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Massachusetts State Seal
Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

John Hancock portrait, painted by John Singleton Copley

Portrait of John Hancock
c. 1770-1772 Portrait by John Singleton Copley (Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society)

This portrait was done after the death of his uncle, Thomas, when John Hancock inherited the business. Because he holds a pen, it is tempting to assume that this portrait is related to Hancock’s signing of the Declaration of Independence. But, that occurred many years later.