Dorothy Quincy
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (10 May 1747 – 3 February 1830) was an American hostess, the daughter of Justice Edmund Quincy
of Braintree
and Boston. Her aunt, also named Dorothy Quincy, was the subject of Oliver Wendell Holmes
' poem Dorothy Q.
She was raised at the Quincy Homestead
in what is now Quincy, Massachusetts
. The house in which she lived has been designated a National Historic Landmark
, and is known as the Dorothy Quincy House.
In 1775, Quincy wed John Hancock
, who would become the first and third Governor of Massachusetts
and the first signer of the United States Declaration of Independence
. They were married at the Thaddeus Burr Mansion in Fairfield, Connecticut
. Hancock's nickname for his wife was "Dolly," as evidenced by correspondence between the couple. The couple had two children together, neither of whom lived to see their teenage years: Lydia Henchman Hancock, who died at about ten months, and John George Washington Hancock, who fell on the ice while skating at pond in Milton
and died shortly after, aged nine, in 1787. Hancock himself died in 1793.
In 1796, Quincy married Captain James Scott (1742–1809), who had been employed by Hancock as a captain in his trading ventures with England. They lived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
, and had no children together. When Captain Scott died, Dorothy moved back into the Hancock Mansion at 30 Beacon Street
in Boston for about 10 years. After that time she lived at 4 Federal Street
in Boston.
Dorothy was a well known hostess and a great deal was written about her. Many chroniclers of the time note that she was not only beautiful, but well spoken and intelligent. She witnessed the Battle of Lexington while staying with her future husband's aunt, Lydia Hancock, at the home of Rev. Jonas Clark. When Hancock told her after the battle that she could not go back to her father in Boston, she retorted, "Recollect Mr. Hancock, that I am not under your control yet. I shall go to my father tomorrow."
Edmund Quincy (1703-1788)
- Early life and career :Edmund Quincy was one of four children born to Edmund Quincy and Dorothy Flynt Quincy of Braintree and Boston. He graduated from Harvard College in 1722, and went into the commerce and shipbuilding business with his younger brother Josiah and brother-in-law Edward Jackson...
of Braintree
Braintree, Massachusetts
The Town of Braintree is a suburban city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Although officially known as a town, Braintree adopted a municipal charter, effective 2008, with a mayor-council form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law. The population was 35,744...
and Boston. Her aunt, also named Dorothy Quincy, was the subject of Oliver Wendell Holmes
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was an American physician, professor, lecturer, and author. Regarded by his peers as one of the best writers of the 19th century, he is considered a member of the Fireside Poets. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat...
' poem Dorothy Q.
She was raised at the Quincy Homestead
Quincy Homestead
The Dorothy Quincy Homestead is a US National Historic Landmark in Quincy, Massachusetts. It was originally established by Edmund Quincy in 1686 as an extensive property upon which were built multiple homes...
in what is now Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
. The house in which she lived has been designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, and is known as the Dorothy Quincy House.
In 1775, Quincy wed John Hancock
John Hancock
John Hancock was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...
, who would become the first and third Governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
and the first signer of the United States Declaration of Independence
United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
. They were married at the Thaddeus Burr Mansion in Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
. Hancock's nickname for his wife was "Dolly," as evidenced by correspondence between the couple. The couple had two children together, neither of whom lived to see their teenage years: Lydia Henchman Hancock, who died at about ten months, and John George Washington Hancock, who fell on the ice while skating at pond in Milton
Milton, Massachusetts
Milton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States and part of the Greater Boston area. The population was 27,003 at the 2010 census. Milton is the birthplace of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and architect Buckminster Fuller. Milton also has the highest percentage of...
and died shortly after, aged nine, in 1787. Hancock himself died in 1793.
In 1796, Quincy married Captain James Scott (1742–1809), who had been employed by Hancock as a captain in his trading ventures with England. They lived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. It is the largest city but only the fourth-largest community in the county, with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census...
, and had no children together. When Captain Scott died, Dorothy moved back into the Hancock Mansion at 30 Beacon Street
Beacon Street
Beacon Street is a major thoroughfare in Boston, Massachusetts and several of its western suburbs. Beacon Street in Boston, Brookline, Brighton, and Newton is not to be confused with the Beacon Street in nearby Somerville, or others elsewhere.-Description:...
in Boston for about 10 years. After that time she lived at 4 Federal Street
Federal Street (Boston)
Federal Street is a street in the Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to 1788, it was known as Long Lane. The street was re-named after state leaders met there in 1788 to determine Massachusetts' ratification of the United States Constitution...
in Boston.
Dorothy was a well known hostess and a great deal was written about her. Many chroniclers of the time note that she was not only beautiful, but well spoken and intelligent. She witnessed the Battle of Lexington while staying with her future husband's aunt, Lydia Hancock, at the home of Rev. Jonas Clark. When Hancock told her after the battle that she could not go back to her father in Boston, she retorted, "Recollect Mr. Hancock, that I am not under your control yet. I shall go to my father tomorrow."
Further reading
- Ellen C. D. Q Woodbury: "Dorothy Quincy, wife of John Hancock: With events of her time"; Neale Pub. Co (1905).