Latest news with #Hancock
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
Founding Father John Hancock's home is on the real estate market in Boston. Take a look
Members of the public have the chance to buy the house of the man who first signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The 5,748-square-foot home of first Massachusetts Governor and Second Continental Congress President John Hancock is now on the market, according to Landvest real estate. The building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is "the last extant property associated with the founding father in Boston." The price of the building is available upon request. "The building consists of (three) stories, with many of the Later Georgian interior details still intact, and remains the only vernacular structure dating to the mid 1700s to survive in central Boston," according to the Landvest website. The building is currently in use as a law office. "A fixture on Boston's iconic Freedom Trail, the property is minutes from City Hall, Faneuil Hall, North Station, the Haymarket and Government Center T stops, and is a short walk across the Greenway to the North End, the Waterfront, and the Boston Harbor commuter ferry services," the list said. How can people go about buying the home? Unlike most real estate, the price for this home is only available on request. Interested parties need to go to where they can express interest in the home, and arrange a tour. The real estate agent representing the home is Dave Killen, who can be reached at (508) 451-0020. One report on the sale of the home states that Boston assessed the property at $1.6 million. What to know about John Hancock Aside from being the President of the Second Continental Congress, the first Massachusetts governor, and the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, "Hancock used his wealth and influence to aid the movement for American independence," according to the History Channel. He started his career as a Boston selectman in 1765, and then moved into the Massachusetts colonial legislature. This was right around the time that British Parliament started levying tax laws on the colonies that spurred the American Revolution, which Hancock found himself at the center of. "Hancock came into direct conflict with the British in 1768, when one of his merchant ships, the Liberty, was seized in Boston Harbor by British customs officials who claimed Hancock had illegally unloaded cargo without paying the required taxes," the History Channel stated. "Hancock was a popular figure in Boston, and the seizure of his ship led to angry protests by local residents. He's perhaps most famous for his bold signature on the Declaration of Independence. Legend says "Hancock boldly inscribed his name so the English king would not need glasses to read it," the History Channel said. Lesser known, he was a candidate against George Washington in the first U.S. presidential election. Considering Washington was the heavy favorite, Hancock only received four votes. Hancock died at age 56 on Oct. 8, 1793 and was buried at the Granary Burying Ground in Boston.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
John Hancock's former home can be yours — said to be the sole relic from the American Revolution still standing in downtown Boston
You can use your John Hancock to buy John Hancock's former house. A highly pedigreed property in the heart of central Boston is on sale for the first time in half a century, the Boston Globe reported. The pre-Revolutionary War building has a lot to brag about — it was built by that founding father, used to stash silver for the Continental Army and housed the country's oldest continually run shoe store. Moreover, the Ebenezer Hancock House is thought to be the sole surviving house from the Revolutionary period still standing in downtown Boston, the Globe reported. Advertisement It's certainly the only one you can buy. 8 The Ebenezer Hancock House. Courtesy of Flylisted | LandVest 8 John Hancock, who signed the Declaration of Independence and served as the first governor of Massachusetts. Getty Images Advertisement The brick edifice was built in colonial times around 1767 by John Hancock, the founding father known for his outsized signature on the Declaration of Independence. Hancock's lesser-known brother, Ebenezer Hancock, lived and worked in the home as a deputy paymaster for the Continental Army. The paymasters were responsible for funding American troops, and Ebenezer's home served as their wartime headquarters. Two million silver crowns loaned by the King of France in 1778 were stored in the house, according to the Boston Landmarks Commission, before they were distributed to soldiers. The 5,748-square-foot property is the only remaining Boston building associated with John Hancock. Hancock sold the property to a local merchant in 1785, according to city records, and his personal home was demolished in the 1800s. 8 A law firm has owned and preserved the building for half a century. Courtesy of Flylisted | LandVest Advertisement 8 The house contains some of the best preserved historic interiors in Boston. Courtesy of Flylisted | LandVest 8 A large hearth features an antique mantel and a beehive oven. Courtesy of Flylisted | LandVest LandVest listing agent Dave Killen told The Post that the 50-year stewardship of the property's current owners, the law firm of Swartz & Swartz, has prevented modernization or conversion. 'There's nothing like the Ebenezer Hancock House that I've seen in terms of the level of authentic carpentry that goes all the way back to its original construction,' said Killen. Advertisement The property spans three floors. Raised wood panel work and trim on the second floor remain original details from Hancock's construction. Other historic details include exposed beams, wide-plank floors and an oversize hearth with a beehive oven. Killen, who specializes in unique and historic commercial properties, called the property 'the best surviving example of later Georgian interior architecture in the city.' 8 Exposed wooden beams on an upper floor. Courtesy of Flylisted | LandVest 8 Exposed beams and wide-plank floors span the property. Courtesy of Flylisted | LandVest 8 A former tenant of the historic house pictured in 1973. Boston Globe via Getty Images Killen declined to disclose why Swartz & Swartz is selling the property or discuss prices, but the city of Boston most recently assessed the property at $1.65 million. The Ebenezer Hancock House is protected as a historic landmark, but its next owner doesn't need to turn it into a monument. Flexible mixed-use zoning means its buyer could feasibly live on the premises — with city approval, of course. Shops, boarding houses, taverns and private clubs have all occupied the Ebenezer Hancock House over time. 'We're engaged in a very deliberate search to find the right fit,' Killen said.
Sky News AU
14-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Twiggy Forrest and Anthony Albanese look forward to peaceful, long-term relationship with China
One of the country's biggest mining magnates has praised Anthony Albanese for bringing Australia 'into the realm' of a 'peaceful, long term relationship' with China after high-stakes talks in Shanghai. The Prime Minister held a roundtable on Monday with Australian iron ore giants and Chinese steelmaking titans as part of his six-day business-heavy state visit. Mr Albanese used it to spruik Australian ore, which employs some 60,000 people, as the obvious greener option to feed China's ravenous steel industry as it moves to clean up the sector. Fortescue chairman Twiggy Forrest, who was at the roundtable, lauded it as an opportunity to 'generate a serious jobs boom in both China for green steel and particularly for Australia in green iron'. 'We forecast hundreds of thousands of new jobs, plus multiplier effects across China,' Mr Forrest told reporters, standing alongside Mr Albanese and fellow mining chiefs from BHP, Hancock and Rio Tinto. Mr Forrest was eager to lean into Mr Albanese's mission to shift focus from the increasingly militaristic regional rivalry to more positive things, such as tariff-free trade and people-to-people links. 'Across Australia, we have people who want a peaceful, long term relationship with China,' Mr Forrest said. 'The Prime Minister has brought us into the realm of that peaceful, long term relationship, invaluable for the economies of both countries and invaluable for the growth and employment in both countries.' Nearly 145,000 Australians work in the metal ore mining industry, according to the latest official figures. In 2024, iron ore exports alone were worth north of $150bn. But it is a dirty business in a world scrambling for green options, and both Australia and China have been vying to become world leaders in decarbonisation. 'We supply half of the world's iron ore and we're responsible for more than half of China's iron ore imports,' Mr Albanese told the same press conference. 'We know that steel is the backbone of the modern economy. 'But we also know that we need to decarbonise these processes if we are going to successfully deal with the challenge of climate change, but also the opportunity that it represents.' He added he had been 'struck' by how both camps at the roundtable embraced the 'common interest … about changing the nature of furnaces, decarbonisation, the use of hydrogen, the use of research as well and collaboration between Australia and China' 'We want Australian iron ore to be part of the solution when it comes to lowering emissions, and we understand that China wants that too, and that was reiterated today,' Mr Albanese said. 'We want to see a sustainable steel sector in China and globally, and we want to build a future that keeps Australian jobs and our economy strong. 'Australia and China each have major stakes in the decarbonisation efforts. 'This is important not just for our two countries, but because of the impact of decarbonisation that it will have as part of addressing climate change.' The press conference served as a platform for reporters to grill the Prime Minister on other issues, including the Port of Darwin. One reporter said an 'influential state media influence' from China had posted an essay on Mr Albanese's trip, focusing on the implications of the Prime Minister's plan to place the Port of Darwin back under Australian ownership. The influencer warned that if Australia 'insists on tearing up the Port of Darwin contract, the Chinese side may take counter measures' such as 'restricting Australian market access in China or tightening imports of key resources.' 'We have a very clear position that we want the port to go into Australian ownership,' Mr Albanese said. 'We've been clear about it, orderly about it, and we will go through that process. 'I'm not sure who the blogger is … Governments cannot respond in policy terms to every time there is an article written, a tweet or a blog and change their position.' Landbridge Group is the Chinese-owned operator that hold a 99-year lease on the Port of Darwin, and it has frequently denied links to the Chinese military and the Chinese Communist Party. Originally published as PM opening door to 'peaceful' relationship with China
Sky News AU
13-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Anthony Albanese's major iron ore pitch to Chinese steelmakers
In a display of classic supply and demand salesmanship, Anthony Albanese will flaunt Australian iron ore at a roundtable with China's biggest steelmakers on Monday. The country's behemoth construction industry has slowed in recent years, fuelling fears a downturn in steel production could smash demand for Australian iron ore and threaten jobs as well as the national bottom-line. Both countries have also committed to cleaning up big polluting industries in line with their broader climate goals. With Australia the world's largest iron ore producer and China Australia's top customer, the Prime Minister will make the case for closer co-operation. 'I'm pleased to be here for an important discussion between Australian iron ore miners and Chinese steelmakers,' Mr Albanese will tell the roundtable, according to speech extracts seen by NewsWire. 'Australia and China's iron ore and steel sector partnership has contributed to both countries' economic development for decades. 'Australian miners are reliable and stable suppliers of iron ore, responsible for almost 60 per cent of China's iron ore imports. 'That iron ore goes into Chinese steel production which accounts for over 50 per cent of global supply.' BHP, Hancock, Rio Tinto and Fortescue will all be seated at the roundtable, with Twiggy Forrest among the executives showing up. Nearly 145,000 Australians work in the metal ore mining industry, according to the latest official figures. In 2024, iron ore exports alone were worth north of $150bn. But it is a dirty business in a world scrambling for greener options. 'Steelmaking value chains are also responsible for 7 to 9 per cent of global emissions,' Mr Albanese will say. 'Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement will require the decarbonising of steel value chains, presenting an opportunity for Australia and China to progress our long-term economic interests.' Mr Albanese will raise the 'challenges' of steel decarbonisation, but aim to reassure both the Australian mining chiefs and the Chinese steel bosses that Australia is willing to front up the cash investments and tweak policies. 'What we need are enabling policy environments, extensive investments in research to develop new technologies, and collaboration across academia, industry and government,' he will say. 'Australia and China each have major stakes in how the decarbonisation efforts develop. 'As both countries co-operate to advance decarbonisation, we also need to work together to address global excess steel capacity. 'It is in both countries' interests to ensure a sustainable and market-driven global steel sector.' Later on Monday, Mr Albanese will have a lunch with Australian and Chinese business leaders. Both roundtables are key parts of his six-day diplomatic and big business blitz in China. Against a backdrop of an increasingly militaristic regional rivalry with Beijing, Mr Albanese has been keen to reframe the bilateral relationship in friendlier terms, such as tariff-free trade. Originally published as PM pushes Australian ore in China as steelmakers stare down decarbonisation
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Will Smith reminisces about the ‘career defining' moment that changed his acting forever
'I Am Legend' actor, Will Smith opened up about the advice he received from director, Akiva Goldsman , gave him while on the set of the film, that changed the course of his career. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Will Smith recalled his time working with director, Goldsman on films such as 'Robot', 'Hancock', and 'I Am Legend'. Smith called Goldsman his "individual, greatest cinematic collaborator" before explaining a major the two had on the set of 'I Am Legend'. Smith said that Goldsman told him, "We know we have spectacular special effects, and we're going to have action sequences and Francis is going to do wonderful things with zombies and all of that. I need you to forget about it all." Smith then said that Goldsman asked him, "If we were making a stage play and we didn't have all of those things, how would you keep your performance interesting?" Smith went on to say that he still uses this piece of advice, especially for big-budget movies. 'When you're making these big sci-fi movies,sometimes we can get lost in the spectacle. Akiva refused to allow that to happen,' he said. 'I Am Legend', the most recent adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel of the same name, starred Smith as Doctor Robert Neville, a virologist who happens to be one of the only humans left in New York City after a viral outbreak that effectively led to a vampire uprising and the end of civilization as it once existed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo The film follows Neville as he tries to not only survive the vampiric clusters, but also to find a cure for the Krippin Virus, which was intended to be a "miracle cure for cancer. " Throughout 'I Am Legend', Neville meets other survivors and eventually decides to give up everything for a chance to saving the world at large. Even though there have been discussions of a sequel to 'I Am Legend' for almost 2 decades, the planned movie has continued to advance steadily despite its time in Development Hell. Smith revealed the initial idea for I Am Legend 2 and what part Michael B. Jordan would have played in the movie back in April. "What we were gonna do was the prequel, so we were gonna do the prequel. And [Akiva Goldsman] was like, 'But wait, what if we make a new version from the alternate ending, where your character is still alive and you know, Michael B. Jordan's character currently is the head of a new settlement?'" Smith explained. "He's not my son. So there's a settlement in Connecticut."
