OUSE, QUINCY, MASS.]

It is interesting to know that while Miss Quincy was a guest in
Fairfield, Aaron Burr, the nephew of her host, came to the house, and
that his magnetic influence soon had an effect upon the beautiful young
lady. But watchful Aunt Lydia prevented the charmer from thwarting the
Hancock family plans, and on the 28th day of the following August there
was a great wedding at Fairfield. John Hancock, president of the
Continental Congress, and Miss Dorothy Quincy were joined in marriage in
style befitting the family situations.

The noted couple went at once to Philadelphia, where the patriot lived
at intervals during the remainder of the session. Mrs. Hancock seems to
have been much of the time in Boston, however, and occasionally, in the
course of the next few years, we catch delightful glimpses through her
husband's letters of his great affection for her, and for their little
one.

Under date of Philadelphia, March 10, 1777, we read: "I shall make out
as well as I can, but I assure you, my Dear Soul, I long to have you
here, & I know you will be as expeditious as you can in coming. When I
part from you again it must be a very extraordinary occasion. I have
sent everywhere to get a gold or silver rattle for the child with a
coral to send, but cannot get one. I will have one if possible on your
coming. I have sent a sash for her & two little papers of pins for you.
If you do not want them you can give them away.

"... May every blessing of an Indulgent Providence attend you. I most
sincerely wish you a good journey & hope I shall soon have the happiness
of seeing you with the utmost affection and Love. My dear Dolly, I am
yours forever,

"JOHN HANCOCK."

After two years and a half of enforced absence, the President of the
Continental Congress returned home to that beautiful house on Beacon
Street, which was unfortunately destroyed in 1863, to make room for a
more modern building. Here the united couple lived very happily with
their two children, Lydia and Washington.

Judging by descriptions that have come down to us, and by the World's
Fair reproduction of the Hancock House, their mansion must have been a
very sumptuous one. It was built of stone, after the manner favoured by
Bostonians who could afford it, with massive walls, and a balcony
projecting over the entrance door, upon which a large second-story
window opened. Braintree stone ornamented