Description:

J. Hancock Pens French & Indian War Customs Document, PSA Graded; Hancock Supplies Probably Destined to Bolster Defenses At Halifax!

A French & Indian War-dated partly printed customs document, with the manuscript portions penned by John Hancock (1736/37-1793), the nephew and business associate of Thomas Hancock, proprietor of the Boston firm House of Hancock. PSA graded Ex 5 and encapsulated. Written in Boston, Massachusetts on January 28, 1762. John Hancock has inscribed approximately 100 words recording the details of the business transaction, as well as signed the document for his uncle as "Thomas Hancock" at upper right. Counter signed by the commander of the Halifax-bound vessel at lower right. Lightly toned and with a few chipped edges. A vertical split only visible verso is repaired along the left side, else near fine. The document measures 9.125" x 4.5" while the slab measures 9.75" x 13.25."

In part:

"Shipped by the Grace of God, in good Order and well Condition'd, by Thomas Hancock by Order of His Excellency Sir Jeffrey Amherst in and upon the sloop called the Phenix whereof is Master, under God, for this present Voyage, Murtughell Carrell [his first name also appears in contemporary records as Marlaugh] and now riding at Anchor in the Harbour of Boston and by God's Grace bound for Halifax in Nova Scotia to say,

Four thousand Three hundred Feet of Two Inch plank
& Thirteen hundred & Eight four feet of Three Inch plank
& One small Box directed to General Bastide

being mark'd and number'd as in the Margin, and are to be deliver'd in the like good Order, and well Condition'd, at the aforesaid Port of Halifax (the Danger of the Seas only excepted) unto William Jeffrey Esq. Storekeeper to the Honlble Board of Ordnance or to his Assigns, Freight for the said Goods To be paid in Boston Twenty pounds Eight shillings Lawfull Money with Primage and Average accustom'd. In witness whereof the Master or Purses of the said sloop hath affirm'd to Two Bills of Lading, all of this Tenor and Date; the one of which Two Bills being accomplish'd, the other One to stand void. And so God send the good sloop to her desir'd Port in Safety. Amen, Dated in Boston Januy 28th 1762…"

The historical background of this customs document is the French & Indian War, a territorial conflict waged primarily between the British Empire and France. The sloop "Phenix" (most likely a misspelling of "Phoenix," the mythical bird) commanded by Captain Carrell was laden with wooden planks and a small box earmarked for "General Bastide." This was John Henry Bastide (ca. 1700-1770) of the Royal Engineers, a career officer and military defensive expert stationed at Halifax, one of the most important ports of British North America. Just a few weeks earlier, on January 4, 1762, Great Britain had declared war on Spain, France's new ally; on January 18, 1762, Spain had declared war on Great Britain. Thus the supplies dispatched by the House of Hancock in late January 1762 for Halifax were probably reserved for military defenses. Just six months later, in July 1762, General Bastide would reinforce and enlarge defenses at the Halifax citadel following the French capture of British-controlled St. John's, Newfoundland. The British did not want to lose Halifax next, and took the appropriate measures.

The young John Hancock was sent to live at his uncle Thomas's residence following his father's death in 1744.(Thomas Hancock (1703-1764) was the younger brother of John's father, John Hancock, Jr. (1702-1744).) Thomas Hancock was one of the most prominent merchants in pre-Revolutionary Boston and profited from a bustling triangular trade between Europe, the Caribbean, and the British colonies. He made a fortune importing and exporting shipbuilding supplies, whale oil, rum, and luxury goods, in addition to extra-legally smuggling tea, molasses, and paper. John Hancock started working at the House of Hancock in 1754, and became a full partner in his uncle's firm in January 1763, just a year after filling out this customs document. Upon Thomas Hancock's death in August 1764, John Hancock inherited the bulk of his uncle's £70,000 fortune. One could persuasively argue that Hancock's inheritance of his uncle's merchant business played a large role in shaping the future firebrand's revolutionary politics.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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