About John Hancock – gossip, truth, opinion?
John Hancock, one of the richest men in America, already had a price of 500 pounds on his head when he signed the Declaration of Independence as President of the Continental Congress He signed as he always did, not one speck larger than normal. This was the culmination of three days of wrangling and 86 alterations made to the original draft. These men who signed were heroes, alike in their dedication to the cause, but vastly unalike in their personal lives.
John Hancock was no exception, we are all familiar with his story, the history books recount the facts, and there are the myths as well. But what of the man himself?
From the distaff viewpoint: Abigail Adams did not always sing his praises – she referred to him as the ‘tinkeling cymbal’ in discussing his popularity in the 1780 election for Governor of Massachusetts; and in a November letter to her dear husband notes that “Last week his Excellency gave a very Grand Ball, to introduce our republican form of government properly upon the Stage.” In earlier letters she mentions “a military company under Mr. Hancock that is much talked about here”. (For John Hancock, wealthy merchant, yearned for military command, and would have willingly taken the place of George Washington).
But from Mercy Otis Warren, the historian: Mr. Hancock was a young gentleman of fortune, of more external accomplishments than of real abilities. He was polite in manners, easy in address, affable, civil and liberal. With these accomplishments he was capricious, sanguine and implacable. Naturally generous he was profuse in expense; he scattered largesses without discretion, and purchased favors by the waste of wealth until he reached the culmination of his wishes which centered in the focus of popular applause. He enlisted early in the cause of his country, at the instigation of some gentlemen of penetration, who thought his ample fortune might give consideration, while his fickleness could not injure so long as he was under the influence of men of superior judgment.
Opinion - from two very perceptive women who were “on the scene”, and knew the participants.
Showing posts with label Mercy Otis Warren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mercy Otis Warren. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Friday, May 21, 2010
A Brief Diversion
No, I have not abandoned the lineage stories, but am taking a brief hiatus to pay homage to MERCY OTIS WARREN. At the same time I am heading a FaceBook group called Mercy Otis Warren, Poet, Patriot
A truly remarkable woman from Plymouth’s past at the time of the American Revolution - Mercy Otis Warren, wife of General James Warren, mother of five sons. An accomplished housewife and needlewoman, she was also the author of poetry, political satire, a proposed Bill of Rights for the new Constitution and a 2 volume history of the American Revolution.
James and Mercy Warren and their dear friends John and Abigail Adams have left an indelible mark on their time, a valuable resource in their correspondence and activities during those troublesome years.
As I look through the published and non-published writings, and the biographies of this remarkable woman, perhaps it should start here in Plymouth at the corner of North Street and Main with the fine gambrel-roofed house, significant for its associations in early American history, her town house home following her marriage.
Mercy Otis’early years in Barnstable were not of the ordinary - her father James Otis was a man of intellectual habits and he encouraged awareness among his children as he included them in discussion and debate of subjects political and newsworthy at table and at fireside. James Otis was politically a Whig and Presiding Justice of the District Court. He sought culture for its own sake.
Her two older brothers were to be educated for the law at Harvard in Cambridge and Mercy was permitted to join in their studies, although the formal Greek and Latin were not deemed necessary. Not surprisingly, however, she was able to read Virgil and Homer in translation while brother James was plodding through the volumes in their original language. She read the work of Pope, Dryden, Milton, Shakespeare and Raleigh. Conversations and discussion of the ancients was a constant delight and a bond with Jemmie.
At an early age, the poetry of the ancients became a part of Mercy as did their histories. She learned the art of writing from their uncle and instructor, the Rev, Jonathan Russell who wrote his sermons beforehand - and on the Sabbath day she would hear those literary arts sounding as music.
. . .to be continued . . .
A truly remarkable woman from Plymouth’s past at the time of the American Revolution - Mercy Otis Warren, wife of General James Warren, mother of five sons. An accomplished housewife and needlewoman, she was also the author of poetry, political satire, a proposed Bill of Rights for the new Constitution and a 2 volume history of the American Revolution.
James and Mercy Warren and their dear friends John and Abigail Adams have left an indelible mark on their time, a valuable resource in their correspondence and activities during those troublesome years.
As I look through the published and non-published writings, and the biographies of this remarkable woman, perhaps it should start here in Plymouth at the corner of North Street and Main with the fine gambrel-roofed house, significant for its associations in early American history, her town house home following her marriage.
Mercy Otis’early years in Barnstable were not of the ordinary - her father James Otis was a man of intellectual habits and he encouraged awareness among his children as he included them in discussion and debate of subjects political and newsworthy at table and at fireside. James Otis was politically a Whig and Presiding Justice of the District Court. He sought culture for its own sake.
Her two older brothers were to be educated for the law at Harvard in Cambridge and Mercy was permitted to join in their studies, although the formal Greek and Latin were not deemed necessary. Not surprisingly, however, she was able to read Virgil and Homer in translation while brother James was plodding through the volumes in their original language. She read the work of Pope, Dryden, Milton, Shakespeare and Raleigh. Conversations and discussion of the ancients was a constant delight and a bond with Jemmie.
At an early age, the poetry of the ancients became a part of Mercy as did their histories. She learned the art of writing from their uncle and instructor, the Rev, Jonathan Russell who wrote his sermons beforehand - and on the Sabbath day she would hear those literary arts sounding as music.
. . .to be continued . . .
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