3. JOHN HANCOCK (1737-1793) American Revolutionary politician and first signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress and two-time Governor of Massachusetts. War date partly-printed D.S. boldly signed "John Hancock" as President of the Continental Congress, 1p. oblong legal folio, New Bern, January 22, 1777, a scarce military appointment issued by "The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia" unto William Stead commissioning him an "Ensign of a Company in the Fourth North Carolina Battalion in the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every of the Invasion thereof...". Countersigned by CHARLES THOMPSON as Secretary of Congress. Fold separations with minor loss only slightly affecting text and Hancock's signature, document backed with paper for stability, some light soiling, otherwise very good. $2,500-3,500