One of the things that always amazed me about the founding fathers was that many were in a sense the aristocracy of the colonies.  Even if the British imposed a few taxes most of these men would have remained either wealthy or at least upper middle class by today's standards.  Instead they chose knowingly to put their own wealth, well being and comforts on the line to break away from England.

who was it that said ... "at what price freedom?" ?

frankly, here in Boston, you can't swing a dead cat (or look randomly skywards) without being reminded of John Hancock, the loveable once governor of this great commonwealth of ours

today everything with anything to do with money and finance in Boston bears his name (especially the skytickling JH Tower) which is a bit ironic given that he abhorred "big government" or corporations (like the ones that now bear his name)

TRIVIA: can you believe back in his time folks (like him) graduated from Harvard with a business degree at age 17!? shortly thereafter he was London-bound where he witnessed George III's  coronation (which made him shudder)


--
The dignity and character of John Hancock, celebrated by friend and enemy alike, did not suffer for his love of public attention. He was a populist in every sense, who held great confidence in the ability of the common man. He also displayed a pronounced contempt for unreasoned authority. A decree had been delivered form England in early 1776 offering a large reward for the capture of several leading figures. Hancock was one of them. On signing the Declaration he commented, "The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward."