The Hancock-Clarke House,
Lexington, Massachusetts.
The
Hancock-Clarke House is a historic Revolutionary
War site on Hancock Street in Lexington, Massachusetts.
It played a prominent role in the Battle of Lexington
and Concord as both John Hancock and Samuel Adams,
leaders of the colonials,
were staying in the house before the battle. The
House is currently operated as a museum by the Lexington
Historical Society, and open weekends starting April
16,and daily from May 30 - October 30. An admission
fee is charged.
In 1698, soon after arriving in Lexington, the Reverend
John Hancock built a small parsonage on this site.
This original section now forms the small rear ell,
1½ stories high with gambrel roof.
A living room-kitchen and tiny study are located
downstairs and two low-studded chambers upstairs.
In 1738 his son Thomas, a wealthy Boston merchant,
enlarged his parents' home, adding the 2½-story
front, or main, section of the house with large
central chimney, a short center hall, and two rooms
on each of the two floors. Succeeding Hancock as
minister in 1752, the Reverend Jonas Clarke, who
reared twelve children in the parsonage, was an
eloquent supporter of the colonial cause.
This house is the only surviving residence associated
with John Hancock, famous
American patriot, first signer of the Declaration
of Independence, and first Governor of Massachusetts.
This was his boyhood home as in 1744 when upon the
death of his father at Quincy, the 7-year-old boy
came to live at this house with his grandfather,
Rev. Hancock. In 1750 the lad joined his childless
uncle, Thomas Hancock, a wealthy Boston merchant
who adopted him.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, the younger John
Hancock and Samuel Adams were guests of Rev. Clarke.
Fearing that they might be captured by the British,
Dr. Joseph Warren of Boston dispatched William Dawes
and Paul Revere to Lexington with news of the advancing
British troops. Arriving separately, they stopped
to warn Hancock and Adams around midnight, then
set off for Concord.
This house contains furnishings and portraits owned
by the Hancock and Clarke families and an exhibit
area that includes relics of April 19, 1775.
