John Hanson

Description

This three-quarter portrait, attributed to John Hesselius, features John Hanson (1721-1783) with hand in brown coat pocket. Hanson was born at "Mulberry Grove", the 1,000 acre tobacco plantation owned by his wealthy father in Port Tobacco Parish, Charles County, Maryland. He was educated and learned how to plant and manage the plantation. In 1750, he was appointed County Sheriff. Hanson later held the following political positions: Lower House, Charles County (1757-1763; 1765-1766; 1768-1769); Delegate, Continental Congress (1780-1782); Signer, Articles of Confederation (1781); President, Continental Congress (1781-1782). He married Jane Contee Hanson (1747-1781) around 1744 and they had eight children. After his resignation from the General Assembly in 1769, he sold the land in Charles County and moved his family near Frederick, Maryland. Hanson died at Oxon Hill Manor, in Prince George's County. At the time of his death, he owned over two hundred acres and eleven slaves.