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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Merchant Prince


“

The town has done a wise thing this day. They have made this young man’s fortune their own.”

– Samuel Adams to his cousin John, on the occasion of John Hancock’s election to the Massachusetts legislature, 1766

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In November 1765 John Hancock, reputedly Boston’s wealthiest merchant, publicly sided with Samuel Adams in opposition to the Stamp Tax.

A portrait of John Hancock by John Singleton Copley.
John Hancock by John Singleton Copley.  
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Taking a Stand
John Hancock observed attacks on the homes of Oliver and Hutchinson with concern. He did not wish to be next. Yet he had genuine sympathy for the poor and a desire for popularity. Privately he had written to his London agents protesting the Stamp Act. In November 1765 he signed a non-importation agreement. Not yet married, he wrote a note in his letterbook to document his stand for future Hancock children. “It is the united Resolution and Determination of the people here not to Carry on Business under a Stamp.”

A photo of an historic merchants’ petition protesting taxes
In 1758 young John Hancock signed a merchants’ petition protesting taxes. Notice the curlicues under the signature. It is not yet the famous version on the Declaration of Independence but Hancock is working on it.
- Massachusetts Archives.

Pope Day 1765
 November 1 was the date for implementation of the Stamp Act. In Boston the stamps were in storage at Castle William (now Castle Island.) It was too dangerous to unload them. On October 31st, during the season of Pope Day, John Hancock made a dramatic public statement. Samuel Adams had organized a “Union Feast” bringing together members of the North and South End gangs, with respectable politicians and merchants, “with Heart and Hand in fl owing Bowls and bumping Glasses.” John Hancock paid the tab and never looked back.


An illustration of John Hancock’s Beacon Hill Home

John Hancock’s . . . 

A photo of the childhood home of his wife Dorothy Quincy

While Hancock’s . . .

House of Hancock
His benefactions were many, including maintenance of Boston Common, provision of firewood and food for the poor, and donating Boston’s first fire engine. In the depressed economy of 1765 he offered loyal workers a chance to have their own branch store under the name “House of Hancock” with a 50/50 profit sharing agreement. Four clerks accepted the offer. Possibly this was America’s first business franchise.