Description:

John Hancock
Boston, MA, May 17, 1768
John Hancock Penned and Signed Ship's Receipt, PSA/DNA Mint 9!
DS

A partly-printed document filled out, dated and signed in full by Hancock, namely a receipt recording a shipment of goods received in Boston, May 17, 1768. 1p. 8.6" x 4.5", with approximately 36 words in Hancock's hand. Conserved in a PSA/DNA slab measuring 13.5" x 9", and graded a fantastic MINT 9!

The document acknowledges receipt by Hancock of "twenty nine Cask of pease…203 bushels" which arrived on the Halifax, a schooner built in in 1765 as a mail packet between Boston and Halifax. The goods are to be delivered to "Benjamin Gerrish Esq. Merch there." Countersigned by William Reid, captain of the Halifax at lower right.

The young John Hancock was sent to live with his uncle, Thomas Hancock, following his father, John Hancock's, death in 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.

The young John Hancock started working at the House of Hancock in 1754, and became a full partner in his uncle's firm in January 1763. Upon Thomas Hancock's death in August 1764, John Hancock inherited the bulk of his uncle's £70,000 fortune, making him one of the wealthiest men in New England. 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.

The captain of the schooner was William Reid, who had fought in the Revolutionary War as a midshipman and mate. While ferrying mail between Halifax and Boston, he was recommended to command John Hancock's vessel Liberty. Ironically, just five weeks after this document, Liberty was seized by Customs officials in Boston at sunset on June 10, 1768. A riot broke out when the vessel was towed into the harbor to the shelter of the guns of his Majesty's ship Romney. Liberty was libeled for landing goods before entry, and condemned for loading without taking out a bond (colonialsociety.org). She would be auctioned and sold to the Commissioners of Customs as part of the agency's nascent - and failed - effort to run a coast guard.

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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  • Provenance: PSA/DNA MINT 9
    #85353403
  • Dimensions: 13" x 9.5"
  • Medium: DS

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June 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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