“The town has done a wise thing this day. They have made this young man’s fortune their own.” – Samuel Adams.
A series of violent protests included the destruction of the home of Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson. Mud stained papers from Hutchinson’s home remain in the Massachusetts Archives.
John Hancock was sympathetic to the protesters although not in favor of the violence. However, as a wealthy man he also did not want to be the next target. Hancock sided with Samuel Adams.