Georgia   Biographies	John Hancock
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http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents:


   JOHN HANCOCK

     John Hancock was born at Quincy, near Boston, and was the son and grandson of eminent clergymen, but, having early lost his father, was indebted for his liberal education to his uncle, a merchant of great wealth and respectability, who sent him to Harvard University, where he was graduated in 1754.  He was then placed in the counting house of his benefactor, and not long afterwards, visited England, where he was present at the coronation of George III, as little prescient, as the monarch himself of the part which he was destine to act in relation to the English Government.  On the sudden demise of his uncle, in 1764, he succeeded to his large fortune and extensive business; both of which he managed with great judgment and munificence.  As a member of the Provincial Legislature, he exerted himself with zeal and resolution against the royal Governor and the British Ministry, and became so obnoxious to them, in consequence, that in the proclamation issued by Gen. Gage, after the battle of Lexington, and a few days before that of Bunker Hill, offering pardon to the rebels, he and Samuel Adams, were especially excepted, their offences being :of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration than that of condign punishment.”  

     Hancock was a President of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, until he was sent as a delegate from the Province to the General Congress at Philadelphia, in 1775.  Soon after his arrival there, he was chosen to succeed Peyton Randolph, as President of that assembly, and was the first to affix his signature to the Declaration of Independence.

Ref:  Sherwood, Adiel, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, 1837, Printed by P. Force, Washington City, pp. 283-285.

                                      HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA

     This county was laid out in 1793.  A part set off to Baldwin, 1807; and a part to Taliaferro, in 1825.  It received its name in honour of John Hancock, whose name appears so conspicuous upon the Declaration of Independence.
     
SPARTA is the seat of justice, twenty-four miles northeast of Milledgeville.
     
The history of this county furnishes a number of instances of longevity.  Dr. Timothy W. Rositta, died in 1845, aged 92; General Henry Mitchell, a soldier of the Revolution, died at 79; Mrs. Tabitha Marchman, at 91; Mrs. Judith Greene, at 84; Captain James Reese, 84; Wm. Wyley, 84; Mrs. Elizabeth Reid, 88; John Hamilton, Esq., 78; Mr. Amos Brantley, aged 70; Dr. Edward Hood, 71.
    
 Among the first settlers of the county were, General H. Mitchell, Bolling Hall, Charles Abercrombie, General Adams, Henry Graybill, Joseph Bryan, Wm. Rees, Jonathan Adams, John Montgomery, Jacob Dennis, Archibald Smith, T. Holt, Thos. Raines, James Bishop, Isham Rees, M. Martin, R. Clarke, R. Shipp, F. Tucker, L. Barnes, W. Wyley, Wm. Saunders, James Thomas, Jesse Pope, Jonas Shivers, Wm. Hardwick, L. Tatum, R. Moreland.

Ref:  White, Rev. George, M. A., HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF GEORGIA, 1854, Pudney & Russell, Publishers, pp. 491-493.  (Reprint 1968, Heritage Papers, Danielsville, GA)






Note:
Adiel Sherwood, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, Washington City,
Printed by P. Force, 1837,  pp. 255-256.
APPENDIX:  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
   "The author conceived that a short biographical sketch of the
individuals after whom the several counties were named, would furnish an
instructive and pleasing appendage to his topographical work...
   Acquainted with the intimate friends of some of the 'venerable dead,'
he has been furnished with sufficient materials to enlarge on their
character...
   There are in the State ninety counties (book printed in 1837, presently
in 2001, there are 159 counties)..."


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