John Hancock Biography and Timeline

Election

Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Massachusetts House

Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Massachusetts House

Appointed Speaker to the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Speaker

Appointed Speaker to the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Boston Massacre

After the Boston Massacre a meeting of citizens at Faneuil Hall appoints a committee, which includes Hancock, to meet with Governor Hutchinson and Colonel Dalrymple to demand the removal of the troops

Boston Tea Party

Aimed Tea Act of 1773, which allowed the British East India company to sell tea from China in American colonies without paying taxes

Role range: 1775-1783

Boston Tea Party

Colonists object to the Tea Act because they believe it violates their rights to "no taxation without representation"

Role range: 1775-1783

Boston Tea Party

Demonstrators destroy an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company

Role range: 1775-1783

Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party is a protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston

Role range: 1775-1783

Boston Tea Party

The British Government responds harshly and the episode escalates into the American Revolution

Role range: 1775-1783

Sons of Liberty

The Boston Tea Party is a protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston

Role range: 1775-1783

Boston Massacre

The fourth anniversary of the Boston Massacre, gives a speech strongly condemning the British

Role range: 1775-1783

Battle of Lexington

Paul Revere supposedly rouses them about midnight before the British troops arrive at dawn for the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Hancock and Samuel Adams slip away from Boston to elude capture, staying in the Hancock-Clarke House in Lexington. Following the battle a proclamation is issued granting a general pardon to all who would demonstrate loyalty to the crown-with the exceptions of Hancock and Adams

Role range: 1775-1783

Boston Tea Party

Hancock's boycott of tea imported by the British East India Company leads to the Boston Tea Party

Role range: 1775-1783

British East India Company

Hancock's boycott of tea imported by the British East India Company leads to the Boston Tea Party

Role range: 1775-1783

Committee of Safety

Presides over the Massachusetts Provincial Congress Committee of Safety

Role range: 1775-1783

Massachusetts Provincial Congress

Hancock's boycott of tea imported by the British East India Company leads to the Boston Tea Party

Role range: 1775-1783

Massachusetts Provincial Congress

Presides over the Massachusetts Provincial Congress Committee of Safety

Role range: 1775-1783

Massachusetts Provincial Congress

Unanimously elected President of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress

Role range: 1775-1783

Massachusetts Provincial Congress

Under Hancock Massachusetts is able to raise bands of "minutemen"-soldiers who pledged to be ready for battle

Role range: 1775-1783

Minutemen

Under Hancock Massachusetts is able to raise bands of "minutemen"-soldiers who pledge to be ready for battle on short notice

Role range: 1775-1783

Continental Congress

Elected President of the Second Continental Congress, succeeding Peyton Randolph after Henry Middleton declined the nomination

Role range: 1775-1783

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration is adopted by the Continental Congress & signed by John Hancock. Signs the Declaration of Independence in large letters so King George can read it. Hancock is best-remembered for his large, flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence, so much so that "John Hancock" has become, in the United States, an informal synonym for "signature"

Role range: 1775-1783

Independence of United States of America

The Declaration is adopted by the Continental Congress & signed by John Hancock

Role range: 1775-1783