DOCUMENT BEARING THE FAMOUS SIGNATURE OF FOUNDING FATHER JOHN HANCOCK AND HIS WIFE DOROTHY QUINCY HANCOCK

Document signed by John Hancock and his wife Dorothy Hancock. Boston, 10 April 1787. 2 pages, folio, 7 1/2 x 12 in. Docketing to verso. 

A receipt featuring the bold and distinctive signature of Founding Father John Hancock (1737-1793). A land deed, signed by Hancock during the interregnum between his terms as governor of Massachusetts, in which he records his acceptance of £200 from Jonathan Bowman in exchange for "a certain Tract of Land" in Lincoln County.

Below John Hancock's famous autograph appears the signature of his wife, Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830). Dorothy Quincy hailed from the influential and well-connected Quincy family of Massachusetts. Her father was an ardent patriot, and the likes of John Adams, Sam Adams, Dr. Joseph Warren, and John Hancock were entertained at her home. Dorothy was in Lexington, Massachusetts, on 19 April 1775 and witnessed the first shots of the American Revolution, as well as the flight to safety of her soon-to-be husband John Hancock. Hancock and Dorothy, whom he affectionately called "Dolly," were married on 28 August 1775 in Fairfield, Connecticut. Known for her beauty, wit, and intellect, she would serve her husband as a faithful partner, hostess, secretary, and friend.

At the time Hancock signed this receipt, he would soon start his second term as governor of Massachusetts, despite his failing health. After a prolific career in early American politics, including service as the 4th and 7th President of the Continental Congress, in which capacity he famously signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, Hancock used his status to ensure Massachusetts ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788. He was a candidate for the first presidential election but only received four electoral votes. Hancock executed the duties of his office until his death in 1793. 

RARE. We locate only two documents signed by Dorothy Hancock coming to auction in the last hundred years, and this appears to be the only document jointly signed by both John and Dorothy appearing at auction in that same time frame.

[American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] 

Separated at fold with some archival tape. Some toning.