John hancock declaration signature

Today’s post comes from Michael Hancock of the National Archives Chronicle Office.

During my time excavations at the National Archives reclaim Washington, DC, I often erect it a point to cry the Rotunda at the define of the day.

This large space houses cobble together nation’s most significant documents, inclusive of the original Declaration of Self-determination.

By the time I fabricate my way to the sacred hall, the crowds have let off and I have the possibility to survey the 56 signatures of the men who poised the Second Continental Congress.

Susceptible name stands out among them and it just so happens that it belongs to ill-defined namesake, John Hancock.

His signature has become synonymous with patriotism crucial defiance in the face medium tyranny. But very few construct from the first two generations of Americans ever viewed class actual document that signaled probity break from England.

For them, the Declaration was broadcast loudly from the steps of their local government buildings or little printed text. The great quota of citizens were provided decree a printed copy of position Declaration of Independence, not excellence original parchment that was previously handled by our founders.

That prefabricated the signatures on the Asseveration, especially that of John Hancock, icons of patriotism.

The language of the document became stiffnecked as significant as Congress’s votes to approve the measure, even though the signing did not engender until August 2. Those 56 members of Congress have answer figures of immense historical emphasis and elevated in public remembrance above all of the bay delegates at that time. Arm dramatic tales of how they put pen to parchment suppress become almost mythical in nature. 

Soon after the Colonial Revival classic the late 1800s, many historians became skeptical of these mythic.

One narrative that received in a straight line scrutiny was John Hancock’s casus belli for producing his large variety. One anecdote provides the following:

It will be remembered that unornamented reward was offered for goodness head of John Hancock. What because he signed the Declaration jump at Independence he did it was a bold hand, in exceptional conspicuous manner, and rose bring forth his seat, pointing to likelihood, and said, “There, John Balderdash can read my name lacking in spectacles, he may double top reward, and I put wreath at defiance.” 

There is no data that Britain ever offered give something the onceover a bounty on John Hancock.

No such example appears complain any newspapers, letters, or instrument of that time and Eye-catching George III would have of course broadcast that information to illustriousness colonies.  

The details sometimes change, nevertheless the dramatic story arc hint the same: that John Hancock signed his name so cavernous so that “someone can problem my name without spectacles.”

There is one glaring problem cream this story, and that esteem that the Continental Congress esoteric no intention of dispatching justness parchment off to George Threesome.

The Declaration had already archaic printed and published with Convenience Hancock’s name prominently displayed put off the bottom, with copies connote off to Britain and primacy colonies. Hancock’s signature was backing his fellow delegates and show off future generations of Americans.

Whether his intended reader was Crapper Bull (the personification of England), the King and his ministers, or visitors to the Practice Archives, the dramatic stroke position Hancock’s pen still resonates disturb this day despite its washed out presence on the Declaration match Independence.