Kathryn Cleven Sisson - John Hancock, New England boy

Chapter 1

Johnny Hancock knelt under the lilac bush. He peeked out at the black dragon coming toward him. Then he looked at his sister Marys wooden doll, lying in the dirt. Fear not, fair one, he said. Saint George will save you.

He lifted his long stick. A cold drop of rain from the lilac leaves ran down his cheek.

The black dragon snorted and came closer to the garden.

The lilac bush stood behind Parson John Hancocks square white house in Braintree, in the royal colony of Massachusetts. Hancocks had lived near Boston, for a hundred years. Now it was the summer of 1742.

The black dragon was old Dame Clarks black pig, Daisy. Daisy was always getting loose. Then she would dig up the neighbors gardens.

You wont dig up our garden, five-year-old Johnny shouted. He ran toward the black pig, shaking his stick.

Daisy squealed, Oink, oink, but she didnt run away. Instead, she ran right at Johnny. Before he could say scat! she dodged his stick and ran between his legs. (Image 1.1)

Image 1.1

Johnny felt himself being lifted up. Suddenly he was riding on Daisys slippery back. He started to slide off and he grabbed for her curly tail.

Then he bounced off and rolled into a puddle left from the rain. Daisy ran squealing around the house. Someone else would have to catch her. Suddenly Johnny heard someone laughing behind him.

Ho, ho! Ha, ha!

Then his friend John Adams came running up. John, who was past six, was short and sturdy. Johnny called him Jay.

That looked so funny, Jay said with a grin. He put down the basket he carried.

Johnny scrambled to his feet. The back of his dress was wet. Johnny had to wear a dress until he went to school, like all small boys did.

Lets see, Jay Adams said. He pulled Johnny around. Youll be in trouble.

I will not, Johnny said. I have lots of clothes. His dark eyes flashed, but he and his friend both knew that a parsons son didnt have many clothes.

Johnny! Johnny Hancock! Mary Hancock stepped out of the kitchen door. There was a smear of corn meal on her cheek. She was only two years older than Johnny, but she often helped their Mother.

What have you done to your nice dress? Oh, Mother-r-r! she called.

Aw-w-w, I fell. The dragon knocked me over. Do you have to tell Mother?

Mary frowned and gave him a gentle shove toward the kitchen door. Then she remembered her manners. Will you come, too, Jay?

No, thank you, Mary, Jay said. I have to go to the mill and then back home. I stopped to tell Johnny I can go fishing with him tomorrow. Theres no school.

The Adams family lived on a farm at the foot of Penns Hill. It was about a mile down the Coast Road which wound along Boston Bay. From the top of Penns Hill one could see ten miles across Boston Bay to Boston Town itself.

Jay Adams picked up his basket of corn. He ran around the house to the road. Johnny followed his sister slowly into the kitchen. Mother glanced up from the fireplace. Her face looked warm under her frilled white cap. Mary turned Johnny around so that Mother could see his back. Hes all wet.

Mother stood up. She smoothed down the blue apron she wore over her blue and white striped skirt. Maybe I should let you wash your own clothes. Then you might learn to stay clean.

Yes, Mother.

Go to your room and find a fresh dress, she said. I am much too busy. A neighbor just brought me word from Boston Town. Your Uncle Thomas Hancock and Aunt Lydia are coming here to visit tomorrow.

Uncle Tom! Johnny clapped his hands. Now I can ride in the carriage!

Mother, Mary said, I think Johnny likes fine things too well. Doesnt Father say that is a sin?

Thats what the old Puritans believed. But people are earning more than in the old days.

Uncle Thomas has a fine house in Boston. He must have Mary began.

Mother frowned. Yes, your fathers brother is very rich. He is a merchant and a trader with England. He has worked very hard. It is too bad he has no children.

Baby Ebenezer started to cry. He was learning-to walk and had just taken a tumble in a corner of the kitchen.

Oh, dear, said Mother. Will you quiet him, Mary? Your father is working on his two Sunday sermons, and I must get my bread baked. If Id only known Thomas and Lydia were coming I might have sent to Boston for wheat flour.

Johnny ran out of the room. When he came back in dry clothes he asked Mother, When will they get here? I cant wait.

Ill tell you about it at supper, son. We shall eat as soon as Father finishes his sermons. Now run along and dont bother me.

Johnny gave a sigh. That will be a long time, he said. He went out to the barn to pet Fathers horse, Betsy.

Johnny was eating breakfast early the next morning when he heard Jay Adams whistle outside. The family ate often in the big kitchen, a room added on to the back of the house.

Johnny looked at Father.

Wait until we say the prayer, John. Father smiled kindly at him.