History Bytes: John Handy

June 26, 2012

Miniature painting of John Handy, a major during the Revolution. On July 19, 1776 he read the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Colony House; 50 years later, he repeated the performance. 76.1.1, Collection of the NHS.

Independence Day celebrations are just around the corner and Newporters will gather together in front of the Colony House just as people did in July 1776 when they heard the Declaration of Independence read from the steps of the Colony House by John Handy. Exactly fifty years later, Major John Handy, age 70, again ascended the steps and “forcefully” read the Declaration under a custom built, decorated arch “on that identical spot.” Amid the cannon fire and church bells of that Jubilee day, no one knew that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had passed away at their respective homes in Virginia and Massachusetts.

Major John Handy (1756-1828) was an Anglican patriot and merchant, whose family moved from Somerset County, Maryland and owned an extensive farm south of the Old Stone Mill. It was later subdivided into lots and streets named after the Handy sons Levin, William, Thomas and John. The street named after son Levin was widened in 1970 and renamed Memorial Boulevard West.