specta
cles " by every lover of liberty and by every would-be
tyrant. (See Frontispiece?)
We may imagine that Hancock took peculiar pride in
his communication to General Artemas Ward,1 under the
same date as that to Washington ; for it was to the peo
ple of Boston and the entire Province of Massachusetts.
PHILADELPHIA, July 6, 1776.
SIR : The enclosed Declaration of Independence, I am directed
to transmit to you with a request that you will have it proclaimed at
the head of the troops under your command in the way you shall
think most proper. I have only time to add, that the importance
of it will naturally suggest the Propriety of proclaiming it in such a
manner, as that the whole army may be fully appraised of it.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your most obed. and very h'ble sevX
JOHN HANCOCK, Presdt.
In an eloquent appeal to the thirteen United States,
dated at Philadelphia, Sept. 24, 1776, Hancock says : —
Let us convince our enemies that, as we are entered into the
present contest for the defence of our liberties, so we are resolved,
with the firmest reliance on Heaven for the justice of our cause,
never to relinquish it, but rather to perish in the ruins of it. If we
do but remain firm, — if we are not dismayed at the little shocks of
fortune, and are determined, at all hazards, that we will be free,—
I am persuaded under the gracious smiles of Providence, assisted by
our own most strenuous endeavors, we shall finally succeed, agreea-
1 Aitemas Ward kept a general store at Shrewsbury, purchasing
broadcloth, etc., of John Hancock. — OLD TIMES IN SHREWSBURY, by
Miss Elizabeth Ward.
MRS. JOHN HANCOCK.
CONGRESS MEETS AT HALT/MOKE 21$
bly to our wishes, and thereby establish the independence, the hap
piness, and the glory of the United States of America.
In a letter to several States dated Philadelphia, Oct.
9, 1 776, Hancock writes : —
The Congress, for very obvious reasons, are extremely anxious
to keep the army together. The dangerous consequences of their
breaking up, and the difficulty of forming a new one, are inconceiv
able. Were this barrier once removed, military power would quickly
spread desolation and ruin over the face of our country. The im
portance, and, indeed, the absolute necessity, of filling up the army,
of providing for the troops, and engaging them to serve during the
war, is so apparent, and has been so frequently urged, that I shall
only request your attention to the resolve of Congress on this sub
ject ; and beseech you by that love you have for your country, her
rights and liberties, to exert yourselves to carry them Speedily and
effectually, as the only means of preserving her in this her critical
and alarming situation.
The next letter at our command was written from
Baltimore. The occasion of the change of location was
the unpleasant nearness of the British army. Washing
ton plainly saw, after his retreat through the Jerseys,
that the enemy intended to take possession of Philadel
phia as soon as the Delaware River should be frozen
over ; and that city seemed to be inevitably lost. For
greater safety, Congress changed their place of meeting
from Philadelphia to Baltimore. It was Dec. 12, 1776,
when the members gathered up their papers, and made
haste to their new quarters. Not one of the noted men
had more occasion for anxiety at this critical period than
the president.
There was soon added to his family an infant daugh
ter, who was given the name of the honored aunt, Lydia
Henchman. The child and its mother were objects of
Hancock's tenderest solicitude, and not until he saw
214 JOHN HA A' COCK, 7/AV HOOK
them comfortably located at the home of Mr. Samuel
Purviance in Baltimore could he turn his attention to the
protection of the infant republic.
It was on Dec. 25, 1776, that Hancock wrote to New
England thus : —
It is needless to use arguments on this occasion, or to paint the
dreadful consequences, to gentlemen already fully acquainted with
them, of leaving the back settlements of the New England States
open to the ravages of our merciless foes. If anything can add to
your exertions, at this time, it must be the reflection that your own
most immediate safety calls upon you to strain every nerve. Should
we heedlessly abandon the post of Ticonderoga, we give up incon
ceivable advantages. Should we resolutely maintain it, — and it is
extremely capable of defence, we may bid defiance to Gen. Carleton,
and the northern army under his command. But our exertions for
this purpose must be immediate, or they will not avail anything.
CONGRESS RETURNS TO PHILADELPHIA 215
CHAPTER XX
CONGRESS RETURNS TO PHILADELPHIA. LETTER TO MRS.
HANCOCK. HANCOCK RESIGNS AS PRESIDENT OF CON
GRESS. RETURNS TO BOSTON. RECEPTION. ELECTED TO
TOWN OFFICE. MILITARY SERVICE. RECEPTION TO FRENCH
FLEET. HANCOCK PAYS BILLS FOR BOSTON'S HONOR.
So successful was Washington, the commander-in-chief,
when vested with unlimited power, and the danger that
threatened Philadelphia so far removed, that Congress
returned in the following February. Hancock person
ally made the change of residence with little difficulty ;
but it was not so easy to remove his family and re-estab
lish his home. His heart yearned for his wife and babe,
and two letters written on succeeding days afford much
intelligence. By them we arc forcibly reminded of the
inconvenience of travel at the time ; that Hancock re
ceived family supplies from Boston ; that he did not for-
fet those who befriended him in trouble, even though
to
he had nothing more than codfish, a staple of Massachu
setts, to offer in reward. He had experienced some diffi
culty at one of the taverns on the route, and wisely
warned Mrs. Hancock against it. While he would have
the travelling company enjoy a " genteel dinner," he
was particular that it was at his expense. Burdened
with cares and short of money, he hopes relief may
come with his family.
An artist could give no more vivid picture of the
president than is afforded by his own words when he
2l6 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
pauses in his duties to eat a plate of " minc'd veal "
brought in by his servant "Jo."
[Letter in possession of Mrs. William Wales.]
PHILADELPHIA loth Marcn 1777.
10 o'clock evening.
MY DEAR DEAR DOLLY : My Detention at the Ferry & the bad
ness of the Roads prevented my arriving here untill Friday Evening.
I put my things into Mr. Williams1 house, and went in pursuit
of Lodgings. Neither Mrs. Yard nor Lucy could accommodate me.
I then went to Smith's & borrowed Two Blankets & returned to my
own house ; soon after which, Mrs. Smith sent me up a very hand
some supper, with a Table cloth, Knives & forks, plates, salt, a
print of Butter, Tea, double refined Sugar, a Bowl of Cream, a Loaf
of Bread &c. &c. & here I have remained & shall do so waiting your
arrival. Indeed Mrs. Smith oblig'd me much. I however lead a
doleful lonesome life. Tho' on Saturday, I dined at Dr. Shippins'.
He desires his Regds. he is as lonesome as I. On Saturday I sat
clown to Dinner at the little table with Folger on a piece of Roast
Beef with Potatoes. We drank your health with all our Baltimore
friends. Last night Miss Lucy came to see me, & this morning,
while I was at Breakfast on Tea with a pewter tea-spoon, Mrs.
Yard came in. she could not stay to Breakfast with me. I spend
my evenings at home, snuff my candles with a pair of scissors,
which Lucy seeing, sent me a pair of snuffers, & dipping the gravy
out of the Dish with my pewter tea spoon, she sent me a large silver
spoon, and two silver tea spoons — that I am now quite rich.
I shall make out as well as I can, but I assure you, my Dear
Soul, I long to have you here, & I know you will be as expeditious
as you can. When I part from you again it must be a very extraor
dinary occasion. I have sent everywhere to get a gold or silver
rattle for the child with a coral to send, but cannot get one. I will
have one if possible on yr. coming. I have sent a sash for her
& two little papers of pins for you. If you do not want them you
can give them away.
However unsettled things may be I could not help sending for
you as I cannot live in this way. We have an abundance of lies.
The current report is General Howe is bent on coming here, an
other report is that the Mercht's at New York are packing their goods
& putting them on board ships & that the troops are going away,
neither of which do I believe. We must, however take our chances,
LETTER TO MRS. HANCOCK 2 1/
this you may depend on, that you will be ever the object of my
utmost care & attention.
I have been exceedingly busy, since I have been here, tho1 have
not yet made a Congress, are waiting for the South Carolina gentle
men. If Capt. Hammond is arriv'd with any things from Boston,
You will have them put in the waggons & brought here. If she
should not be arriv'd leave the Receipt with Mr. S. Purviance &
desire him to receive the things & send them to me. The inclosed
Letter give to Mr. Newhouse, one of the Waggoners, Send for him
& Let him know when You will be ready. I hope you will be able
to pack up all your things quickly £ have them on the way, & that
you will soon follow, be careful in packing & do not leave anything
behind. Let Harry see that every thing is safely stored in the
waggons. I send Mr. McClosky, he will be very useful. I am
confident Mr. & Mrs. Hilligas will assist you, pray my best Regds.
to them. I have not had a moments time to go to their house, but
intend it today £ shall write Mr. Hilligas by the Post. Young Mr.
Hilligas got here on Saturday, he is well, he delivered me your
letter & one from his father. I was exceeding glad to hear from
you & hope soon to receive another Letter. I know you will set off
as soon as You can. endeavor to make good stages. You may
easily lodge at Mr. Steles1 at Bush the first night. It is a good
house. However I must leave those matters to you as the Road,
must in a great measure determine your Stages. I do not imagine
there is any danger of the small-pox on the Road. Wilmington is
the most dangerous, but perhaps you can order your stage so as not
to lodge at Wilmington, but go on to Chester. I want to get
somebody cleaver to accompany you. I hope to send one to you,
but if I should not be able, you must make out as well as you can.
ii Jfarc/i.
I will write you by the Post tomorrow. I can't add as I am now
calTd on. Take good care of Lydia. I hope no accident will
happen. Inclosed you have a few memo, as to pack'g, &c. which I
submit to your perusal.
My best regd's to Mr. & Mrs. Purviance Capt Nicholson & Lady,
Mr. Luce & family & indeed all friends. My love to Miss Katy,
tell her to Ransack the house & leave nothing behind. The Wag
goners will attend you at all times. Remember me to all in the
family. May every blessing of an Indulgent providence attend you.
I most sincerely wish you a good journey £ hope I shall soon, very
2l8 JO II A? HANCOCK, II1S BOOK
soon, have the happiness of seeing you with the utmost affection
and Love. My Dear Dolly,
I am yours forever JOHN HANCOCK.
Doctor Bond call'd on me, Desir'd his compliments. He will
inoculate the child as soon as it comes.
Mrs. Washington got here on Saturday. I went to see her.
She told me she Drank tea with you.
Let Harry take the Continental Horse, Saddle & Bridle, that I
left at Mr. Purviance's & tell Mr. Purviance to charge his keeping
in his public credit. If Capt. Hardy returns the Horse I lent him
with the Saddle & Bridle he must also come. Get the heavy wag
gon off as soon as you can, that they may be here as early as pos
sible, as we shall much want the things after you get here. I have
got your bundle safe with the Petticoat, Table Cloth, I have not
sent it as I thought you would not want it.
After one hundred and twenty-one years, these two
letters, written by John Hancock to his wife on suc
cessive days, are brought together. The former, given
to Mrs. William Wales by Mrs. Hancock, has never be
fore been published ; the latter has been published in
the New England Magazine.
PHILADELPHIA, nth March, 1777.
9 o'clock Evening.
MY DEAREST DOLLY: No Congress to-day, and I have been as
busily employ'd as you can conceive ; quite lonesome £ in a domes-
tick scituation that ought to be Relieved as speedily as possible,
this Relief depends upon you, and the greater Dispatch you make
& the Sooner you arrive here, the more speedy will be my relief.
I dispatched Harry, McClosky & Dennis this morning with Horses
& a Waggon as winged Messengers to bring you along. God grant
you a speedy and safe Journey to me. Mr. Pluckrose the Bearer
of this going for Mrs. Morris, I have engaged him to proceed on to
Baltimore to deliver you this ; I wrote you this morning to bring all
the things that came from Boston to this place, but should they be
landed before you leave Baltimore, I could wish you would present
One Quintal of the Salt Fish, & three or four Loaves of the Sugar
to Mr. Sam1! Purviance, or in case they should not be landed, leave
directions to have those articles taken out & presented to Mr. P.
LETTER TO MRS. HANCOCK 2IQ
with our Compliments. I forget what other things there are, but
if you choose to make presents of any of them, I pray you to do it.
If in the prosecution of your Journey you can avoid lodging at the
head of Elk, I wish you would, it is not so good as the other houses,
but this must depend on Circumstances ; I wish to make yor journey
as agreeable as possible. Should any Gentlemen & Ladies accom
pany you out of Town do send McClosky forward to order a hand
some Dinner and I beg you will pay every Expence, order McClosky
to direct the Landlord not to Receive a single farthing from any
one but by your Direction, & order a genteel Dinner ; plenty —
If Mr. Thomson cannot be Ready with his Waggons as soon as
you are, do not wait, but part of the Guard with an Officer must
attend yours, & part be left to guard his, I only wish to have you
here, and if you cannot readily attend to the Return of the things
borrowed of Mr. Dugan, leave them in the Care of some trusty
person to deliver them and pay him for his trouble. Am I not to
have another letter from you, surely I must. I shall send off Mr.
Rush a Tailor to-morrow or next day to meet you. I wish I could
do better for you, but we must Ruff it ; I am so harassed with ap
plications, & have been sending off Expresses to Call all the Mem
bers here, that I have as much as I can Turn my hands to ; I don't
get down to dinner, Catch a Bit, I write, & then at it again . . .
[the writing is illegible here] ... if it promotes the cause I am
happy, do beg Mr. Hillegas to send some money by my Waggons,
or I shall be worn out with applications, pray him to Take pity on
me, I have lent my own Stock already to stop some mouths.
My respects to Mr. & Mrs. Hilligas, they must excuse my not
writing now, I have not seen their son since he deliver'd me your
Letter, I asked him to Call, but I suppose he is so engaged with
his Connections, he has not had time, I could wish to have it in my
power to do him any Service for the great regard I bear to his
worthy Parents, I assure you I really love them, I wish they were
Coming with you, I could then have a Family where I could with
pleasure go, & ask them a hundred Questions, & take a thousand
Liberties with them, that I cannot do in any Family now here, I
shall Regret their absence, but I am Determin'd to make a point of
having them up, for I cannot attend to the applications that are
made to me in consequence of the Treasurer's absence ; he must
come, I shall come if I have any Influence.
Lucy & Nancy call'd on me, I was busy over papers, we drank
a glass together to our Baltimore Friends, I waited on them home,
220 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
& return'd to my Cottage ; Jo comes in with a plate of mincM Veal,
that I must stop, I shall take the plate in one hand, the knife in the
other, without cloath, or any Comfort, & Eat a little £ then to
writing, for I have not Room on the Table to put a plate, I am up
to the eyes in papers. Adieu for the present.
The Inclosed Letter Lucy just sent me for you. — Supper is over,
no Relish, nor shall I till I have you here, & I wish Mr. & Mrs. Hil-
ligas to join us at Supper on Tuesday Eveng, when I shall expect
you. I shall have Fires made & everything ready for yor Recep
tion, tho' I don't mean to hurry you beyond measure, do as you
like, don't fatigue yourself in Travelling too fast. I keep Josh on
trial, he promises Reformation, he knows fully his fate. My best
Regards to Mr. & Mrs. Purviance, to Mr. Lay & Family, Capt.
Nicholson £ wife, Mr. Stewart & wife & all Friends. Tell Mr.
Purviance £ Capt. Nicholson I shall write them fully in a day or
two and Determine all matters to their satisfaction, I am so worried
that I cannot even steal time to write them now. Tell Mr. Purvi
ance I Rec'd his Letter by Post and will forward the Letters he
Inclos'd me to Boston & Newbury to-morrow. Pray let Dr. Wisen-
hall know that I Rec'd his Letter, & am much obliged for his atten
tion to the Child, & that I will do everything in my power for the
Gentleman who he mentions in his Letter, you will Recompense
him for Calling to see the Child.
Remember me to all in the Family. If Nancy inclines to come
in the Waggon, £ you like it she may Come, do as you like in every
instance, my love to Miss Katy, tell her if anything is left behind,
I shall have at her, for she Ransack'd when we left Philad'a. & she
must do the same now —
The Opinion of some seems to be that the Troops will leave
New York, where bound none yet know ; one thing I know that
they can't at present come here, perhaps they are going to Boston,
or up North River. Time will discover. Never fear, we shall get
the day finally with the smiles of heaven.
Do Take precious Care of our dear little Lydia.
Adieu. I long to see You ; Take Care of Yourself; I am,
my Dear Girl
Yours most affectionately
JOHN HANCOCK.
Do let Harry Buy & bring I or 2 Bushells of Parsnips. Bring
all the wine, none to be got here.
II E DECIDES TO RESIGN HIS POSITION 221
John Hancock continued in Philadelphia, with an oc
casional change, through the summer and in the autumn
of the year 1777; but all the time he was struggling
with the increasing cares of Congress, and fighting
against his physical infirmities, aggravated by the un-
healthful atmosphere of the locality. But it is evident
that Mrs. Hancock visited Massachusetts during the
summer, and that Mr. Hancock wrote several letters to
her without a reply. One directed "to Mrs. Hancock
at Worcester or Bostdn " was published in the N. E.
Historical Register \\\ 1858. It is given here with due
credit to its source, as it fills a vacancy at this point,
and tells of the determination of the President to resign
his position.
YORK TOWN, October i8ti» 1777.
Mv DEAR DOLLY,
I am now at this Date £ not a line from you. Nor a single word
have I heard from you since your Letter by Dodd, immediately upon
your arrival at Worcester, which you may judge affects me not a
little, but I must submit & will only say that I expected oftener to
have been the object of your attention.
This is my sixth Letter to you. The former ones I hope you
have Rec'd, by the Completion of those Letters you will I dare say,
be apprehensive that my stay here was nearly Determined for the
winter & that I had thoughts of soliciting your Return to me. My
thoughts on that subject were for a season serious, but various
reasons have occurred to induce me to alter my Resolutions, and I
am now to inform you that I have come to a fixed Determination to
Return to Boston for a short time, & I have notified Congress in
form of my Intentions. You will therefore please immediately
on Receipt of this to tell Mr. Sprigs to prepare the Light Carriage
£ Four Horses & himself to be ready to proceed on to Hartford or
Fairfield, as I shall hereafter direct to meet me on the Road. If
my old Black Horses are not able to perform the journey he must
hire Two. The particular time of my setting out & when, (I would
have Sprigs come forward) you shall know by Dodd, the Express
who I shall Dispatch tomorrow morning. My present Intention is
to leave Congress in eight day, but more particulars in my next,
222 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
I shall hope & must Desire that you will take a Seat in the carriage
& meet me on the Road, which will much advance your health, &
you may be assurd will be highly satisfactory to me, & I have De
sired Mr. Bant to accompany you in the carriage & when we meet
he can take my sulkey and I return with you in the carriage to town.
Mr. Bant must hire or borrow a Servant to attend you on Horse
back, as Harry £ Ned are both with me, & Joe is not suitable. My
dear, I hope your health will admit of your coming with Mr. Bant.
I long to see you. I shall close all my Business in three Days &
indeed have already nearly finished, & when once I set out shall
travel with great speed. Nothing will prevent my seeing you soon,
with the leave of providence ; but a prevention of passing the North
River, I shall push hard to get over, even if I go as far as Albany.
I need not tell you there will be no occasion of your writing me
after the Receipt of this. My best wishes attend you for every
good. I have much to say, which I leave to a Cheerful Evening
with you in person.
God Bless you my Dear Dolly
I am
Yours most affectionately
JOHN HANCOCK.
The next letter from Hancock to his wife is treasured
by Mrs. William Wales of Dorchester, and reads thus :—
DOVER (WITHIN 60 MILES OF HARTFORD),
Saturday i of Clock,
8 Xov. 1777.
MY DEAR : I am thus far on my journey to meet you, thank
Luck for it. I have gone thro1 many Difficulties on the Road, but
that I shall not mind. The Remembrance of these Difficulties will
vanish when I have the happiness of seeing You. I am still obliged
to have my foot wrapp'd up in Baize, but I brave all these things.
I hire this person to carry You this letter in Confidence it will meet
You at Hartford. I shall get along as fast as I can, but having a
party of Light horse with me and a waggon I do not travel so fast
as I otherwise should. What if you should on Monday morning
set out to meet me, on the Litchfield Road & then if I am not able
to reach Hartford that day, I shall have the satisfaction of seeing
You on the Road. If you think the ride will be too much I would
not have you undertake it, but I hope You will not ride many miles
before we shall meet, as I trust Mr. Bant is with You. my Regd's
XE TURNS TO BOSTON 22$
to him, my best wishes attend him. Remember me to Mrs. Collier,
for I suppose you are there. I am sorry I can not take Fairfield in
my way, but I crossed so high up it was not possible. I have much
to say, but refer all to the happy time when I shall be with you.
God bless you — my dear girl, and believe me with sincere affection.
Yours forever,
JOHN HANCOCK.
Mrs. McDagle this moment comes in to the Tavern £ is going
to dine with us.
For the farewell to Congress see Appendix IV.
It necessarily required some time for Hancock to ar
range his affairs so as to start for Boston ; but his plans
were well executed, and the returning ex-president was
gratified by meeting Mrs. Hancock, and having her
company through Connecticut and into Boston.
A Hartford journal of Nov. 19 gives us a glimpse of
them as they journey : —
On Friday last passed through this town, escorted by a party
of light dragoons, the Hon. John Hancock, President of the Ameri
can Congress, with his lady, on his way to Boston, after an absence,
on public business, of more than two and a half years.
Happily New England was rid of the enemy, and the
old family mansion was standing, to which Hancock
longed to conduct his family. Alas for the happy par
ents, that bud of promise had been early blighted, and
they made their way to Boston with mingled joy and
sorrow.1
We may well imagine the reception extended to this
notable couple as they returned to Boston.
"JoJin Hancock is at Jwme" were the words reported
from house to house ; and many an old neighbor donned
his cocked hat, and made haste to grasp the hand of the
long-absent man. Honored before, he was doubly hon-
1 Lydia Henchman Hancock died in infancy.
224 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
ored now, and happy in having a noble wife to share in
all the demonstrations of the town. With a conscious
ness of duty well performed, John Hancock must have
gone about the town, halting to express regret, as wan
ton destruction appeared to view, and again to rejoice
that Faneuil Hall, the State House, and South Meeting
House were left in as good condition as they were.
When the long-absent ones gathered once more in the
family pew in Brattle-street Church, prayers of thanks
giving went up from many hearts. It was this house
which received the bell, a gift from Hancock, that, ar
riving after the blockade, was brought to Boston by way
of Salem. The name of John Hancock, chiselled on a
corner-stone of this new meeting-house, had been re
moved by the angry hands of Gage's soldiers as an ex
pression of contempt for the merchant who had turned
against the king. The impression in the front wall,
made from a cannon-ball from the Patriot army, was none
the less a reminder of the situation than if it had been
a scar made by the enemy, as were many that left traces
of the occupancy of this new and costly house by the
British army.
It was but a few days after the return of John Han
cock to Boston that a town-meeting was held, Dec. 8,
1777 ; and the record of the day says : -
The inhabitants having brought in their votes, for a Modera
tor : upon sorting them it appeared that the Honble John Hancock,
Esq., was unanimously chosen Moderator of this meeting.
It was voted at this meeting that the thanks of the
town be extended to Hancock for the donation of one
hundred and fifty cords of wood to the poor of the town
in the time of distress. Seven days later, at another
ELECTED TO TOWN OFFICE 22$
town-meeting, Hancock received the entire vote for
moderator.
On Jan. 20, with Hancock in the chair, began the
discussion on Articles of Confederation and perpetual
union between the United States of America, lately
formed and proposed by the Continental Congress.
On March 5, at the meeting for the delivery of the
massacre oration, Hancock was in the chair. We may
imagine that his heart burned within him as he presided
in Faneuil Hall, walked to Old Brick Meeting House,
and there listened to his successor, Jonathan William
Austin, in the delivery of that annual oration. He
must have derived satisfaction from the revival of the
confidence of his townsmen, when he took the chair to
preside at the annual election of officers on March 9.
But at an adjourned meeting on the following day he
was absent because of a more important duty in the
House of Representatives. On the 2/th instant he was
again on duty, and no time seems to have been left
when he could attend to his private business.
On May 27 the voters assembled for the choice of
seven men to represent the town in the General Court.
Of the seven John Hancock received the -largest vote,
being three hundred and thirty-five.
Hancock is now missed for a few weeks from the
town-meetings. It might reasonably be supposed that
his power of endurance had become exhausted, but the
following letter explains the cause : —
YORK TOWN, June 23rd, 1778.
MY DEAREST DOLLY : — Mr. Taylor having agreeably to his
wish been Charged with some Dispatches for our Commissioners in
France, sets off for Boston immediately, & to Sail from thence as
Soon as the Packett is ready, by him I embrace the oppor'y of writ
ing you, altho' I wrote you Two Letters the Day before yesterday, &
226 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
this is my Seventh Letter, & not one word have I heard from you
since your departure from Boston. I am as well as the peculiar scit-
uation of this place will admit, but I can by no means in Justice to
myself continue long under such disagreeable Circumstances, I mean
in point of Living, the mode is so very different from what I have
been always accustom'd to, that to continue it long would prejudice
my health exceedingly. This moment the Post arriv'd, and to my
very great Surprise & Disappointment not a single line from Boston ;
I am not much dispos'd to Resent, but it feels exceedingly hard to
be slighted and neglect'd by those from whom I have a degree of
Right to expect different Conduct ; I would have hir'd any one to
have sent a few Lines just to let me know the State of your health,
but I must Endeavor not to be so Anxious £ be as easy as some
others seem to be. I will expect no letters nor write any, £ then
there will be no Disappointment ; So much for that. To be seri
ous, I shall write no more till I hear from you, this is agreeable to
my former promise. It really is not kind, when you must be sensi
ble that I must have been very anxious about you £ the little one.
Devote a little time to write me, it will please me much to hear of
you, I am sure you are dispos'd to oblige me, & I pray I may not be
disappointed in my opinion of your Disposition.
I hope this will meet you tolerably Recover'd from your late
Confinement, I wish to hear of your being below Stairs & able to
take the care of our Dear little one. I am much concerned about
your improving the fine Season in Riding. I am sorry I did not
take hir'd horses & leave you mine, but I beg you spare no Cost in
Riding for the Establishment and Continuance of your health, hire
horses whenever you are dispos'd to Ride, be as frugal & prudent in
other matters as is consistent with our Scituation ; I wish to know
every Occurrence since my departure, pray be particular as to your
health in your Letters & give me an exact state of little John. Does
Mrs. Brackett intend continuing with you? I beg she may at least
until my Return. My love to her, pray her to take great care of the
little fellow. As soon as the City of Philada is cleansed, I judge
Congress will remove thither, £ as soon as we have got over the
important Business now before Congress I shall solicit leave to Re
turn home, as it will not be necessary for so many of our Members
to be here, but of this more hereafter.
As I have wrote so many Letters & see no Returns, & as I am
called to attend Congress, I must Refer you to Mr. Taylor for every
particular relative to our Scituation.
MILITARY SERVICE 22/
My regards to Mr. & Mrs. Bant, my Brother & Sister, & indeed
to all Friends as if nam'd. Remember me to Sprigs and Harry, &
all in the Family.
Do let me have frequent Letters, you will oblige me much. My
best wishes ever attend you for the highest Felicity, & I am with
the utmost Affection and Love.
Yours for ever,
JOHN HANCOCK.
By this letter it appears that a little stranger had been
welcomed to the Hancock mansion during these busy
months. When the seal of baptism was placed upon
the fair brow, his name was declared to be — John
George Washington.
On Aug. 6 Hancock was back in Boston, and mode
rator of the meeting when action was taken in regard to
the return of the Loyalists.
The sentiment expressed by the voters was decidedly
against it ; and John Hancock was made chairman of a
committee to consider* the subject, and report.
On the following day Hancock set out on different
service. He was appointed on Feb. 8, by the General
Court, major-general of the Massachusetts Militia, by
virtue of which he now started at the head of the Cadet
Company, with other forces, to go to headquarters, to
engage in an enterprise in co-operation with the fleet of
the French admiral, the Count D'Estaing, against New
port,1 R.I. This enterprise, for various reasons, was
not successful, and Hancock was back in Boston in time
to prevent the count from having a cool reception ;
which because of misunderstanding would have been an
1 When Hancock was at Newport a letter was received from Edmund
Quincy by his daughter, Dorothy Hancock, in which the grandfather says,
" Pray kiss my little Washington for me. I hope he may enjoy the fruits
of his parents' patriotism."
228 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOA'
unfortunate circumstance, and would have dampened the
ardor of " our French allies."
At this time efforts were being made in the town to
have people curtail in the supplies for their table, be
cause of the scarcity of food and poverty surrounding
them, and it was unreasonable to suppose that the town
could honor herself in entertaining these guests ; but
Hancock entertained about forty officers of the fleet at
his home each day. One morning an unexpected com
pany arrived at the mansion to partake of the Colonel's
viands, when, in the language of Madam Hancock, " the
Common was bedizened with lace." The cooks were
driven to despair; and the exigency was only met by
sending the servants to milk the cows on the Common,
regardless of their owners.
The following letter was doubtless written to Mr.
Purviance at Baltimore at the time of the reception in
honor of the officers of the Frendh fleet : -
[From " Family Memorials," by Edward E. Salisbury.]
MONDAY NOON, 30 Angst, 1779.
DEAR SIR : The Philistines are coming upon me on Wednesday
next at Dinner. To he Serious, the Ambassador &c., &c., £c., are
to Dine with me on Wednesday, and I have nothing to give them,
nor from the present prospect of our Market do I see that I shall
be able to get any thing in Town ; I must beg the favr of you to
Recommend to my Man Harry where he can get some Chickens,
Ducks, Geese, Hams, Partridges, Mutton, or any thing that will
save my Reputation in a Dinner, and by all means some Butter ;
Be so good as to help me, and you will much oblige me; is there
any good Mellons or Peaches, or any good fruit, near you? Your
advice to Harry will much oblige me ; Excuse me, I am very trou
blesome ; Can I get a good Turkey ; I walkd in Town to-day ; I
dine on board the French Frigate to-morrow ; so you see how I
have Recovered.
God bless you ; if you see any thing good at Providence, do Buy
it for me. I am Your Real friend JOHN HANCOCK.
HANCOCK PAYS BILLS 1-OR BOSTON'S JIOXOR 22Q
The banquet given in Faneuil Hall to about five hun
dred of the French allies was to the credit of Boston,
but the expense was borne by John Hancock.
On Tuesday, the 29th, there was another town-meet
ing ; and it is not strange that Hancock was reported as
too lame to attend.
230 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
CHAPTER XXI
AGAIN IN GENERAL COURT. SEVERE ON THE LOYALISTS. IN
CONVENTION TO FORM THE STATE CONSTITUTION. ELECTED
THE FIRST GOVERNOR UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. REV.
DR. SAMUEL COOPER PREACHED THE FIRST ELECTION SER
MON. CALLS FOR FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION FROM GOV
ERNMENT. HANCOCK RESUMES BUSINESS. LETTERS TO
LONDON. ORDERS FOR FAMILY SUPPLIES.
IN the weeks and months that followed, John Han
cock was active in the General Court, and frequently
appeared in the chair at town-meeting. Being in the two
positions, he knew what the people expected of him, and
could exert his influence in carrying out their requests.
He was much engaged in considering applications of
absentees to be allowed to return to the town and Com
monwealth.
While there is fresh in our mind the general forgive
ness exercised towards the offenders in other wars, it is
hard to understand the acts of the successful party of
the Revolution.
They record themselves as follows : —
Resolved — that the Inhabitants of this Town will exert them
selves to the utmost in supporting the Civil Magistrate in the exe
cution of this Law, that those professed Enemies to our Rights and
Liberties, the first fomenters of our present Troubles, who have left
this Country and aided the British Tyrant in his worse than savage
measures, to deprive Americans of every thing that ought to be held
dear and sacred by any People, may not return and enjoy in com
mon, the fruits of what our immortal Patriots, have toiPd and bled
to procure us, and in some future time to be again the base and
FIRST GOVERNOR UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 231
cursed Instruments of British Seducers, in involving a happy Peo
ple in confusion and bloodshed, in order to realize the reward, and
private advantages held out to such Traitors by the enemies of
America.
In 1780 Hancock was elected a member of the con
vention that framed the Constitution, and upon its adop
tion was elected governor. He took the oath of office
in the Old State House ; and then the General Court
went to the Old Brick Meeting House, and listened to
the "Election Sermon." It was fitting that it should
be delivered by the governor's pastor, Rev. Dr. Samuel
Cooper.
Hancock continued by annual re-elections until 1785,
and after an interim of two years was re-elected, serving
from 1787 till his death, Oct. 8, 1793.
This is a period replete with material for the biogra
pher, and a time when Hancock devoted himself largely
to public business. (For Inaugural see Appendix V.)
Under date of Sept. 24, 1781, he wrote from Phila
delphia to Hon. Robert Morris, financier, saying : —
Pray my friend, when will be the properest time for me to be
considered for my expenses, while President of Congress? They
wrote me on the subject some two years ago, but I waived troubling
them, knowing the delicacy of their situation. Indeed, I kept no
account of my expenses ; nor had I time for it, as you well know
how my time was engrossed, and the labors and fatigue I under
went, and the expenses I must have necessarily incurred. I can
speak plain to you; confident I am that fifteen hundred pounds
sterling would not amount to the expenses I incurred as president.
In this I think I merit consideration, more especially as grants
have been made to all my successors.
There is no evidence that Hancock ever received any
compensation for his services in the important position
of President of the Continental Congress.
232 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
We now return to the Letter-book, from which we
have wandered to gather up some of the missing links
with which to make a connection, and make clear a
letter of 1783. In this is seen an attempt at a renewal
of friendship silent for nearly ten years. In the midst
of his public cares his infirmities have increased, until,
at times, life is a burden. We see that Gage's soldiers
did not spare his business-house, although they did not
destroy his dwelling. It is apparent by this letter that
he had already learned the truth of Swift's utterance,
" Censure is the tax a man pays to the public for being
eminent." The letter affords an intimation of the sev
ering of family ties by the departure of that class of
people derisively called Tories. William Bowes, Han
cock's cousin and trusted friend, left the country in
debt to his faithful friend and creditor ; but friendship
did not incline the merchant to forgiveness.
Mr. Hoskins, to whom the reader is introduced, was
a business-man of Boston, employed to adjust the many
accounts brought suddenly to a close at the opening of
the war. He was a Mason in St. Andrews, and also
the Grand Lodge ; and as secretary of that sent out the
notices for the funeral of General Warren (says Eleanor
Hoskins Waitt, a lineal descendant).
Hancock proudly announces to his friend Scott that
he has a little boy. But while we read his cheerful
words, we can but glance forward to the winter of 1787,
LETTERS TO LONDON 233
when that fond hope was blasted by the sudden death
of the boy, caused by an accident while skating.
BOSTON, Nov. 14, 1783.
DEAR SCOTT: I have been favored with your letter accompanied
with an Hamper of Porter & Two cheeses, for which I thank you
very kindly. They were excellent. I should have much sooner
wrote you had not ill health £ my public associations prevented, but,
thank God, I am now much recruited. I am rebuilding my store
upon the Dock which the Brittons burned to ashes when they were
in possession of Boston. I shall compleat it early in the spring
when I purpose to enter the Commercial Line upon the same plan
that I have pursued.
1 have for ten years past devoted myself to the concern of the
Public. I have not the vanity to think that I have been of very ex
tensive service in our late unhappy contest, but one thing I can
truly Boast, I sat out upon honest Principles & strictly adhered to
them to the close of the contest, and this I defy malice itself to con
trovert. I have lost many thousand sterlg, but, thank God, my
country is saved and by the smile of Heaven I am a free & Inde
pendent man, and now my friend I can pleasantly congratulate you
on the return of Peace which gives a countenance to retire from
Public Life & enjoy the sweets of Calm, Domestic Retirement &
Pursue Business merely for my own amusement.
I intended that Mr. Hoskins, a gentleman Conversant in Busi
ness & who for eighteen months past has been engaged in the set
tlement of my former Books, should have taken passage with Mr.
Foster, but I could not get ready. I purpose him to go by the next
opportunity which will be in about three weeks. He will take my
Invoices, and I mean him to examine accts. in England that have
been settled, for I rather think I shall be a gainer. Certain I am
many commissions will be discovered that ought to have been car
ried to my credit. I mean by Mr. Hoskins to include you in gen
eral power of attorney. The ship Thames, that I was 3-16 Invested
in, I have not heard a single line about. I have a Bill of ^500 that
I drew for her last cargo that has never been paid & many other
Bills that have not been paid, now laying with Barnards, Harrison
& Co., & the late Mr. Haley, that as Mr. Hoskins will be a stranger
in London, I must desire your assistance to him for which you shall
be satisfied. I mean one part of my plan of Business to be one
ship & one only, provided you can meet with one to your mind in
234 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
the River £ you to take the Command of her. I had rather you
would take a concern in her. I mean this vessel to bring out my
goods in the spring & to be kept running, if this is agreeable to
you. I wish you would be upon the lookout till Hoskins arrives
and you may pass upon one if you see it. I would not have one
above 130 or 140 tons. I however leave it to you. I am at a loss
who Hoskins should apply to in London. I have a great respect
for Mr. Harrison, tho1 we differ in Principles. Does he carry on
Business? I have no favors to ask, but I confess I should like you
should drop a hint to him on the subject. If any vessel should be
sailing for this place after you receive this, do give me your opinion.
I shall get Mr. Hoskins away as speedily as possible. & the in
closed Letter to Mrs. Haley, I request you will be kind enough to
deliver with your own hand, with my best Requests to wait till she
reads it. Having heard that she proposes a visit to America in the
Spring I have in my Letter, Solicited her acceptance of apartments
in my house, during her pleasure. You can inform her of my Situ
ation ; perhaps it is nearly as pleasant as any in town. Do urge
her acceptance, she shall be as unceremonious as she pleases, you
know me. I have Carriages & Servants at her service, in my power.
Perhaps if you should succeed in a vessel she might approve of the
opportunity of taking passage with you. I have mentioned to Mrs.
Haley that I have requested you to ask her opinion & advice as to a
few things I have wrote you for family use, & enclosed you have a
memo., which after taking every necessary advice, I could wish you
would put in hand ; do consult Mrs. Scott & Mr. William Foster as
to the Post Chariot. I have not time to write Mr. Eliot, but will by
Mr. Hoskins, as I am now busily employed in settling up my pub
lic concerns. I am determined in the course of this month to re
sign my command of this Commonwealth & return to private life,
after the many fatigues I have gone thro'. Do ask Mr. Samuel
Eliot if he does not really approve my Determination, as I leave the
Government under the public Conviction that a much better man be
my successor & I am really worn out with public business.
I shall defer what I have farther to say until Mr. Hoskins1 de
parture, by him I shall send money or Bills ; give me the earliest
notice of your intentions, whether you consent to go into the old
line or not, because my plans will be materially effected. Write me
by various opportunities. I shall make Mr. Harrison the offer of
my Business. It is at his pleasure to accept or reject. My pay will
be acceptable to others if not to him. I do not mean to court, but
LETTERS TO LONDON 235
I have a friendship for him, & if it is agreeable to him it will be to
me.
I mean even to close my acct. once a year & when I cannot do
that, I will quit. I wish to lay aside all diversity of sentiment for
with me that circumstance, neither in my public Line nor private
situation has occasioned a Breach of friendship.
God bless you, my good friend, my regard to your worthy family,
in which Mrs. Hancock joins me. I have a fine little boy, pray
what has become of that ungrateful, ungentlemanly base fellow of a
William Bowes? There is no Balm in Gilead for him. I would not
thus write of any one else, & I pray God however to forgive him. I
wish him no ill in the other world. I shall have my Recompense
for what he Rob'd me of, out of what he left here. I am
Your real friend
J. H.
By the enclosed letter to Mrs. Haley it is learned that
George Haley, Hancock's agent at the opening of the
war, has died, and his widow has forwarded the unset
tled account.
November 14, 1783.
To MRS. MARY HALEY —
London.
My public associations added to my ill state of health, have until
the present moment prevented my replying to your very polite let
ter of the i gth April last, which I have had the Honor to Receive.
I feel myself greatly obliged to your generous & truly noble ex
pression, and do with a sincere £ warm heart congratulate you upon
the happy return of Peace. In your letter was inclosed my acct.
with the late George Haley Esq. The final settlement of the acct.
I shall direct Mr. Hoskins upon his arrival to wait upon you to Ef
fect ; he is a gentleman who has been some time engaged in the
settlement of my affairs, previous to the Introduction of our un
happy Contest, & I fully intended to have been ready for his depar
ture in this Ship, but fear shall be obliged to defer it until the next,
which will be soon, by whom I shall write you again. In conse
quence of your letter, I have drawn upon you the following bills,
which you will please to honor. . . .
I have RecM. great satisfaction upon perusing a Letter from you
that Judge Wendall was so obliging as to communicate to me, as I
found it was your intention to visit America upon the return of the
236 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
pleasant season. I do assure you — Madam, I shall be happy to
receive you here, and give me leave, with the utmost sincerity to re
quest that you will be so obliging, as upon your arrival here, to per
mit me to conduct you to my Home, where you may rely you shall
meet from Mrs. Hancock £ myself an unceremonious and cheerful
reception, and where your abode, during your pleasure shall be
made as agreeable as any in Town, of which Capt. Scott or any
gentleman from this way can inform you, and I kindly hope you will
gratify me in my Request, at least until you meet with a more agree
ably accommodated scituation. I inclose this to Capt. Scott, whom
I have requested to deliver it to you. I have wrote to Scott upon
the subject of purchasing a vessel for me, and he to take the com
mand, as I propose again, engaging in Business & wish to have
Scott in a running vessel & perhaps if Scott succeeds that opportu
nity might not be unfavorable to your wishes as to a passage, he is
really an excellent Ship master & a gentleman I have a great regard
for. I have taken the freedom to ask Scott to apply to you for
your opinion & advice in a few articles I want for my family use. I
know your goodness will pardon the Liberty.
It will afford me at all times much pleasure to have it in my
power to render you or your Connections any Service, and I beg you
will believe me with Sentiments of Real Regard £ Esteem —
Dear Madam
Your much obed't. & humble serv't.
J. H.
To CAPT. JAMES SCOTT: —
Memo, of Sundry articles that Mr. Hancock is in want of for his
own use of service £ which he wishes Capt. Scott would put in
hand after advising with Mrs. Haley and Mrs. Harrison £ Mrs.
Sam'1 Eliot. In case Mr. Hoskins should not be arrived timely for
ORDFRS FOR FAMILY SUPPLIES 2$?
the things to be prepared so as Mr. HancocK may receive them in
the spring. A very neat & light Post Chaise or Chariot. Elegantly
neat, not made expensive by external Tawdry ornaments. The
coachman's seat to unship and ship, with a Pole & fills, so as occa
sionally to have the servants on the seat, or to ride Postilion ; the
box inside of the carriage to draw out, a good Lock & key to it, a
Lamp at each side of the carriage. A handsome travelling trunk,
made exactly to fit, with Leather straps to fasten it, a strong Lock
& key. To be Lined with Crimson Velvet, if not thought too heavy.
However Mr. Hancock submits to better taste than his own in Mrs.
Haley's and others. Capt. Scott will find Inclosed Mr. Hancock's
arms, which he would have neatly Introduced on the carriage, with
the crest on the other part of the carriage & the motto subjoined.
The ground paint work of the carriage to be stone yellow, that being
the color all his carriages bear. In short Mr. Hancock wants to
have executed a very neat little carriage. Elegant not fine. A set
of Spare Glasses, a set of spare springs. Blinds set with glass. A
set of Best Pewter, if Mr. Ellis is living, I beg he may make them.
6 Doz. very best Pewter Plates, with their proportion of proper
sizes, oval or long dishes for Saturday's Salt Fish. You know how it
used to be. My crest to be engraved in each Dish and Plate. Mr.
Hancock thinks Capt. Scott, Mr. Harrison £ Mr. Samuel Eliot
must have a perfect recollection of his large Parlor.
The furniture has stood from the finishing of the Room to the
present moment, but is now much worn & stands in need of a
Recruit, at least Mr. Hancock's son will want it, he therefore In
closes you the dimensions of the Room, windows, &c. £ requests
Capt. Scott will consult with Mrs. Haley, as to the Kind of Furni
ture that is most fashionable. I would not have it Yellow as my
chamber over that room is furnished with that Color. I think a
silk £ worsted furniture will be good enough. The window curtains
to be made to draw up. The window cushions of the same, and
twelve neat stuff back chairs to be covered with the same & a
sophia of the same. I wish the room to be tolerably decent, in its
furniture, but not extravagantly so. I leave it with my friends to
determine. You have also inclosed the dimensions of two Bed
Chambers for each of which I want Wilton carpets ; do let them be
neat. The British Officers who possessed my house totally defaced
& Ruined all my carpets. I must submit. I wish to have a hand
some silver tea urn, whether wrought or unwrought. I beg the favor
of Mrs. Haley's advice.
238 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
CHAPTER XXII
HANCOCK MANSION AND GARDENS. NOTED GUESTS ENTER
TAINED. HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES. MRS. JOHN HANCOCK'S
APPAREL. HANCOCK COACH. GOVERNOR JOHN HANCOCK
PAYS THE DEP/F TO NATURE. FUNERAL OF THE FIRST
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. MRS.
DOROTHY HANCOCK MARRIES CAPT. JAMES SCOTT. MA
DAME DOROTHY SCOTT AND GENERAL LAFAYETTE.
THE supplies ordered from England, in connection
with the concluding letter to Capt. Scott, naturally call
the reader's attention to the Hancock mansion ; and
without pausing to lament because of its destruction, we
content ourselves with what others have written of the
house and contents. (Appendix VI.)
The building was of stone, built in the substantial
manner favored by the wealthier Bostonians. The
walls were massive ; a balcony projected over the en
trance-door, upon which opened a large window of the
second story. The corners and window openings were
ornamented with Braintree stone, and the tiled roof was
surmounted by a balustrade. Dormer windows jutted
out from the roof, from which might be obtained a beau
tiful and extensive view. A low stone wall, on which
was placed a light wooden fence, enclosed the grounds.
The gate-posts were also of stone. A paved walk and
a dozen stone steps conducted to the mansion, situated
on rising ground at a little distance back from the street.
Before the door was a wide stone slab, worn by the feet
HANCOCK MANSION AND GARDENS 239
of the distinguished owner and his illustrious guests.
A hall of wood, sixty feet in length, designed for festive
occasions, was joined to the northern wing. At the
right of the entrance to the governor's mansion was the
reception-room, with furniture of bird's-eye maple cov
ered with rich damask. Out of this opened the dining-
hall referred to, in which Hancock gave the famous
breakfast to Admiral D'Estaing and his officers. Oppo
site this was a smaller apartment, the usual dining-room
of the family. Next adjoining was the china-room and
offices, with coach-house and barn behind. At the left
of the entrance was a second saloon, or family drawing-
room, the walls covered with crimson paper. The upper
and lower halls were hung with pictures of game, hunt
ing-scenes, and other subjects. Most of the furniture,
wall-papers, and draperies were imported from England
by Thomas Hancock. Passing through the hall, a flight
of steps led through the garden to a small summer-
house near Mt. Vernon Street. The grounds were laid
out in ornamental flower-beds, bordered with box. There
were box-trees of large size, with a great variety of
fruit-trees ; among these were several immense mulberry-
trees. Thomas Hancock, with others of his time, was
interested in the culture of the silk-worm. The trees
and shrubs of his garden were imported by him, and
frequently replenished by John Hancock, whose first
order for garden-seeds and trees by Marshall was on
Nov. 17, 1764.
To this attractive home John Hancock conducted his
bride, Dorothy Quincy, when returning from Philadel
phia. The former mistress of the mansion, Madame
Lydia Hancock, who left it in 1775, died the following
year ; and we doubt not her successor was the one whom
240 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
she had selected for the place.1 Mrs. John Hancock
proved herself well fitted for the position, and through
her native grace and dignity performed well her part
at the reception of D'Estaing, Lafayette, Washington,
Brissot, Lords Stanley and Wortley, and other noted
guests.
We have seen by the Letter-book that John Hancock
enjoyed good table furnishings ; he took peculiar pride
in the gift of a table-cloth and napkins, " the most gen
teel in the country." The six dozen pewter plates bear
ing the family crest were much to his liking ; and it was
the duty of his household to see that this pewter was
kept at the highest point of brightness, and used every
day, to the exclusion of the valuable India cbina-set also
owned by him. He preferred to use the pewter, because
as he said, " the contents of the plates were not so
apt to slide off," and the use of them caused no clatter
in contact with knives and forks. He had a large quan
tity of silver, much of which bore the tower stamp of
England. He had four dozen silver forks, matched with
1 Mrs. Lydia Hancock left her home during the siege, and never re
turned to enjoy it. The following embodies the facts, read on a tomb
stone in the old burying-ground at Fair field, Conn. : —
THIS STONE ERECTED
BY THADDEUS BURR AND EUNICE BURR
TO THE MEMORY OF THEIR DEAR FRIEND
MRS. LYDIA HANCOCK,
RELICT of the HONBLE THOS. HANCOCK, ESQR.
OF BOSTON,
whose Remains lie here interred, having retired to this town from
the calamities of war, during the Blockade of her native
city in 1775. Just on her return to the reenjoy-
ment of an ample fortune.
ON APRIL 15"* A.D. 1776
She was seized with apoplexy and closed a life of
unaffected piety, universal benevolence
and extensive charity.
MA'S. JOHN HANCOCK'S APPAREL 24!
the same number of silver spoons, also several tankards
of different sizes ; one, holding a gallon or more, he
devoted exclusively to hot punch. This tankard he
called Solomon Townsend, in honor of a friend. He
also had a large silver porter-cup, holding two quarts or
more, with two massive handles, intended probably to
be passed from guest to guest, that each might quaff in
turn from the same cup. Much of the silver and china
was ornamented with the Hancock coat -of -arms. His
mother-of-pearl whist counters were also similarly en
graved. Even the best furnished dining-table of these
days would not surpass Hancock's when glistening with
four elaborate silver chafing-dishes, four silver butter
boats, asparagus-tongs, and six heavy silver candlesticks,
with snuffers and tray to match. Silver finger-bowls
and salvers of the same material were at command. The
viands were in keeping with the table-ware ; and to the
hot punch may be attributed much of the suffering which
racked the body of not only John Hancock, but his hon
ored uncle Thomas, the founder of the fortune so freely
used for others.
Hancock kept the annual spring Fast on codfish. He
had a peculiar ambition to secure the first salmon of the
season, for which he paid a guinea. The salt-fish din
ners served every Saturday on the pewter platters were
peculiar to the house, and free to all who saw fit to
come and partake. We have seen that when in Phila
delphia Hancock would have his Boston codfish, and
counted it an honor to contribute some to his enter
tainer at Baltimore.
The Letter-book has afforded us hints of the costume
of the family, particularly of the master of the house ;
but nothing was denied Mrs. Hancock, yet she refused
242
JOHN HANCOCK, JUS BOOK
a dress from the piece of crimson velvet of which his
coat and vest were made, it being too heavy for her
slight figure. His white silk embroidered waistcoat
constrasted well with the scarlet garment, while the
silk stockings and handkerchiefs
from London added to the im
maculate dress of the merchant-
prince.
Mrs. Hancock's wedding-fan
from Paris was of white kid,
painted with appropriate de
signs ; but it did not create the
envy of the Boston belles, for
its first appearance was in the
Connecticut home where the
nuptials were celebrated. We
may well imagine that Boston
afforded nothing rich enough
for the babes, Lydia and John,
when they made their advent
to the family. The christening-
robe from England was of embroidered India muslin,
with stomacher and trimmings of thread lace. Mrs.
Hancock sent at the same time for a hat of lavender-
colored silk, trimmed with flowers, and a mantilla of
muslin lined with silk to match the hat. She gave six
dollars a yard for a piece of muslin in India before it was
cut from the loom. Fragments of these fabrics, with
the tailor's scraps of the scarlet coat, are still treasured
by Mrs. William Wales, a grandniece of Mrs. Hancock.
Viewed from the present standpoint of society, the
Hancocks would not be alone in their elegant apparel ;
and the fine dinners of the house, whether of venison
SCARLET VELVET COAT AND
EMBROIDERED WAISTCOAT.
(Seen in Old State House.)
HANCQCK PAYS THE J1KHT TO NATURE 243
or codfish, served on pewter or silver, were but a little
in advance of modern Boston.
The post-chaise, or chariot, with its appointments so
carefully ordered from London, which caused the many
to halt as it rolled through the narrow streets of Boston
town, is more than matched by many carriages that roll
daily over the very ground where Hancock reigned su
preme when this republic had its birth. All this splen
dor and luxury could not disguise the fact that John
Hancock was a debtor to nature; in fact, it hastened
the settlement of the account, which occurred on Oct.
8, 1793.
[From " Lives of American Merchants."]
To him, among others, we owe our independence, our liberty,
our prosperity, and our national greatness, and the high rank we
hold among the nations of the earth. We are indebted to him for
the aid which in our Revolutionary struggle was derived from the
arms and influence of France; for it was his generosity that fur
nished the means, when our country was utterly destitute of money
or credit, to fit out the Alliance frigate to carry Colonel Laurens,
our first accredited diplomatic agent, to the court of the French
king, through whose influence and exertions during the darkest
period of our Revolutionary history, the co-operation of France
was secured, and her assistance extended to help us break the
chains of that political slavery with which we were bound.
The funeral service was attended with pomp and
ceremony, as may be inferred from the announcement
in regard to the order of procession which is given on
the following page.
After the funeral demonstration of that autumn day,
1793, it seems strange that a full century should elapse
before the State of Massachusetts should pay her debt
of gratitude by placing a fitting memorial at the grave
of her first governor.
244 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
ORDER OF PROCESSION
FOR THE
jFuneral of tlje late ©o&crnor
FUNERAL ESCORT
Under the Command of Brigadier-General Hull.
OFFICERS OF THE MILITIA with side arms.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TREASURER.
JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT.
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.
SHERIFF OF SUFFOLK WITH HIS WAND.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
Quartermaster. His HONOR Secretary.
Adjutant-General. THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
A id-de-camp
The pall
W
C/} •
six of the
A id-de-camp
to the
supported
Q
5
oldest
to the
deceased.
by
o
u
Counsellors.
deceased.
RELATIONS
VICE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
JUDGES AND SECRETARIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
GENTLEMEN HERETOFORE COUNSELLORS AND SENATORS OF
MASSACHUSETTS.
FOREIGN MINISTERS AND CONSULS.
THE PRESIDENT AND CORPORATION.
THE PROFESSORS AND OTHER INSTRUCTORS OF
HARVARD COLLEGE.
SELECTMEN AND TOWN CLERK.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR AND TOWN TREASURER.
MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL.
MEMBERS OF THE ANCIENT AND HONOURABLE
ARTILLERY COMPANY.
COMMITTEE OF BRATTLE STREET CHURCH OF WHICH
THE DECEASED WAS A MEMBER.
OTHER CITIZENS AND STRANGERS.
FUNERAL OF THE FIKS'I' COl'EKXOK 245
ORDER OF MARCH.
The Procession will move from the Mansion House of the late
Governor Hancock, across the Common and down Frog Lane to
Liberty Pole, through the Main Street, and round the State House,
up Court Street — and from thence to the place of interrment.
Colonel Tyler will superintend the forming of the Procession of
Officers which precede the Corpse, and Colonel Waters that of the
other citizens who follow.
It is desired that the Procession may move four a breast when
practicable.
October 14, 1793.
It detracts from the honor displayed by this pageant
to learn that the funeral charges were paid from the
estate of the deceased.
On Feb. 3, 1894, the Legislature of Massachusetts
passed the following : -
Resolved, that there be allowed and paid out of the treasury of
the Commonwealth a sum not exceeding three thousand dollars,
to be expended under the direction of the Governor and Council,
for the purpose of erecting a suitable memorial over the grave of
Gov. John Hancock in the Granary burying-ground in Boston.
The work having been completed, there was a public
service of dedication on Sept. 10, 1896. There being
no direct descendant of John Hancock, the honor of un
veiling the monument was conferred upon a great-grand-
niece, Miss Mary Elizabeth Wood, who was conducted
for the purpose to the Hancock tomb by Governor
Roger Wolcott. The exercises were concluded in Park-
street Church, because of the falling rain of that after
noon. Governor Wolcott said : —
It has long been a matter of comment, and possibly of regret
to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that the grave of her first
governor, a man who played so large a part in the Revolutionary
period, remained in the heart of the principal city of the Common
wealth unmarked by any enduring monument.
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
HANCOCK MONUMENT IN GRANARY BURYING GROUND.
(Erected by the State of Massachusetts to her first Governor.)
This monument will be one of those spots to which
the feet of pilgrims will be directed. It will be one of the
memories which those who visit us from other States or
other countries will bear away with them from historic
Boston and historic Massachusetts, and as the hurrying
crowd passes by the sidewalk, I hope that it will speak
eloquently for all years to come of patriotic and loyal ser
vice to the Commonwealth. — GOVERNOR WOLCOTT.
Ill accepting the monument in behalf of the Com
monwealth, the Governor further said :
" As we look back upon that period of revolution, to the events
that led up to it, there is one figure, among others, that stands with
peculiar significance to the public mind. That figure is John Han
cock. A man of dignity of presence, fond of elaborate ceremonial,
J/A'.V. //.-LYCOCA' MARK1I-.S CATT. SCOTT. 247
elegant in his attire, courtly in his manner, a man of education and
great wealth for that time, and a man who threw himself heart and
soul into the patriotic duties of the hour. 1 think we especially
connect his name and memory with three acts. In the first place,
we remember that in the proclamation of amnesty there were two
names exceptecl ; one was that of John Hancock, the other that of
Samuel Adams. We remember that when Paul Revere rode out
into Middlesex County to warn the farmers of the approach of
British troops, John Hancock and Samuel Adams were slumbering
quietly in the little village of Lexington, and that their capture was
accounted as important to the British cause as the capture or de
struction of the ammunition which they were sent out to seize.
We especially remember John Hancock again as President of
the Continental Congress, and as the first to sign, in his bold, fine
signature, his name to that immortal declaration, in which those
who signed it pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor to the cause of liberty.
As it was through the Letter-book that the reader
was introduced to the sailing-master James Scott, he
has a right to an answer to the natural inquiry, What
of the family friend whose faithful service contributed
so much to the advantage of John Hancork, and to
whom he penned his last recorded letter of the volume ?
Bereft of his companion, James Scott found a sympa
thizer in the high-bred, courtly woman who, while in her
prime, had been left a widow; and on July 28, 1796,
they were joined in marriage by Rev. Peter Thacher,
D.D., pastor of Brattle-street Church. She outlived her
second husband many years, resided for a time at Ports
mouth, N. H., and later on Federal Street in Boston.
As Madam Scott she delighted the people by her unfail
ing memory and brilliant powers of conversation. Hos
pitality was a characteristic of hers at her Federal-street
home. Her table was always laid with an extra plate
for any one who might call, and four-score years did
248
JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
not rob her of her native dignity. Says Mrs. William
Wales, " I often ran into Aunt Dorothy's from school
at noon intermission, when the extra plate was at my
service, and the vener
able woman ready to
greet me with a smile."
In her advanced years
Madam Scott received
a call from Lafayette
when in this country.
Those who witnessed
the hearty interview
spoke of it with ad
miration. The once
youthful chevalier and
the unrivalled belle
met as if only a sum
mer had passed since
they had enjoyed so
cial interviews during the perils of the Revolution.
An incident confusing to the genealogist is found in
the Scott family register. Betsey, daughter of James
Scott and Mary Richardson, marries John Hancock,
nephew of the patriot, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth
Lowell.
MADAM SCOTT. (Mrs. John Hancock.)
FINANCIAL RETROSPECT 249
CHAPTER XXIII
FINANCIAL RETROSPECT
NEARLY a century and a half had passed since the
settlement of Plymouth, but there was not a bank in the
country, and trade was little removed from its primitive
form of barter in the rural districts ; and at the seaport
of Boston there was a great scarcity of money.
Generation after generation had come upon the stage,
each living very much as that which had preceded it.
There were busy brains and willing hands, forests of
valuable timber, boundless stretches of fertile soil, seas
teeming with fish, and mines of fabulous riches. The
people realized keenly that the development of the natu
ral resources of their country was hampered, and its
industrial growth retarded, by the lack of available funds.
Doubtful currency schemes found ready acceptance, and
caused much suffering. The raw material was here,
but the capital to turn it to account was not at hand.
While it may be difficult to appreciate the situation
from the standpoint of our advanced methods, somewhat
of the same conditions exist in the newer sections of
our country, where may be detected a similar unrest and
complaint.
Even men of consequence, to use the language of
Hancock, were compelled, through the scarcity of
money, to resort to expedients not altogether pleasant.
Hancock frequently apologized to Messrs. Barnards &
250 JOILV IIAXCOCK, JUS BOOK'
Harrison for drawing on them at the time of making
his shipments. In order to be able to pay for goods on
this side, which he had purchased and was about to ship,
he was frequently compelled to draw immediately, thus
giving his London agent little or no time to dispose of
the goods before he was called upon for the money.
To-day this difficulty might be obviated by drawing
time drafts, payable two or three months hence, which
would be discounted at some bank, and when nearly
due forwarded for collection.
As many of the battles of the Revolutionary period
were financial rather than sanguinary, the financier of
the present can but realize that he was represented in
that complex chapter of our American history. There
was no safe deposit vault in Provincial Boston ; hence
Hancock, Bromfield, Rotch, and their associates, in
scarlet cloaks, bag-wigs, and cocked hats, were obliged
to deposit their guineas in the wrought-iron chest with
massive hinge and clumsy lock. As the old-time mer
chants paced up and down King Street, or gathered in
Hancock's counting-room to discuss the prospect of the
market, their inseparable pocket companions were the
gold snuff-box and the key to the iron locker.
The Hancock repository was sufficient for all demands
until D'Estaing arrived with the sacks of coin from
France to relieve our distressed country, when the only
safe place for King Louis's " crowns " was the home of
the deputy paymaster, Ebenezer Hancock, with a guard
of soldiers surrounding it.
These richly attired merchants were the bankers of
the time, and to them and their strongholds men of less
"consequence" resorted for financial accommodation.
In December, 1767, Oliver Wendell comes to John Han-
FINANCIAL RETROSPECT 2$l
cock, and purchases goods for his family by giving in
exchange his personal note for one year. Then comes
Madam Warren with her pension certificate, which Han
cock readily takes, and in exchange for it passes out
guineas from his iron locker. He then forwards the
certificate to London by his next ship for collection.
Money was lent to the Province treasury for periods
ranging from one to three years, Hancock acting as fis
cal agent for his foreign correspondents in negotiating
such loans. There were investments in mortgages on
real estate. In this business also Hancock was helpful
to his clients. The system of credits, which we are in
clined to regard as a modern institution, we find to have
been highly developed. Thus John Hancock kept a
regular account with the house of Barnards & Har
rison of London. When goods were shipped abroad,
we find the letter of advice accompanying the consign
ment, if it were to this firm, simply requested that the
" neat " proceeds be credited to the Hancock account.
If the goods were consigned to some other firm, they
were accompanied by a letter of advice stating that a
draft had been drawn upon the house to which they
were consigned, through the house of Barnards &
Harrison.
Very little coin changed hands between America and
England. When Hancock ordered goods from a port
other than London, the purchasing-agent was directed
to collect of Barnards & Harrison of London, as wit-
nesseth the case of the wine shipped from Madeira in
the famous Liberty.
When it was desired to transfer property from Amer
ica to England, as in the settlement of the estate of a
government official on this side, Hancock, as adminis-
252 JOHN HANCOCK, HIS BOOK
trator, or under power of attorney, sold the property,
and purchased bills of exchange on London, which were
then forwarded. General Gage's exchequer bills were
used for this purpose.
Hancock bought exchange, that is, cashed or gave
credit for drafts on London to those who fortunately
had funds in England.
The young officers of the king's army were frequent
callers on John Hancock, who accommodated them when
they were in need of funds from home. As the English
visitor of to-day steps into the office of Messrs. Brown
Brothers, or Kidder, Peabody, and Co., with his letter of
credit, or draft on England, so his predecessor called at
Hancock's in Provincial days.
John Hancock and other far-seeing merchants of the
time detected the impending ruin of the country when
the Stamp Act was passed. It was aimed directly at
commerce, in which lay the key to the situation ; and it
was to them and their correspondents in London that
more credit was due for the repeal of that Act than was
due to those who made the recorded speeches.
This required the most positive decision, which the
letters show Hancock to have exercised ; and in the
quiet of his counting-room he penned his most fervent
appeals to the merchants abroad to use their influence
upon Parliament. His actions were those of one who
believed, "The pen is mightier than the sword." While
he often resorted to strong language, he never lost all
hope in the power of appeal until hostilities were actu
ally begun ; and then he was ready to resort to arms.
He would have made his way from the parsonage to
Lexington Common, on the morning of April 19, i/75>
and shown his ability to handle the firelock, had he not
FINANCIAL RETROSPECT 253
been prevented by his associates, who believed he had
a more important mission.
The opening of the war closed the books of these
merchants. Hancock had many running accounts with
foreign merchants, but they could not be settled until
peace was restored ; and it was nearly ten years before
Hancock undertook to adjust his accounts. Then he
was so burdened with public service that he employed
William Hoskins to act for him, both in this country
and abroad.
There had been great changes during the period of
the war, and he was honest in his statement that he had
lost thousands of pounds sterling ; but he did not regret
it, as long as his country had been saved from a tyrant's
domination.
The foregoing are some of the obscure facts revealed
by the Letter-book, which, viewed with an unprejudiced
eye, must convince the reader that the patriot merchants
of the Revolutionary period fought as truly as the men
of military affairs ; and their names should be honored
to-day with a place upon the immortal scroll of the heroes
of the Revolution.
APPENDIX I
THE following history of the Longman Publishing House
was obtained from London after the body of this volume
had passed through the press.
THOMAS LONGMAN, the founder of the firm, was born in Bristol
in 1699. On the ninth day of June, 1716, eight years after the
death of his father, Ezekiel Longman, Thomas Longman was ap
prenticed for the term of seven years to John Osborn, stationer and
bookseller, "At the Oxford Arms," Lombard Street, London.
The firm of Osborn is known to have been highly respected and
prosperous, though but little other information is obtainable. One
of their earliest books, it may be well noted, was a volume of
"I'siilms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs of tJie Old and New
Testament for the use, edification, and comfort of the Saints in pub-
lick and private, especially in New England," indicating, perhaps,
one of the earliest connections in the bookselling way with the
American Colonies.
JOHN OSBORN had two children, — a son, John, and a daughter,
Mary, whom Thomas Longman married in 1723. In Paternoster
Row, at this time, had for some years been established the business
of one William Taylor, stationer and bookseller, soon to become
famous as the publisher of Robinson Crusoe ; and over his door hung
the "Sign of the Ship.1' In the next house was the shop of the
brothers Churchill at the " Sign of the Black Swan.11
TAYLOR purchased the latter business in 1719, and the consolida
tion was known as " The Sign of the Ship and Black Swan in
Paternoster Row." Upon the death of Mr. Taylor, in August, 1724,
\V. Innys and John Osborn, " as executors of W. Taylor, on their
part, sold to Thomas Longman, on his part, all of the household
goods and books, bound and in sheets, of Mr. Taylor in Paternoster
Row.1' Thomas Longman thus became owner of the business,
which has remained in the hands of his family from that date. In
255
256 APPENDIX I
1725 the firms of Osborn and Longman were united; and in 1726
they as partners published their first book, the first edition of Sher
lock* s Voyages. This was soon followed by many works of educa
tional and scientific interest. The death of the Osborns, father and
son, soon followed. In 1754 Thomas Longman took into partner
ship his namesake, Thomas, the son of his brother Henry; and for
many years afterward the imprint was " Printed for T. & T. Long
man.1' Thomas Longman (ist) died June 18, 1755.
THOMAS LONGMAN (2d) was twenty-four years of age when he
became a partner of his uncle, and for forty-three years he carried
on the business. Under his management many valuable copyrights
were secured, and the business increased until it included important
connections with the Colonies and America.
Thomas Longman (2d) had three sons, one of whom, T. Norton
Longman, born in 1771, became in 1792 partner with his father.
In 1792 Mr. Thomas Brown, whose father had been for some years
in the house, was admitted to partnership, and Mr. Owen Rees en
tered the firm, in which for forty years he continued in active inter
est. Thomas Longman (2d) died in 1797. The years from 1797
to the death of Thomas Norton Longman, in 1842, saw the publi
cation by the house of Lindley Murray's Grammar, Wordsworth's,
Southey's, Coleridge's, and Moore's poems, the reconstructed Cham-
bers's Cyclopaedia, called Rees's New Cyclopaedia, for many years
the standard, and of several of the Waverley Novels. Partners at
this time were Messrs. Orme, Hurst, and later B. E. Green. In
1839 ^r- Thomas Longman (b. 1804) and Mr. William Longman
(b. 1813), sons of Thomas Norton Longman, entered the firm, and
directed the business until the death of the latter in 1877 and of the
former in 1879. It was during Mr. Thomas Longman's manage
ment that Macaulay's works were published.
The present members of the firm in London are Messrs. Thomas
Norton Longman and George Longman (sons of Mr. Thomas Long
man), and Messrs. Charles J. Longman and Hubert H. Longman
(sons of Mr. William Longman), and Mr. W. E. Green.
APPENDIX II
EXTRACTS FROM HANCOCK'S MASSACRE ORATION, MARCH,
'774-
I HAVE, from the earliest recollections of youth, rejoiced
in the felicity of my fellow-men ; and have considered it as
the indispensable duty of every member of society to pro
mote, as far as in him lies, the prosperity of every individual
of his species, but more especially of the community to which
he belongs; and also, as a faithful subject of the state, to
use his utmost endeavours to detect and defeat every traitor
ous plot which its enemies may devise for its destruction.
Security to the persons and property of the governed, is
so obviously the design and end of civil government, that to
attempt a logical demonstration of it, would be like burning
tapers at noon day, to assist the sun in enlightening the world;
and it cannot be either virtuous or honourable to attempt to
support institutions of which this is not-the great and princi
pal basis.
Some boast of being friends of government; I am a friend
to righteous government, to a government founded upon the
principles of reason and justice; but I glory in publicly avow
ing my eternal enmity to tyranny; and here suffer me to ask
what tenderness, what regard have the rulers of Great Brit
ain manifested in their late transactions, for the security of
the persons or property of the inhabitants of these colonies ?
or rather, what have they omitted doing to destroy that se
curity ? They have usurped the right of ruling us, in all
cases whatever, by arbitrary laws; they have exercised this
pretended right by imposing a tax upon us without our con-
257
258 APPENDIX //
sent ; and lest we should show some reluctance at parting
with our property, their fleets and armies are sent to enforce
their mad and tyrannical pretensions. The town of Boston,
ever faithful to the British crown, has been invested by a
British fleet ; the troops of George the Third have crossed
the Atlantic, not to engage an enemy, but to assist a band
of traitors in trampling on the rights and liberties of his most
loyal subjects ; those rights and liberties which, as a father,
he ought ever to regard, and as a king, he is bound, in hon
our, to defend from violation, even at the risk of his own life.
These troops, upon their first arrival, took possession of
our senate house, pointed their cannon against the judgment
hall, and even continued them there whilst the supreme
court of the province was actually sitting to decide upon the
lives and fortunes of the king's subjects.
Our streets nightly resounded with the noise of riot and
debauchery ; our peaceful citizens were hourly exposed to
shameful insult, and often felt the effects of their violence
and outrage.
But this was not all; as though they thought it not enough
to violate our civil rights, they endeavoured to deprive us of
the enjoyment of our religious privileges ; to vitiate our mor
als, and thereby render us deserving of destruction. Hence
the rude din of arms which broke in upon your solemn devo
tions in your temples, on that day hallowed by Heaven ; and
set apart by God himself for his peculiar worship. Hence,
impious oaths and blasphemies, so often tortured your un
accustomed ear. Hence, all the arts which idleness and
luxury could invent, were used, to betray our youth of one sex
into extravagance and effeminacy, and of the other to in
famy and ruin. And did they not succeed but too well ?
did not our infants almost learn to lisp out curses before
they knew their horrid import ? did not our youth forget
they were Americans ; and regardless of the admonitions of
the wise and aged, copy with a servile imitation the frivol
ity and vices of their tyrants ? and must I be compelled to
acknowledge that even the noblest, fairest part of all the
APPENDIX 11 259
lower creation did not entirely escape the cursed snare ? or
why have I seen an honest father clothed with shame, or
why a virtuous mother drowned in tears ?
But I forbear, and come reluctantly to the transactions of
that dismal night, when in such quick succession we felt the
extremes of grief, astonishment, and rage ; when heaven in
anger, for a dreadful moment, suffered hell to take the reins ;
when Satan with his chosen band opened the sluices of New
England's blood, and sacrilegiously polluted our land with
the dead bodies of her guiltless sons.
Let this sad tale of death never be told without a tear ; let
not the heaving bosom cease to burn with a manly indigna
tion at the relation of it through the long tracts of future
time ; let every parent tell the shameful story to listening
children, till tears of pity glisten in their eyes, or boiling
passion shakes their tender frames.
Dark and designing knaves, murderers, parricides ! how
dare you tread upon the earth which has drunk the blood of
slaughtered innocence shed by your hands ? how dare you
breathe this air which wafted to the ear of Heaven the oroans
O
of those who fell a sacrifice to your accursed ambition ?
But if the labouring earth doth not expand her jaws ; if the
air you breathe is not commissioned to be the minister of
death ; yet, hear it, and tremble ; the eye of Heaven pene
trates the darkest chambers of the soul ; and you, though
screened from human observation, must be arraigned, must
lift up your hands, red with the blood of those whose death
you have procured, at the tremendous bar of God.
But I gladly quit the theme of death — I would not
dwell too long upon the horrid effects which have already
followed from quartering regular troops in this town ; let our
misfortunes instruct posterity to guard against these evils.
Standing armies are sometimes (I would by no means say
generally, much less universally) composed of persons who.
have rendered themselves unfit to live in civil society; who
are equally indifferent to the glory of a George or a Louis ;
who, for the addition of one penny a day to their wages,
260 APPENDIX II
would desert from the Christian Cross, and fight under the
Crescent of the Turkish Sultan ; from such men as these,
what has not a state to fear ? with such as these, usurping
Caesar passed the Rubicon ; with such as these, he humbled
mighty Rome and forced the mistress of the world to own a
master in a traitor. These are the men whom sceptred rob
bers now employ to frustrate the designs of God, and render
vain the bounties which his gracious hand pours indiscrimi
nately upon his creatures.
APPENDIX III
THE last proclamation for the annual Thanksgiving which
invoked a blessing upon the king was issued in 1773, by
Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., governor.
Governor Hutchinson was recalled. Thomas Gage came
out with his appointment as royal governor of the excited
Province in the year 1774. He issued repeated proclama
tions of a special nature, such as to dissolve the General
Court ; against the " Solemn League and Covenant ; " to " en
courage piety and virtue ; " to prevent the meeting of the
General Court ; "and concerning the proceedings of the Pro
vincial Congress."
To each of these is appended the time-honored legend of
the loyal subjects of the crown, "God save the king."
But it was useless for this unfortunate representative of
vanishing royalty to issue a proclamation to the patriot peo
ple for the annual Thanksgiving, as his predecessors had
been wont to do ; in fact, the " rebellious clergy " of Boston
had banded themselves together in a resolve not to read
any proclamation that Governor Gage might issue.
It was the first Provincial Congress, assembled at Cam
bridge, which took this, as other matters, in hand ; and it
issued a proclamation for the 1774 Thanksgiving.
This broadside is notable for its simplicity, but yet it
breathes the spirit of the times.
"MASSACHUSETTS BAY — A proclamation for public Thanksgiving:
From a consideration of the continuance of the gospel among us, and the
smiles of divine Providence upon us, with regard to the season of the year
and the general health which has been enjoyed, and in particular from
consideration of the union which so remarkably prevails, not only in this
26l
262 APPENDIX JII
province, but throughout the continent, at this alarming crisis, it is resolved
as the sense of this congress, that it is highly proper that a day of public
Thanksgiving should be observed, etc. . . .
That God may be pleased to continue to us the blessings we enjoy,
and remove the tokens of his displeasure by causing harmony and union
to be restored between Great Britain and these colonies, that we may re
joice in the smiles of our sovereign, and in possession of those privileges
which have been transmitted to us, and have the hopeful prospect that they
shall be handed down entire to posterity under the Protestant succession
of the illustrious house of Hanover."
Done at Council Chamber in Cambridge tJiis Twenty-Second dav of
October •, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy- J:our.
JOHN HANCOCK,
President.
The third Provincial Congress, when in session at Water-
town, and busy in making arrangements for supplying the
army, appointing and commissioning officers, issuing or
ders for paper currency, etc., paused to proclaim the annual
Thanksgiving. In the midst of manifold burdens and dis
tress they found something to be thankful for.
This proclamation concluded as follows : —
nil Scrfoilc ILabour is jForbi'titJrn on tfjc Sai'
Given under our hands at the Council Chamber in \\fatertount Ihe Fourth
Day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hun
dred and Seventy-five.
BY THEIR HONORS COMMAND,
PEREZ MORTON, Defy. Secry.
JAMES OTIS, JOSEPH PALMER, JEDDIAH FOSTER,
CALEB GUSHING, JABEZ FISHER, ELDAD TAYLOR,
JOHN WHITCOMB, BENJ'A. WHITE, MICHAEL FARLEY,
JAMES PRESCOTT, WALTER SPOONER, SAMUEL HOLTON,
BENJ'A. LINCOLN, JOSEPH GERRISON, MOSES GILL.
GOD fave the PEOPLE.
Printed in the Neiv England Chronicle or Essex Gazette from Thursday,
Nov. Q*k, to Thursday, A\n>. /6'k, /77J.
Printed by Samuel and Ebenezer Hall at their office in Sloughton Hall,
Harvard College.
/// 263
When the broadside reached the hands of the ministers,
the majority were delighted, but to others it brought sorrow
and contempt. Some Loyalists in pulpits refused to read it;
and others read it, but added their sentiment in the time-
honored cry, " God save the king," despite the protests of
the congregations.
Here we see the revolution! In 1773, "God save the
king;" in 1774, still praying for "the smiles of their sov
ereign," but ominously omitting the traditional prayer for
his salvation ; in 1775, " God save the people ! "
The die was cast, and the bridges burned behind the pa
triots who boldly uttered this ringing cry for the people.
The proclamation next year, 1776, bore this simple head
ing : —
Proclamation
of
THAN KSGI VING
We have thought fit, with the advice of the Council and at the desire
of the House of Representatives, to appoint and hereby do appoint
Thursday, the I2th day of December, to be kept as a day of public thanks
giving and prayer throughout the STATE, calling upon ministers and
people of every denomination then to convene and with grateful devotion
to offer solemn praises to the all gracious author of every good, for the
various invaluable benefits conferred on and continued to this State in
particular and to the UNITED STATES IN GENERAL, especially that
whilst British avarice openly claims and. British tyranny vigorously endeav
ors to wrest from us the free exercise of those rights which Heaven alike
bestowed on all mankind, and without which human life is less a favor than
the grave, has given these Slates a just sense of their worth and of the
impossibility of resigning those rights to man, without the guilt of rebellion
against God, treason to the present and treachery to all future generations.
Given at the Council Chamber in Boston , on This Sixteenth Day of No
vember in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Httndred and
Seventy- Six.
The above was signed by the major part of the council,
264
APPENDIX III
as in 1775 ; but there was no concluding prayer attached to
this extremely simple document.
In 1780 the Thanksgiving proclamation jirst presented
the symbolic Indian in the coat-of-arms of the Common
wealth, now so familiar to all.
Commonwealth
of Maflachufetts
By His EXCELLENCY
JOHN HANCOCK, Efquire.
Governour and Commander-in-chief in and over the Commonwealth of
MASSACHUSETTS.
A Proclamation,
For a DAY of PUBLIC THANKSGIVING.
The concluding part of this 1780 proclamation was as
follows : —
C I VEX at the COUNCIL CHAMBER, in BOSTON this Eight Day of
November, in the year of our LORD, One Thoufand feven Hundred
and Eighty and in the Fifth Year of the INDEPENDENCE of the
United States of AMERICA.
JOHN HANCOCK.
7>V his Excellency' 's Command,
With the Advice and Confent of the Council,
JOHN AVERY, jun., Secretary.
GOD fare the PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
It was not until 1785 that the proclamation as we know
it in these days was evolved, and "God save the Common
wealth of Massachusetts" first rang forth from the State
House and the pulpits.
APPENDIX IV
JOHN HANCOCK, the president, takes leave of the Con
tinental Congress :
GENTLEMEN : Friday last completed two years & five months since
you did me the honor of electing me to fill this chair. As I could
never flatter myself your choice proceeded from any idea of my abil
ities, but rather from a partial opinion of my attachment to the lib
erties of America, I felt myself under the strongest obligations to
discharge the duties of the office, and I accepted the appointment
with the firmest resolutions to go through the business annexed
toit in the best manner I was able. Every argument conspired to
make me exert myself, and I endeavored by industry and attention
to make up for every other deficiency.
As to my conduct both in & out of Congress, in the execution of
your business, it is improper for me to say anything. You are the
best judges. But I think I shall be forgiven if I say I have spared
no pains, expense, or labor, to gratify Your wishes, and to accom
plish the views of Congress. My health being much impaired I find
some relaxation absolutely necessary after such constant application.
I must therefore request Your Indulgence for leave of absence for two
months. But I cannot take my departure, gentlemen, without ex
pressing my thanks for the civility & politeness I have experienced
from you. It is impossible to maintain this without a heartfelt pleas
ure. If any expressions have dropped from my lips which have
given offence to any member during the long period that I have had
the honor to fill this chair, I hope they will be passed over, for they
were prompted by no unkind motive.
May every happiness, gentlemen, attend you, both as members of
this house and as individuals, and I pray Heaven that unanimity &
perseverance may go hand in hand in this house, and that every
thing which may tend to distract or divide your councils be forever
banished.
265
APPENDIX V
ON Oct. 25, 1780, John Hancock was inaugurated as the
first governor under the Constitution of the State of Massa
chusetts. A committee of the House and Senate conducted
his Excellency to the State House. They were preceded by
the Independent Company. "The honorable members of
both houses being assembled in the Council Chamber, his
Excellency addressed them as follows — previous to his
taking the oaths required of him, viz., —
Honorable Gentlemen, —
It would have ill become me at so early a moment after being notified
of my appointment by the respectable committee of this honorable assem
bly, to appear here to comply with the qualifying requisitions of the Consti
tution, had not the circumstances of the returns made the choice a matter of
public notoriety some weeks past, and receiving it from such authority as
confirmed its reality, led me to contemplate the subject; and, although
fully sensible of my inability to the important purposes of the appointment,
yet having, in the early stage of this contest, determined to devote my
whole time and services to be employed in my country's cause to the utter
exclusion of all private business, even to the end of the war, and being
ever ready to obey the call of my country, I venture to offer myself;
ready to comply with the requisitions of the Constitution, and regularly
and punctually attend to the duties of the department in which my country
has been pleased to place me."
After the oath was taken, the Secretary declared his Ex
cellency, John Hancock, Esq., Governor of this Common
wealth, from the balcony of the State House, repeated by
the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk.
Condensed from report in Independent Chronicle of Nov.
4, 1780.
266
APPENDIX V 267
Inaugural address of John Hancock as Governor of
Massachusetts, 1780 : —
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representa
tives, —
With a sincere and warm heart I congratulate you and my country on
the singular favor of heaven in the peaceable and auspicious settlement
of our government upon a Constitution formed by the wisdom, and sancti
fied by the solemn choice of the people who are to live under it. May
the Supreme Ruler of the world be pleased to establish and perpetuate these
new foundations of liberty and glory.
Finding myself placed at the head of this Commonwealth by the free
suffrages of its citizens, while 1 most sensibly feel the distinction they have
conferred upon me in this election, I am at a loss to express the sentiments
of gratitude with which it has impressed me. In addition to my natural
affection for them, and the obligations they have before laid upon me, I
have now a new and irresistible motive, ever to consider their happiness
as my greatest interest, and their freedom my highest honor.
Deeply impressed with a sense of the important duties to which my
country now calls me, while I obey the call, I most ardently wish my
self adequate to these duties; but can only promise, in concurrence with
you, Gentlemen, a faithful and unremitting attention to them, supported
as I am by the advice and assistance of the Council happily provided by
the Constitution, to whose judgment I shall always pay the greatest re
spect, and on whose wisdom and integrity I shall ever rely. May unanim
ity among the several branches of this new government consolidate its
force, and establish such measures as shall most effectually advance the
interest and reputation of the Commonwealth. This can never be done
but by a strict adherence in every point to the principles of our excellent
Constitution, which on my own part I engage most sacredly to preserve.
Gentlemen, Of all the weighty business that lies before you, a point
of the first importance and most pressing necessity is the establishment of
the army in such consistency and force, and with such seasonable and
competent supplies, as may render it, in conjunction with the respectable
forces sent to our assistance by our powerful and generous ally, an ef
fectual defence to the free Constitutions and independence of the United
States.
You cannot give too early or too serious an attention to that proportion
of this business that falls to the share of this Commonwealth. The mode
we have too long practised of re-enforcing the army by enlistments for a
short time, has been found to be at once greatly ineffectual and extremely
burthensomc. The commander-in-chief, in whose abilities and integrity
268 APPENDIX V
we justly repose the highest confidence, has repeatedly stated to us the
great disadvantages arising from it; and the necessity of an army engaged
for the whole war, and well provided, is now universally felt and ac
knowledged. Nor should a moment of time be lost in prosecuting every
measure for establishing an object so essential to the preservation of our
liberties and all that is dear to us. Care at the same time ought to be
taken that the necessary supplies be committed to men on whose princi
ples and affection to our great cause, as well as capacity for such a ser
vice, we may safely depend.
The support of the public faith stands in close connection with this
measure of defence, and, indeed, is absolutely necessary to it, and to the
whole interest and honor of the State. No expedient should be unex
plored, no necessary measure unattempted, no nerve in government or the
community unexerted, to maintain our credit and remove all just ground of
complaint from the army that protects us, or from those who have in any
instances relied on the public engagements. What friend to his country
would not cheerfully bear his full proportion of the expense necessary for
this purpose ? And I doubt not you will take all possible care that no
more than such a proportion be laid upon any man or any class of men.
This is not only a clear point of justice from which no government can
in any instance recede without injuring and dishonoring itself, but is of
particular importance to the internal peace and good temper, and conse
quently the safety, of the Commonwealth. Doth not this safety also
require a stricter attention than I fear has been paid to the methods and
purposes of an intercourse with Great Britain, and that more effectual
measures may be taken to prevent flags of truce from conveying intelli
gence or improper persons to those who are prosecuting a war against us
with great insidiousness as well as cruelty, to cut off a correspondence be
tween our secret enemies at home and our declared ones abroad, and to
restrain prisoners of war from being at large among us, without prudent
checks, especially in our seaports. In all such cases, your vigilance will
discern, and your fidelity provide where it may be needed, a proper guard
to the public safety. The present situation of the eastern part of the State,
and the protection of our seacoasts, navigation, and commerce, in all which
not only the interest of this and the United States, but that of our allies,
is deeply concerned, are important objects that require particular atten
tion.
If we look to the westward, we see recent incursions and ravages of
the enemy, so that from every quarter we are loudly called upon to
employ the most speedy and strenuous efforts for providing funds that may
be depended on, and establishing an army sufficient, by the blessing of
Heaven, for the complete deliverance of our country. Its resources, im
proved with judgment and spirit, are adequate to such a purpose. Nor
APPENDIX V 269
can I forbear to observe that \ve may enter upon this business immediately
with less expense and greater advantages than in any future time.
You are fully sensible, Gentlemen, that the separation which the Con
stitution has made between the legislative and judicial powers, and that
just degree of independence it has given to the latter, is one of the surest
guards to the person, property, and liberties of the subjects of this Com
monwealth, and accordingly you are, I am thoroughly persuaded, heartily
disposed to support this independence, and the honor and vigor, of the
supreme judicial department in its whole constitutional extent.
Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order
and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every
measure for their support and encouragement that shall not infringe the
rights of conscience, which I rejoice to see established by the Constitu
tion on so broad a basis ; and if anything can be further done on the same
basis for the relief of the public teachers of religion and morality, an order
of men greatly useful to their country, and who have particularly suf
fered in the defence of its rights by the depreciation of currency ; as also
for the relief of widows and orphans, many of whom have been distressed
in the same way, and who are particularly committed by Heaven to the
protection of civil rulers, I shall most readily concur with you in every
such measure.
A due observation of the Lord's Day is not only important to internal
religion, but greatly conducive to the order and benefit of civil society.
It speaks to the senses of mankind, and, by a solemn cessation from their
common affairs, reminds them of a Deity and their accountableness to the
great Lord of all. Whatever may be necessary to the support of such
an institution, in consistence with a reasonable personal liberty, deserves
the attention of civil government.
Manners, by which not only the freedom, but the very existence of the
republics, are greatly affected, depend much upon the public institutions
of religion and the good education of youth ; in both these instances our
fathers laid wise foundations, for which their posterity have had reason to
bless their memory. The public schools, and our university at Cambridge,
very early founded by them, have been no small support to the cause of
liberty, and given no dishonorable distinction to our country. The ad
vantages they are still capable of affording to the present and future
generations are unspeakable. I cannot, therefore, omit warmly to com
mend them to your care and patronage.
The laws will now require to be accurately revised, and particularly that
which regulates the militia, on which the safety of the Commonwealth
naturally rests. This revision you cannot fail to attend to as early as cir
cumstances will allow, which will lead you not only to adapt the laws in the
most perfect manner possible to the defence of the State, but also for the
2/0 APPENDIX V
suppression of idleness, dissipation, extravagancy, and all those vices that
are peculiarly inimical to free republics, and for the encouragement of those
apposite virtues that are particularly friendly to such a form of govern
ment.
In such measures as I have now mentioned, and in every other tending
to promote the public welfare, you may always depend on my cheerful
concurrence with you, and giving every despatch in rny power to the public
business. And I shall from time to time seasonably communicate to you
such informations and proposals of business as may be proper to lay be
fore you.
May the new government diffuse a new animation through the whole
political body ; the people expect much from it, perhaps more in some
points than circumstances will allow it to perform; but, standing as we do
upon their choice and affections, and strenuously exerting ourselves as we
ought for their interest, they may find it happily advanced.
May Heaven assist us to set out well, to brighten the auspices of our
Constitution, to render it still more beloved and admired by the citizens of
this Commonwealth, and to recommend it to the whole world by a wise
and impartial, a firm and vigorous, administration of it.
JOHN HANCOCK.
AITKNDIX VI
THE last effort to save the Hancock Mansion was in June,
1863. A broadside printed in red ink and in a most con
spicuous form was posted.
BOSTONIANS.
SAVE THE OLD JOHN HANCOCK MANSION !
THERE is TIME YET, ALTHOUGH THE WORK OF
DEMOLITION HAS COMMENCED.
It is a question of some perplexity to decide how far it is
wise or proper for the city government or for individuals to
interfere to prevent the act of modern vandalism which de
mands the destruction of this precious relic; for that it is
destroyed in effect, if removed, we conceive admits of no
question. Will it or will it not be a mitigation of the public
disgrace to establish the house itself elsewhere, as a per
petual monument of the proceeding ?
Without wishing in the least degree to discourage the
public spirit and the patriotism of those gentlemen in the
city council, who are seeking at this moment to do the best
they can for the preservation of the house, we still think it
right that one preliminary appeal should be made to the
present owners. They are gentlemen of wealth, they have
made an honest purchase, and of course may plead that they
have a right to do what they will with their own. It is with
full recognition of their rights in this respect ; and, withal
in the utmost kindness to them, that we should admonish
them how dearly is purchased any good thing which costs
271
272 APPENDIX VI
sacrifice of public associations so dear and so noble as those
that cluster around the Hancock House.
These purchasers must at any rate be prepared to hear
during the whole of their lives, and that of their remotest
posterity, so long as any of them may live in the elegant
modern palaces which supplant the ancient structure, the
frequent expression of public discontent.
Argument may show them blameless ; but sentiment will
ever condemn the proceeding in which theirs will be, per
haps the most innocent, but nevertheless the most permanent
part. It is not often that an opportunity is given to men
of wealth to earn a title to public gratitude, by an act of
simple self-denial. Such an opportunity falls to the lot of
the purchasers of this estate. Stay the destroying hand, and
in less than one year the money can be raised by subscrip
tion, or an overwhelming vote be had from the city empower
ing the city fathers to purchase it.
There is patriotism and reverence for antiquity enough in
Boston to save this house, only let it be waked up.
BOSTON, June 6, 1863.
(From copy in N. E. Historic Genealogical Society.)
While .the effort to save this house did not avail, and must
be forever an occasion for regret, it is gratifying that the
Hancock house at Lexington has been saved, although re
moved from its original site.
APPENDIX VII
HANCOCK'S BUSINESS ASSOCIATES NOT MENTIONED
ELSEWHERE IN THIS VOLUME
ABBE, JOHN.
ALDEN JOHN. .
There were in Boston senior and junior.
ALLINE, HENRY, JUN.
ATHEARN, JAMES.
ATHERTON, JAMES.
ATKINS, HENRY.
Selectman, lived opposite Garden
Court.
ATKINS, JOSHUA.
ATKINS, THOMAS.
Lived in Richmond Street.
BACON, EDWARD.
HALLS, ROBERT.
BAI.LARD, SAMUEL.
Pew in Christ Church.
BAKER, JOHN.
Lived in Williams Court, burned out
in 1762.
BARKER, DANIEL.
BARKER, JOSIAIL
Of Nantucket.
BARRETT, JONATHAN.
BASS, HENRY.
Of tea-party.
BEAL, JOSHUA.
BEAZE, JOSEPH.
BELL, WILLIAM.
BILLINV.S, RICHARD.
BLACK, ANDREW.
BLAKE, JOHN.
BLAKE, JOSEPH.
BLANCHARD, HEZEKIAIL
BLASDELL, HENRY.
BLOSSOM, JAMES.
BOWERMAN, STEPHEN.
BOYLSTON, THOMAS.
Eminetit Hoston merchant, Loyalist,
died in London, 1798.
BOYNTON, RICHARD.
BRADFORD, J.
BRADFORD, THOMAS.
BRAGDON, JOHN.
BRAGDON, SAMUEL.
BREWER, JOHN.
BRIGHAM, EBEN.
BRIMMER, JOHN.
Family seat in School Street.
BROWN, ABIJAH.
BROWN, WILLIAM.
Of Salem, grandson of Gov. Unmet;
colonel of militia ; judge of Su
preme Court ; banished, 1778.
BURBECK, EDWARD.
CALEF, THOMAS.
CALLENDER, JOSEPH, JUN.
CAMPBELL, ROBERT.
CHAMBERLAIN, ALEXANDER.
Warden of Christ Church, 1747.
COATTS, THOMAS.
COOK, NOAH.
COFFIN, CAI.KB.
COFFIN, RUTH.
COFFIN, TIMOTHY.
COFFIN, WILLIAM.
Torv. went to Halifax.
273
2/4
APPENDIX VI f
CONDON, SAMUEL.
COWDRY, JOHN.
CRAFTS, THOMAS.
CRAFTS, WILLIAM.
Colonel of artillery.
CROSS, THEODORE.
DAILEY, THOMAS.
DAMOND, CAPTAIN GEORGE.
Of Portsmouth.
DAVIS, JOHN.
DAVIS, WILLIAM.
DAVY, SOL.
DAWES, MAJOR THOMAS.
Architect of Brattle-street Church.
DEAN, MELATIAH.
DECOSTER, SIMPLE.
DENNIE, WILLIAM.
DICKERSON, OBA.
DICKEY, JAMES.
DOANE, ISAAC.
DOLIBAR, WILLIAM.
DREW, JOSEPH.
DURFEE, THOMAS.
DUNHAM, SHUBEL.
DUTTON, EBENEZER.
EASTMAN, WILLIAM.
EDES, THOMAS.
A baker. Thomas Hutchinson found
refuge at his house from the mob.
ERVING, JOHN.
One of the most eminent merchants of
America; grandfather of Hon. Rob
ert C. Winthrop.
FESSENDEN, JOSIAH.
FLAGG, GERSHOM, JUN.
FLETCHER, SAMUEL.
FOLGER, TIMOTHY.
FRENCH, ISAAC.
GARDNER, JAMES.
GARDNER, JOHN.
GARDNER, SILVESTER, DR.
GIBBS, JOHN.
Master of ship Olive of Nantucket.
GILL, SAMUEL.
Of firm of Edes & Gill.
GOODING, SAMUEL.
GORHAM, STURGIS.
Built first house on south side of Pearl
Street.
GRAY, JOHN.
Of ropewalk fame.
GRAY, LIEUT.
GREEN, FRANCIS.
Of Harvard College, prominent Tory.
GREEN, DARIUS.
GREENOUGH, NEWMAN.
GREENOUGH, SAMUEL.
GREENWOOD, NATHANIEL.
Captain of mast ship.
GRIDLEY, RICHARD.
Engineer at Bunker Hill.
GROW, EDWARD.
HALL, JAMES.
Commander of ship Dartmouth. Ban
ished.
HALLOWELL, BENJAMIN.
Commissioner of Customs. Tory.
Left in 1776.
HALLOWELL, ROBERT.
Commissioner of Customs. Ordered
Hancock's sloop Liberty seized.
Banished. Returned, and died in
Maine, 1818.
HALLOWELL, ROBERT.
Son of Benjamin.
HATCH, W.
HAVEN, RHODES.
HENDERSON, HENRY.
Tax collector, 1770.
HENSHAW, JOSHUA.
( )n committee to demand removal of
troops.
HEWES, SAMUEL.
One of the 58 Boston merchants of
1760. Banished.
HICHBORNE, THOMAS.
HIGGINS, SYLVESTER.
HILL, ALEXANDER.
Ancestor of Edward Everett.
HODSON, THOMAS.
Owned land on Beacon Hill,
HOLLAND, JOHN.
HOMER, WILLIAM.
HOOD, JOSEPH.
HOWARD, SAMUEL.
Was a captain ; his apprentice was John
Clark, wounded at the massacre.
APPENDIX VII
2/5
IIUBBELL, JOSIAH.
HUNT, JOAH.
Shipjoiner, lived in Charter Street.
HUSSEY, SYLVESTER.
INCHES, HENDERSON.
A ropemaker connected with Bunker
family, prominent in stamp trouble.
INGERSOLL, DANIEL.
Member of tea-party.
JACKSON, JOSEPH.
See Scots' Charitable Society, Sun
Tavern.
JENKINS, JONA.
JOHNSON, GEORGE.
KELL, SAMUEL.
Pilot on sloop Liberty, Nantucket.
HENDRICK, JOHN.
Captain of the Columbia.
KENT, WILLIAM.
KNOX, THOMAS.
LAMBERT, JOHN.
LANGDON, JOHN, JUN.
LINCOLN, BENJAMIN, ESQ.
General in Revolution. First collec
tor of customs of United States at
Boston.
Mi NOT, GEORGE.
Had a warehouse in 1754 on Minot's
T, a wharf on the northerly side of
Long Wharf.
MITCHELL, REBEKAII.
MOORE, HUGH.
Burnt out in 1760.
MOORE, JOSEPH.
MORE, WILLIAM.
NELSON, ROBERT.
NEWELL, JOHN.
NOWELL, JOSEPH.
Now ELL, SAMUEL.
PADDOCK, ADINO.
Set out the Paddock Kims. Coach-
builder. Violent Tory.
£>
LONG, JOHN.
LORING, CALEB.
LORING, WILLIAM.
MACCY, REUBEN.
MACKETT, JONATHAN.
MARRABLE, THOMAS.
MASON, JONATHAN.
A leading business-man in 1760.
MERRICK, TILLEY.
A merchant at Concord, Mass.
MERRICK, MARY.
Wife of Tilley.
MCLEAN, JOHN.
Founder of McLean Asylum.
PALFREY, WILLIAM.
Property confiscated and sold in 1780.
PARKER, DANIEL.
PERKINS, DANIEL.
PERKINS, JAMES.
Boston merchant ; gave Athe
naeum building.
Pico, JOSHUA.
PIPER, WALTER.
PIERPONT, ROBERT.
Connected with the guard-house
trouble of 1768.
POLLARD, BENJAMIN.
Colonel of Cadets in 1745.
POPE, SAMUEL, JUN.
PRATT, SAMUEL.
PRENTISE, HENRY.
Of tea-party.
PRICE, Ez.
PRINCE, CAPTAIN JOB.
QUINCY, EDMUND, 3d.
Judge, born 1703, married Klizaboth
Wendell. He was son of Kdmund
Quincy and Dorothy Flint. F.li/,a-
beth Wendell was daughter of Abra
ham, brother of Jacob.
276
APPENDIX VII
RAWSON, PAUL.
REED, WILLIAM.
RICHARDSON, JOHN.
ROBINSON, JOHN.
A Commissioner of Customs, who as
saulted James Otis, Sept. 5, 1760,
and caused a fatal injury to the bril
liant young lawyer.
ROBINS, JAMES.
Ross, WILLIAM.
RUSSELL, BARNABAS.
RUSSELL, JOSEPH.
A director in Old U. S. Hank.
RUSH, ENOCH.
S ALTER, SAMPSON.
SALTER, THOMAS.
SAYVVARD, JONATHAN.
A business-man of 1 760.
SEARS, DAVID.
Son of Daniel, opulent merchant in
Boston ; married Ann, daughter of
John Winthrop, Esq. They were
parents of Hon. David Sears.
SELLON, JOHN.
SELLON, SAMUEL.
SEVVELL, JOSEPH.
Pastor of Old South Church, died
June 27, 1769.
SHARPS, GIBBINS.
SHED, JOSEPH.
SHERMAN, ABRAHAM.
SIMPSON, JOHN.
SHIRLEY, JOHN.
SHIRLEY, MEHITABLE.
SKELTON, SIMEON.
SKILLIN, JOHN.
SMITH, ELIPHALET.
SMITH, HENRY.
SNELLINGS, JONATHAN.
SNOW, JOSEPH, JUN.
SPEAR, JOSEPH.
SPRIGS, GEORGE.
STUNBRIDGE, HENRY.
STURGIS, THOMAS.
STURGIS, SAMUEL.
SWAIN, STEPHEN.
SYMMES, ANDREW, 30.
In patriot service, 1776.
SYMMES, THOMAS,
THAYER, EBENEZER, JUN.
THORNTON, TIMOTHY.
TILESTON, REBECCA.
Mother of " Master Johnny " (Porter).
TILESTON, ONESIMUS (?).
TILESTON, THOMAS.
Admiral, 1771.
TINKER, SILVANUS.
TOWNSEND, ANDREW.
TURNER, MARY.
Wife of Thomas.
TURNER, THOMAS.
TYLER, EDWARD.
Son of Moses.
TYLER, MOSES.
VINSON, JONATHAN.
WATERHOUSE, SAMUEL.
WALLEY, THOMAS.
Active in non -importation, 1769.
WALKER, THOMAS.
A founder of Hollis-street Church.
WALKER, JOHN.
A founder of Hollis-street Church.
WATERMAN, THOMAS.
A founder of the Royal Arch Chapter,
F. A. M.
WELLS, SUSANNA.
WENDELL, JACOB.
Prominent man of I5oston ; Colonel of
Boston Regiment, 1745.
WENDELL, OLIVER, 1772.
Grandfather of O. W. Holmes.
WESTON, ELIPHAC.
WHEATLEY, NATHANIEL.
APPKNDJX I'll 277
WlIEATER, JOSEPH. W1MHLE, W.
WHITNEY, DANIEL. WINTER, EDWARD.
WHITNEY, SIMEON. WINTHROP, ADAM.
On committee to convey thanks ot
WHITE, JOHN. tuwn to Peter Kaneuil for market.
Merchant at Concord, Mass. WlNTHROI', ANDREW.
WILDER, JOSEPH. WINSI.OW, ISAAC, JUN.
WILLIAMS, JONATHAN. WINSLOW, JOSHUA.
WILLIAMS, ROBERT. WINSOR, JONATHAN.
WILLIAMS, THOMAS.
BUSINESS FIRMS.
BENJAMIN & EDWARD DAVIS. SCOTT & ('.ILL.
Nan tucket.
BOWLES & LUCRES. gnv HUSSEY & CQ
BUNKER, JENKINS, & BARNARD. Nantucket.
GREEN & BOYLSTON. STEPHEN & E/EKIEL 1 1 ALL.
JACKSON & KING, 1771. THOMAS D. & JOSEPH DAKIN.
JONATHAN GUSHING & Co. THOMAS, MAKRAKLE, & HUNT
JOSIAH BARKER & Co. WM. & MICHAEL HOMER.
Nantucket. WlIIPPLE & WllEATON.
NATHANIEL APPLETON & Co.
NICH. BROWN & Go.
Providence.
INDEX
AHBOTT, Samuel, 48.
Adams, John, 3, 101, 137, 164, 197,
199, 200, 201, 204, 209.
Adams, Samuel, 55, 84, 100, 101,
104, 120, 137, 153, 154, 164,
167, 184, 193, 194, 197, 199,
201, 247.
Adventure, ship, 72, 76.
Allen, Captain David, 78.
Amory, Thomas, 48.
Amsterdam, 13, 1 8.
Andover, 165.
Andrews, John, 179.
Annapolis, 9, 15, 16, 17, 113;
Fort, 29.
Antigua, 72.
Apthorp, Rev. East, 19.
Apthorp & Hancock, 41.
Appleton, John, 49, 107 ; Nathan
iel, 49, 107.
Assistance, writs of, 33.
Assembly, General, 112, 158, 172,
!75-
Auchmuty, Robert, Esq., 35, 39, 62.
Austin, Jonathan William, 225.
Baker, Mary, 106.
Baltimore, 213, 214, 241.
Bant, Mr., 222, 227.
Barnard, Jonathan, Esq., 9 ; &
Co., letter to, u, 12, 14, 15, 17,
21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30,
33' 35» 36> 37, 42.
Barnard & Harrison, 43, 47, 48, 49,
51, 54, 57, 63, 67, 69.
Barnards & Harrison, letter to, 70,
90, 92, 108, 117, 119, 120, 124,
131, 233, 249, 251.
Barnards & Harrison, 75,80, 83, 85,
89, 92, 113, 114, 122, 123, 142.
Barker & Burnell, 86, 122.
Barrington, Lord, 160."
Bastide, Major General, 26, 28.
Bastide, Mr., 28 ; Mrs., 28.
Beaver, tea-ship, 178.
Bedford parsonage, 4, 5, 13
Bedford line, 194.
Bennett, George, 194.
Bernard, Governor, 58, 84, 99, 108,
123, 159, 160, 162, 165, 167.
Beth, William, 12, 13, 18, 35.
Bethune, Nathaniel, 39.
Billerica, 191, 194.
Birkbeck, Benjamin, 26.
Blake, Captain, 68.
Blanchard & Hancock, 51, 54 ;
Caleb, 64, 107.
Bland, Richard, 200.
Bond, Doctor, 218.
Bordeaux, 61.
Boscowen, ship, 27, 30.
Boston, 13, 116, 158, 160, 161,
163, 172, 177, 178, 189, 191,
200, 205 ; blockaded, 184; Com
mon, 126, 127, 162 ; evacuated,
206 ; harbor, 138 ; massacre,
279
280
INDEX
167 ; population, 109 ; troops
in, 159, 161, 165 ; troops out,
167, 205 ; town-meeting, 151 ;
tea-party, 181.
Bowes, William, 13, 48, 116, 119,
232, 235 ; Rev. Nicholas, 13 ;
Nicholas, 155; Lucy Hancock, 13.
Bowes, Mr., 131, 170 ; Lyclia, 174;
friend, 134.
Braintree, 147.
Brest, 46, 79.
Bridge, Rev. Mr., 129.
Bridgewater, 148.
Brattle-street Church, 173, 177,
224, 247 ; family, 19.
Brimmer, Susannah, 107.
Breck, William, 137.
Bristol, 122.
Brookbank, shoemaker, 59.
Brown, Samuel and Ebenezer, 107;
brothers, 252.
Bromfield, Colonel Henry, 110,
ill, 250.
Bruce, Captain James, 178.
Bulkley, Captain Peter, 32.
Bunker, Hezekiah, 102 ; Paul, 68,
102.
Bunker Hill, 53, 63 ; battle of,
209.
Burdened by taxes, 90.
Burr, Aaron, 204 ; Eunice, 240 ;
Thaddeus, 202, 204, 240.
Burlington, 194.
Butters, William, 135.
Burnell & Barker, 48.
Burnell, Jona, 68 ; Mary, 32.
Buxton & Symmes, 46, 47 ; and
Enderby, 64, 67.
Cahill, Mr., 25.
Calef, ship, 66.
Cambridge, 167, 187, 189, 205.
Campbell, Captain, 27.
Castle William, 160.
Carleton, General, 214.
Cazneau, Captain, 207, 208 ; Isaac,
144, 145 ; Paix, 167.
Champion & Haley, 46, 47, 48, 64.
Chatham, Lord, 209.
Chignecto, 9, 15, 17, 29, 113.
Choate, Rufus, 2.
Clark, Benjamin, 48 ; Christopher,
48; Jonas, 107; Richard no.
Clinton, George, 200.
Codfish, 215, 241.
Coffin, Captain, 127 ; Nathaniel,
33; Hezekiah, 178; Mr., 39;
Shubael, 125 ; ship, 127.
Collier, Mrs., 223.
Commissioners of customs, 154.
Concord, 187, 192, 196.
Congress, Continental, 171, 198,
200, 213, 215, 221, 225, 247 ;
Provincial, 188, 189, 190, 193,
196, 200 ; Massachusetts, 200.
Connecticut, State, 198.
Cook, Rev. Samuel, 13.
Cooper, Rev. Dr., 28, 193, 231.
Cork, 134.
Costumes, Colonial, 36, 37.
Covenhoven, Captain, 35.
Crowes, Miss, 21.
Cruger, Henry, 175.
Cunningham, John, 48, 133.
Gushing, Thomas, 101, 153, 184,
197, 199.
Dalrymple, Lieut. -Colonel, 161,
162.
Daverson, Captain, 135, 145, 146,
163-
Dartmouth, ship, 43, 178 ; town,
43-
Davis, William, 135.
Deane, Silas, 199.
Deblois, Gilbert, 58.
281
Delaware River, 213.
D'Estaing, Count, 227, 239, 240,
250.
Delancy, Mr., 38.
Devonshire, ship, 24.
Devonshire and Reeves, 54, 97,
122; letter to, 13, 24, 57, 108,
118.
Diney, Captain, 49.
Doble, Captain William, 66.
Dogclt, Captain, 57.
Donaldson, John, 207.
Dorchester, 6.
Dyson, Mr., 15.
East India Company, 178, 179.
Edes& Gill, 163.
Edwards, Captain, 72, 76.
Eleanor, tea-ship, 178.
Eliot, Samuel, 48, 107, 178, 234 ;
Mrs., 236.
Elizabeth, ship, 46.
England, n, 20, 50, 123, 148, 158,
159, 238, 251.
Fairfield, Conn., 202, 221, 240.
Faneuil Hall, 83, 101, 103, 124,
126, 127, 157, 159, '162, 185,
224, 225, 229 ; market, 60.
Faneuil, Peter, 56, 68.
Farr, Captain, 28.
Far rah, Captain, 72.
Fleming, John, 95.
Fletcher, Samuel, 107.
Flucker, lion. Thomas, 79; secre
tary, 185, 1 86.
Fitch, Mr. Timothy, 39, 46, 47, 68.
Fly, brig, 58.
Folger, 1 10.
Folger, Captain, 23, 39 ; Mr., 23,
24, 25.
Folger & Gardiner, 26, 30, 33, 42.
Folger & Starbuck, 99, 114.
Fort 1 1 ill, I So.
Foster, William, 234.
Franklin, Benjamin, 200.
Franks, Moses, 207.
Freeman, Captain, 118.
Funeral customs, 44, 45.
Gage, General, 123, 159, 162, 163,
191, 195, 197, 201, 206, 208,
252.
Gage, Governor, 79, 184, 185, 186,
189.
Gardiner, William, no.
Gerrish, Mr., 15, 16, 29 ; Ben
jamin, Esq., 35, 38, 107.
Gray, Harrison, treasurer, 74, 79,
149.
Gray, Thomas, 145? !5O> William,
49-
Graham, John M., 184.
Granary Burying-Ground, 2, 73.
Great Britain, 69, 120, 124, 154,
165, 209.
Green, Rufus, 49.
Greenwood, Miles, 15.
Gridley, Jeremiah, 101 ; Mr., 142.
Griffin's Wharf, 180 ; Mr., 117.
Griffith, Parson, 75.
Haley, George, 94, 129, 145, 147,
148, 149, 150, 155, 157, 163,
168, 235 ; Mr., 144, 233 ; Mrs.,
234, 236 ; Mrs. Mary, 235.
Haley & Hopkins, 164, 165, 166,
168, 169, 172, 176; letters to,
167, 173, 176, 177, 183.
Halfmoon, sign, 58.
Hall, Captain James, 178.
Halifax, N. S., 15, 38, 43, 119,
156 ; Mass., 191.
Hancock, John, I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8,
M, 17. 34, 37. 43' 45. 54, 55.62,
66, 77, 84, 89, 93, 96, 98, 101,
IO2, IO6, IO7, III, 112, 113,
282
INDEX
115, 116, 117, 120, 123, 125,
129, 130, 136, 139, 147, 154,
!55> 156, 157, 164, 165, i 66,
167, 171, 172, 179, 184, 185,
191, 194, 195, 196, 199, 201,
2O2, 203, 2O6, 211, 215, 2 1 8,
220, 221, 223, 225, 228, 229,
236, 239, 241, 247, 251, 252.
Hancock, Hon. John, 173, 223 ;
colonel, 176, 184, 185, 191 ;
major-general, 227.
Hancock, John, ability, 212 ;
adopted, 4 ; aids others, 105,
116; "and his crew," 108 ;
apologizes, 115 ; counting-house,
loo, 124, 185 ; daughter, 213 ;
dress, 242 ; arrested, 164 ; broth
erly love, 170, 171 ; benevolent,
173, 174, 177 ; coach, 104, 198 ;
town-meeting, 153 ; moderator of
town-meeting, 183, 224 ; select
man, 68,84, l6l> l62> l83> 186,
187, 188; sentiments, 119 ; Gen
eral Court, 129, 152, 162, 164,
165, 172, 183, 184, 187, 230;
illness, 134, 147, 182, 222 ; gifts,
224 ; indignation, 136, 142, 143 ;
massacre orator, 183 ; tenants,
145 ; mother, 147 ; name in cor
ner-stone, 224 ; memorial, 194 ;
marriage, 204 ; names son, 202 ;
Continental Congress, 186, 190,
2O2, 207, 247 ; Provincial Con
gress, 187, 189, 192 ; reception
in New York, 198 ; Worcester,
200 ; son dies, 233 ; signs Dec
laration of Independence, 21 1 ;
resigns as president, 221 ; re
ception in Boston, 223 ; reviews
destruction by British army, 224 ;
thanked, 224 ; paid bills for
public, 229 ; never paid, 231 ;
business-house destroyed, 232 ;
death, 243 ; funeral, 244 ; grave,
245 ; monument, 246 ; in Con
stitutional Convention, 231 ; gov
ernor, 231 ; major-general, 227.
Hancock, Rev. John, 3, 13, 147.
Hancock, John, nephew of patriot,
248.
Hancock & Adams, 192, 193.
Hancock, Ebenezer, 4, 54, 170,
171, 248, 250.
Hancock, Madam, 7, 173, 176, 177,
189, 193 ; Lydia, 174, 192, 239,
240.
Hancock, Mrs., 21, 28, 32, 39, 210,
215, 218, 221, 223, 235, 236,
241, 242.
Hancock, Mrs. John, 240 ; Lydia
Henchman, 213, 223.
Hancock, Lucy, 5, 13.
Hancock, Mrs. Dorothy, 6, 227 ;
marries James Scott, 247.
Hancock, Mary. 4, 148.
Hancock, Thomas, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8,
9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 27, 30, 35,
36, 38, 41 ; death, 44; estate, 60,
68, 78, 123, 145, 239.
Hancock's Letters —
To his aunt, 7.
General Washington, 201,205,
207, 210.
Dolly, his wife, 216, 218-220,
221, 222, 225.
General Ward, 212.
General Schuyler, 206.
General Montgomery, 206.
The thirteen States, 212, 213.
New England, 214.
Mr. Purviance, 228.
Robert Morris, 231.
James Scott, 233.
Hancock home, 123, 156.
Hancock mansion, 9, 137, 188, 192,
208, 227, 238.
INDEX
283
Hancock's store, 60, 106.
Hancock's wharf, 8, 99, 156, 175.
Hanson, Thomas, 207.
Harris, Mr., 34.
Harrison & Ansley, 168, 177.
Harrison, brig, 120, 125.
Harrison, Mr., 36.
Harrison, ship, 69, 86.
Harrison, Gilbert, 170.
Harrisons & Barnard, letter to, 125,
I3I> 134, 135, 138, 139-
Harrison, Barnard, & Sprag, 140,
145, 146, 149.
Hartford, Conn., 221.
Harvard College, 5; hall, 58 ; li
brary, 93 ; town, 1 1 1.
Hawks, Mary, 148.
Henchman, house, 5-
Henshaw, Joshua, 101, 137.
Hill, Lamar & Bissett, 150.
Hillegas, Mr., 219.
Hingham, 148.
Holbrook, schoolmaster, 189.
Honnog, John, 25, 26.
Hood, Captain, 165.
Hood, Commodore, 1 60.
Hoskins William, 232, 233, 234,
236, 253.
Howe, General, 216 ; Mrs. Ed
ward, 41.
Huline, Captain, 83.
Hunter, Captain, 24.
Hutchinson, Foster, 108.
Ilutchinson, Gov., 79, 157, 184,
185 ; Lieut. -Gov., 84, 108, 167.
Hutchinson, Thomas, 172.
Independence, Declaration of, 8,
129, 211, 212.
Ireland, 37, 64.
Jackson, Clement, 105, 107, 133.
Jackson, Edward, 118.
Jamaica Plain, 138, 157, 161.
Jacobson, Capt. Howard, 27, 28,
30, 124.
Jefferson, Thomas, 200 ; statement,
209.
Jenkins, Mr. Arthur, 54.
Jones, Mr., 38.
Jones, Arthur, 106.
Jones & Co., 107.
Jones, Madam, 194.
Jones, Robert, 129.
Jones, William, 54, 140.
Kent, Benjamin, 101.
Kidder, Peabody, & Co., 252.
Kilby & Barnard, 145.
Kilby & Symmes, 135.
Kilby, Barnard, & Parker, 10, 40.
Kilby, Christopher, Esq., 32.
King's army, 161.
King's Bridge, N.V., 198.
King George III., 211.
Kirk, Thomas, 156.
Knowles, Admiral, 51.
Knox, General, 79.
Lafayette, 240, 248.
Lamar, Hill, & Bissett, 80.
Lane, Mr., 146.
Lane & Booth, 66.
Lane, Benson, & Co., 134.
Lechmere family, 19.
Lee, Richard Henry, 200.
Lepley, Mr., 23.
Lesley, Andrew, 36.
Lewis, Mr., 40.
Lexington, 3, 5, 13, 192.
Lexington alarm, 198.
Lexington common, 252.
Lexington parsonage, 192, 193, 252.
Liberty, sloop, 102, 122, 130, 133,
156, 164; Sons of, 119, 126, 127;
tree, 100, 119; pole, 119.
284
INDEX
Lincoln, Benjamin, 187.
Lisbon, 81.
Livingston, Robert, 200.
Lockman, Major, 38.
Lord North, 167.
Louisburg, C.B., II, 63.
Lowell, Elizabeth, 248.
Loring, Captain, 178.
London, 6, 42, 106, 113, 122, 124,
130, 131, 134, 135, 145, 163,
164, 170, 200.
London merchants, 123, 140, 223,
243> 251.
Longman, Thomas, 92, 93, 94, 95.
Long Wharf, 184.
Loyalists, 97, 108, 154, 159, 206,
227, 230.
Luce, Mr., 217.
Lunenburg, 173.
Lydia, brig, 42, 43, 46, 47, 56, 57,
76, 102, 114, 148, 158, 165, 168,
182.
Madeira, 80, 147, 149, 156, 251 ;
wine, 129, 149, 152.
Marion, Joseph, 50.
Marshall, Captain John, 53, 76, 99,
103, 107, 119; Captain James,
156.
Mackellar, Major Patrick, 27, 28.
Martha's Vineyard, 69.
Marshfield, 191.
Mary, ship, 25.
Massachusetts, State of, 201.; stand
by it, 198 ; staple of, 215.
Mauduct, Jasper, 74, 79.
McCloud, David, 39, 46, 68, 79.
Mein, John, 94, 95.
Merchants' agreement, 89.
Middleboro, 191.
Milton, 180.
Moor& Smith, 140.
Morris, Hon. Robert, 231.
Monk, Christopher, 183.
Montgomery, General, 206.
Montreal, 206.
Nantucket, 39, 43, 46, 69, 86, 122,
125.
Negro slavery in Boston, 55, 91 ;
Othello, in ; Cuff, 194.
New Bedford, 43.
Newbury, 34, 57.
New Castle, 44, 81.
Newell, Timothy, 137.
Newfoundland, 10, II.
Newport, R.I., 227.
New York, 123, 160, 163, 196, 198,
200, 209, 2l6, 220.
Nicholson, Captain, 217, 220.
Non-Importation, 45.
Nova Scotia, 9, 16, 41, 47, 113,
114, 162, 176.
Old Brick Meeting-house, 225, 231.
Old South Meeting-house, 157, 180,
224.
Oliver, Andrew, 83, 100 ; effigy
of, 84.
Otis, James, 33, 34, 35, 39, 62,
101, 106, 124, 129, 137, 142,
!53> J54 > assaulted, 165.
Pacific Club, Nantucket, 67.
Paine, Robert Treat, 197, 199.
Palfrey, William, 136, 145, 167,
169, 178, 183.
Palfrey, Mr., 143, 176, 179.
Palfrey, Colonel William, 167.
Packet Boston, 23, 33, 36, 37, 39,
42, 44, 46, 47, 49, 57, 76 ; pic
ture of, 67, 100, 114, 130.
Park-street Church, 245.
Pendleton, Edmund, 200.
Penzance, 80.
Pepperell, Sjr William, 63.
1\'DEX
285
Percy, Earl, 189, 208.
Perkins, Rev. Daniel, 148.
Phillips, William, no, 137, 184.
Philadelphia, 29, 30, 178, 181,
186, 196, 200, 204, 205, 213,
220, 221, 231, 239, 241.
I'hips family, 19.
Pluckrose, Mr., 218.
Plymouth, 120, 249.
Port Bill, 186.
Porter, Rev. Edward G., 16.
Pownall, Thomas, 6, 163, 164 ;
Governor, 124.
Precinct Parsonage, 194.
Privateering authorized, 202.
Province Treasury, 78.
Purviance, Samuel, 214, 217, 218 ;
Mr., 218, 220; Mrs., 217, 220.
Quarantine laws, 55.
Quincy, Dorothy, 189, 239.
Quincy, Miss, 192, 194, 198, 203 ;
at Fairfield, Conn., 202.
Quincy, Edmund, letter to J. II.,
21 1 ; to Mrs. J. II., 227.
Randolph, Peyton, 200, 201.
Randolph, Mr., 210.
Ransom money, 47.
Revere, Paul, 127, 192, 247.
Reeves, William, 137, 153, 155.
Revenue Acts, 154, 155, 166.
Robson, Thomas, 49.
Rotch, Francis, 42, 43, 178.
Rotch, Mr., 42, 1 80.
Rotch, Joseph, 43.
Rotch, William, 42, 43, 57, 64, 65,
66, 77, 178, 250.
Rowe, John, 55, 101.
Romney, frigate, 156, 157, 164.
Royall, Mr., 23.
Ruddock, John, 101.
Ruskin, 2.
Salem, 57, 186.
Salisbury, Edward E., 198.
Savage, Mr. Arthur, 54, 138.
Schuyler, General Philip, 206.
Scott, James, 24, 25, 33, 42, 43,
44, 56, 102, 105, 116, 148, 155,
1 77, 232, 236, 237, 238, 247, 248.
Scott, Joseph, 61.
Scott, Madam, 189, 247, 248.
Scollay, John, 61.
Sewall & Lewis, 63, 70.
Sewall, Katy, 203 ; Samuel, 101.
Sherman, Roger, 199.
Shirley, Governor William, 51, 112;
town, 174.
Small-pox, 56, 57, 188.
Smith, Josiah, 58 ; Henry, 81, 130;
Captain, 122.
Stamp Act, 69, 81, 84, 86, 87, 92,
103, 105, 112, 118, 122, 124,
125, 126, 130 ; stamps arrive,
83? 89 ; paper, 82.
Stamp Act, expenses of, 92.
State House, Old, 44, 162, 184,
185, 224, 231.
Stockton, Captain Robert, 1 1.
Symmes, Thomas, 61.
Taoli, ship, 170.
Tea-ships arrive, 178.
Thatcher, Oxenbridge, Esq., 35 ;
died, 84 ; Rev. Peter, 247.
Thaxter, Samuel, 148.
Thanksgiving, annual, 187.
Tories, 1 19.
Tory Row, 19, 205.
Town-meetings forbidden, 187,
Townsend, Mr., 29 ; Channy, 83 ;
Solomon, 241.
Trafford & Elms, 10.
Tricothick & Co., 34 ; Mr., 146.
Ticonderoga, 214.
Tuton, ship, 49.
286
INDEX
Tyler, Royal, 48.
Virginia, 201.
Waitt, Eleanor Hoskins, 232.
Ward, General Artemas, 212; Eliza
beth, 212.
Wales, Mrs. William, 6, 216, 218,
222, 242, 248.
Water town, 196.
Waldo, J.&D., 49, 133.
Warren, Dr., 192.
Warren, General, 52, 232.
Warren, Joseph, 63, 154.
Warren, Lady, 18, 38, 39, 62.
Warren, Sir Peter, 18, 62.
Washington, George, 200, 205, 206,
240; words of, 209; Col., 51, 200.
Washington, Mrs., 210, 218.
Washington, letter to Hancock,
209; nominated, 201 ; called to
Philadelphia, 210 ; commander-
in-chief, 215.
Wendell, John, 9, 13; Edmund,
46.
Wendell & Hancock, 12.
Wendell, Judge, 235 ; Oliver, 250.
Weston, 58, 193.
West Indies, 135.
Wharton & Bowes, 107, 133.
Wheelwright, Nathaniel, 39, 61.
Whitney, Abigail, 107, 131 ; S.,
and daughter, 133; Thomas, 174;
Rev. Phineas, 174.
Whittemore, General, n, 27, 28 ;
Captain Edward, II, 27, 28.
Wigglesworth, Edward, 107.
Williams, Mr., 29.
Williamson, Dr., 178.
Wilmington, Dela., 217.
Winthrop, Adam, 182.
Wisenhall, Dr., 220.
Wolcott, Governor Roger, 245, 246.
Worcester, 221.
Wright & Gill, 54, 94, 96.
Wyman, Amos, 194.
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