Disclaimer: This is taken from the journal of Levi Hancock, a relative of John Hancock. He taught himself how to read and write, so his grammer is not always correct.
John Hancock is my great great great great great uncle. His brothers grandchild wrote this journal. Here is a page:
A short Sketch of the HANCOCK AND ADAMS FAMILIES
I now give
in pamphlet form
As it is my intent from this to bring then to a more perfect understanding, by a geneological-historical act of those two families of patriotic blood, of whom I am a true representative; and in and through them have descended the acts of nobility in character and deeds, that should not be forgotten my the coming generation of man.
I have of my own free will and by the aid of my friends endeavored to bring te light the almost hidden treasures of true patriotic sentiment that prompted my ancestors to action in religious views and freedom of thought and belief, to worship God according to the dictates of their own consoienences*, and all mankind having been by birth endowed thus, is why they fled from their native homes (England) and sought America, hoping to find an asylum to shelter them in these their and conscientious views. These two honorable families of whom I wish to represent in my unlearned condition, are those of John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress in 1776, and his ancestors and family prongenitors** from 1640 to the present date, and of their patriotic credits.
Samuel Adams, from the year 1296*** to the present date, with their true sentiment, deeds and integrity in their lives carried
TO BE CONTINUED
* could be consoleneces or condolences
** could be progenitors
*** I think it could be either 1696 or 1796