Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

John Hancock Bust, 8 Adams Street

This striking bust of John Hancock in a formal cloak is unique in Quincy and is appropriately placed on the grounds of the Adams Academy, the site of his birthplace. As striking as the bust is the bold replica of the bold and famous signature. Former Mayor Thomas S. Burgin was instrumental in bringing the Hancock bust to Quincy from the old John Hancock building in Boston. It is assumed that the "older building" referred to is the one that preceded Cram and Ferguson's Clarendon Street Building of 1947 at 175 Berkeley Street.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
(east side) "John Hancock"
"John Hancock, presented to the City of Quincy by the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. 1951"

(west side) "On this site was born John Hancock January 23, 1737/ Son of Reverend John Hancock, pastor of what is now the First Parish Church, Quincy / On His father's death, he was adopted by his uncle - Boston's wealthiest merchant - 1744 / Graduated Harvard College 1754 / Married Dorothy Quincy - 1755 / President Second Continental Congress - 1775 / First signer of the Declaration of Independence - 1776 / Saying: "I write so that George the Third may read without his spectacles." / First Governor of Massachusetts - 1780-1785, 1787-1793 / Signed Act incorporating Town of Quincy - 1792 / Died at Boston in the Hancock House, Built of Quincy Granite; October 8, 1793 / Buried with great ceremony in the Granary Burying Ground, Boston / "He wrote his name where all Nations should behold it. and where all Time should not efface it."

ENTIRE INSCRIPTION (if applicable)
SEE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE SECTION ABOVE

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Paul Robert Lyons. Quincy: A Pictorial History, 1983, p. 34.
Quincy Patriot Ledger, 100th Anniversary, January 7, 1937, p. D-5.
Quincy Sun, January 30, 1986, p. 14.
Susan and Michael Southwortb. The Boston Society of Architects' A.I.A. Guide to Boston.
Chester, Connecticut: The Globe Pequot Press, 1984, p. 222.

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