Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-08-05
Dorothv Ouincy's Wedding.

"SeptemDer, 40, on
the oSth nit. was married at the seat OF
Tbaddeus Burr. Esq, in Fairfield, by
the Rev. Andrew Eliot, John Hancock,
ESQ, Prest. of the Continental Con-
gress. to Miss Dorothy Q lincy, dauglr
ter of Edmund Quincy, Esq, OF Bos-
ton"
I must confess that this innocent
awakened my curiosity; 1t
seemed strange that such notable per-
sons should choose q quiet Connecticut
village for the celebration Of their
Madam Hancock belonged to one of
the best American families. Her father
was a Judge OF one of the Colonial
Courts and a member of the famous
circle of r evolutionary patriots that
numbered Hancock, Adams. Otis and
Warren among its members. Her
grandfather, also named Edmund
O 1incy, was Judge OF the Supreme
Court of Massachusetts,, besides being
the Colony's Agent to the Cour. OF st,
James.
Dorothy was the youngest OF nine
children. and in 1775 was living with
her father in pretty wooden dwelling
on Summer street, not far from the
stately Hancock mansion, which frOnted
on the Common. She was fully the
equal of Gov. Hancock in social posi-
ton, if not in wealth, and had the ad-
vantage of him in age, he being some
years her senior. She was the petted
belle OF Boston society ut this time.
The marriage was arranged. go the
gossips said, by Madam Hancock, aunt
of the Governor, and widow of Thomas
Hancock, the great Boston merchant,
from whom Gov. Hancock derived the
bulk of his fortune. Miss Dolly being
motherless, the madam chaperoned her
about, and conceiving deep affection
for the beautiful girl, busted herself in
promoting O union between her two
proteges with such good effect that IN
this winter of ITS, their engagement
was announced.
On the eve of the eventful 19th CT
April; 1875, Madam Hancock aud Miss
Dolly were visiting in Lexington. at
the house Of relative Of the former
q Rev. Mr.. Clark. This had been tb g
homo of Gov. Hancock that wiLter
during the sitting Of the Provisional
Congress at Concord, and as it hap
pened, both he and Samuel Adams were
present on this occasion.
At midnight Paul Revere startled
this company by riding up with mes.
sage from DR.. Warren advising them
to save themselves and alarm the coun-
try, as Gen. Gage had ordered force
to march that night to destroy the
stores at Concord. There was great
excitement in the little village; the
church-bell was rung, and the patriots
came pouring in from all sides. Ham
cock and Adamsremained on the green.
organizing and encouraging the militia
until daybreak, when, learning that
their capture was one OF the objects of
the expedition, they retired to Woburn,
and found shelter at the house of the
Rev. Mr.. Jones. Tke ladies RENAME
in Lexington and witnessed the fight,
Madam Hancock from the open door,
and Miss Dolly from the chamber win
dow, until they were called away to at
tend to the wounded who we're brought
in.
After the British had passed on to
Concord, q message from Mr.. Hancock
arrived telling them where he and Mr..
Adams were, and asking them to drive
over in the carriage and bring the fine
salmon they had ordered for dinner.
The ladies did so; the salmon was
cooked, aud the party was just sitting
down to it when man rushed in with
the news that the British we're coming,
and the persec1ted patriots were again
obliged to flee-this time to q friendly
swamp. where they remained until the
alarm was proven q false one.
Next day Miss Dolly informed Mr..
Hancock that she should return to her
father in Boston.
mo. Madam" he replied, "you
shall not return as long as there is q
British bayonet in Boaton."
Recollect, Mr.. Hancock" she re-
piled, am not under your control
vet. shall 60 to my father to-mor-
row."
Sac did not go, however; NADIA me
Hancock would not hear of it. and i.
was nearly three years before she saw
her native town again. Madame Han
cock, poor lady, never returned.
After the battle Hancock and Adams
found themselves prescribed men, and
as the neighborhood of Boston was un-
safe, they passed down through the
interior counties of Massachusetts and
Connecticut to Fairfield and the hospi.
table mansion of their mutual friend,
Thaddeus Burr.
Madam Hancock and Miss Dolly
accompanied them. Mr.. Barr WAS q
gentleman Of good family and ample
estate, and received his guests With the
utmost cordially. At bis hospitable
mansion the two refugees remained for
several weeks. and then went on to the
Second Continental Congress, which
met at Philadelphia, and Of which Mr..
Hancock was President. Miss Doro-
thy aud the madam remained at Fair
field all through this eventful sum-
mer.
In August Governor Hancock re-
turned from Congress, and Oh the 28th
they were married at Mr.. Burr's house,
by the Rev. Andrew Eliot. pastor of
the fairfield church. It could not have
been very merry gathering, I think,
for the groom was q prescribed man.
aud his house and property, as we'll AS
that of bis bride. were in the hands OF
the enemy. Quite q numb of guests
were present, however, political friends
OF the Governor, and young lady
companions OF Miss Dortoby's. whom
the war had driven into exile. After
the blessing had been pronounced, the
newly welded pair entered their car
risge. and were driven by slow stages
to Philadelphia. where Mr.. Hancock
resumed his duties as President Of the
Congress-.
Perhaps the reader is curious to
know how this bride of high degree
spent the hours Of her honeymoon
Chiefly. she tells us, in packing up
commissions to be sent to the officers
OF the volunteer army recently Gre .ted
by Congress.
After the evacuation of Boston, Mr..
Hancock became Governor. and he and
bis wife took up there residence at the
Hancock House.
During this period an amusing cpl
sode took place. of which we have the