John Adams

Samuel Adams's cousin and a strong patriot. John Adams worked with his cousin to organize Boston patriots and wrote most of the Massachusetts Constitution. He helped negotiate the peace treaty ending the Revolutionary War and later served as the second president of the United States.

Francis Bernard

Royally-appointed governor of Massachusetts in the early days of Adams's protests. Sided with Thomas Hutchinson early in his term but was forced out of his post by Adams's men after the Stamp Act crisis.

John Hancock

Longtime friend of Adams's and a strong patriot. Adams and Hancock split over Adams's reluctant backing of George Washington as army commander. They later reunited to fight against the adoption of the Constitution.

Thomas Hutchinson

Adam's long-time opponent in Boston politics and one of the strongest Tories in the colony. Hutchinson served as chief justice of the supreme judicial court, as lieutenant governor of Massachusetts during the Stamp Act crisis, and finally, as the royal governor of Massachusetts.

James Otis

A close friend and legislative ally of Adams's. Otis was a strong patriot, but as the Stamp Act crisis passed, Otis fell out of favor with the patriots.

Thomas Pownall

Benevolent governor of Massachusetts. Pownall urged Britain to reconcile with the colonists.

Charles Townshend

Townshend was the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Prime Minister William Pitt and was best known for his controversial Townshend Acts, also known as the Revenue Acts of 1767.

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