Solomon Hancock

Solomon Hancock (August 14, 1793 - December 2, 1847) was an early Latter Day Saint and author of the "Freedom Song" which was sung on July 4, 1837 at a public gathering for church members. In 2010, Matt Bushman and Adam Holdaway put a melody to the words and Bushman performed it in Far West, Missouri, and Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, he was the third son and fourth child of Thomas and Amy Hancock. Hancock married Alta Adams on March 12, 1815 and lived near his father where he later purchased his father's farm from his brother Levi W. Hancock. In the fall of 1819, he moved to Euclid, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In 1831, Hancock was taught by Latter Day Saint missionary Parley P. Pratt and was baptised into the Church of Christ.
Hancock is named in the Doctrine and Covenants where he is sent forth to preach. Hancock is known to have associated with other early members of the church such as, Edmund Durfee. On January 9, 1831, Hancock baptized Zebedee Coltrin. Hancock died at the age of 54 years and was buried in Pottawattamie County, Iowa near Kanesville.
 
< Prev   Next >