Hancock's father, a Congregationalist minister, died when he was a boy of seven, leaving his mother a destitute widow with three children, and he was adopted by his uncle, Thomas Hancock, a rich Boston merchant. John grew up to become the richest man in New England. He was also a successful lawyer, again following in his uncle's footsteps.

He was the third president of the Continental Congress 1775-77, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted, and thus became the first man to sign it, and was governor of Massachusetts for nine terms, dying in office.

References

Dever, Maria, and Dever, Aileen. Relative Origins: Famous Foster and Adopted People. (Portland: National Book Company, 1992)
Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia, 1993-97
Dictionary of American Biography
Koslow, Philip. John Hancock: A Signature Life. (New York: Franklin Watts Inc., 1998) (Book Report Biographies)
Kallen, Stuart A. John Hancock. (Minneapolis: Abdo, 1999) (Founding Fathers)
Brandes, Paul D. John Hancock's Life and Speeches: A Personalized Vision of the American Revolution. (Lanham: Scarecrow Press, 1996)
McGranahan, Ronald W. "The American Revolution Home Page: John Hancock." [Includes portrait]. Available at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ronmcgranahan/hancock.html
Grant, George. "The Forgotten Presidents." Available at: http://capo.org/kmsc/presidnt.html

Indexes

European
USA
18th Century
Business and Industry
Rulers, Nobles, Chiefs, Presidents, Prime Ministers
Philanthropists
School-age Years, Adolescence
Unmarried Mother, Single Parent (Mother or Father) Unable to Cope
Poverty
Uncles and Aunts, Parents' Uncles and Aunts
Wealthy, Famous, Noble or Divine Adoptive or Foster Families
Parent(s) Died, Disappeared or Became Incapacitated
Birth Sibling(s) Separated