Description:

John Hancock
Boston, MA, December 26, 1767
John Hancock Penned and Signed Whaling Ship Receipt, PSA/DNA Graded NN-MT 8
DS

A partly-printed receipt completed and signed by John Hancock, in which he records a shipment of potash and whale product from the "Brig Betsy" which is bound for London. Boston, December 26, 1767. With over 80 words in Hancock's hand and signed in full within the text. Countersigned by Matthew Wood, Captain of the "Betsy". Measures 9" x 4.5". PSA/DNA graded NM-MT 8 and conserved in a slab measuring 13" x 9.5". Please view images for condition.

The receipt acknowledges a shipment of "…one hundred & two Cask of White Oyl, Two hundred Cask Right Whale'ng [?] in all, Forty tons three barrells eight & a half gallons - twenty barrells Pottashes…".

The brig "Betsy" apparently was one of the vessels scuttled by Cornwallis during the Battle of Yorktown, October 1781. Her Captain, Matthew Wood, is mentioned several times in the Naval Records of the American Revolution, 1775-1788.

Potash is derived from "pot ash", referring to plant ashes or wood ash soaked in water in a pot. Ashes from hardwood trees could be used to produce lye, which could be boiled to make valuable potash or turned into soap. The higher quality American potash was exported to Britain by settlers desperately in need of cash as they expanded into the West. Hence, potash making and selling became a major industry in North America.

The young John Hancock was sent to live at his uncle Thomas Hancock's residence 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.

John Hancock (1737-1793) 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, 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.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Provenance: PSA/DNA NM-MT 8
    #85353401
  • Dimensions: 9" x 4.5"
  • Medium: DS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000