7 famous political figures you didn’t know were adopted

6. John Hancock

Founding Father John Hancock was just seven years old when his father, a Congregationalist minister, died. He was adopted and raised in wealth by his uncle, Thomas Hancock, a Boston merchant. John became a successful lawyer and was known as the richest man in New England.

He was born in January 1737, nearly 40 years before he became the third president of the Continental Congress and the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence. That historical moment not only started America on the path to freedom, it also gave us the nickname “John Hancock” for when we sign important personal documents.