John Hancock
WHO HE WAS: There is so much more to John Hancock than just his big signature on the Declaration of Independence. He was born in 1737 in Massachusetts. His father died when he was only seven and he was sent to live with his uncle who was a wealthy businessman in Boston. He was well-educated and went to Harvard University. He joined his uncle in business when he graduated and traveled to London, England to take care of his business there. While there, he actually watched King George the Third be crowned.
Like many of his fellow patriots, the taxes that were part of the Stamp Act affected his business and way of life. Like others in Boston, he protested it but he also started to smuggle goods into the country in an effort to get around paying the tax. British officials eventually chose to take one of his ships into custody. This ship was named "The Liberty." John Hancock was taken to court for smuggling but the charges were dropped, perhaps because fellow patriot Samuel Adams, defended him.
WHAT HE SAID: "I will not be a slave. I have a right to the libertys and privileges of the English constitution." -- Written in a letter to John Barnard, referring to the Stamp Act.
