"Lady Hancock": A Story of the American Revolution (1900)

"A pleasing narrative of the trials and triumphs of the Young Republic, woven around the engaging personality of Dorothy Hancock ... accurate and interesting."— The Critic, 1901

"Miss Springer has won a considerable literary reputation by her historical novel “ Lady Hancock." —Leslie's Illustrated Weekly Newspaper, 1904

In 1900 Mary Elizabeth Springer (1850-1937) published her historical novel "Lady Hancock": A Story of the American Revolution. Miss Springer was the secretary of the New York chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and accomplished author of historical novels concerning women of the American Revolution.

The heroine of this novel, Dorothy Quincy Hancock (1747 – 1830) was an American hostess, daughter of Edmund Quincy of Braintree and Boston, and the wife of Founding Father John Hancock. According to Leslie's Illustrated Weekly the author was related to Lady Hancock: "Miss Springer is of true Revolutionary ancestry, one of her progenitors being Dorothy Quincy, the heroine of 'Lady Hancock.'”

The novel "Lady Hancock" was well-received at the time of its publication:

“Miss Springer is a Daughter of the American Revolution and would naturally treat her Colonial subject con amore, being a descendant of John Alden."—New York Tribune.

“With a strict adherence to the main incidents of the Revolution, the author has introduced many romantic situations."— New York Times.

“Patriotism and duty are presented in strong colors and the trials and tribulations of the men who created the republic." —Baltimore Herald.

Dorothy was a well-known hostess, and a great deal was written about her. Many chroniclers of the time note that she was beautiful, well spoken and intelligent. She witnessed the Battle of Lexington while staying with her future husband's aunt, Lydia Hancock, at the home of Rev. Jonas Clark. When Hancock told her after the battle that she could not go back to her father in Boston, she retorted, "Recollect Mr. Hancock, that I am not under your control yet. I shall go to my father tomorrow."

In 1796, after Hancock's death in 1793, Quincy married Captain James Scott (1742–1809), who had been employed by Hancock as a captain in his trading ventures with England.

About the author: Miss Springer's paternal as well as her maternal ancestors were among the early settlers of New England, and in her veins flows the blood of the Aldens, Quincys and Jacksons—illustrious names in the history of their country. Her father, Joseph Torslir Springer, was a descendant of a Swedish nobleman, who came over in 1645 and settled in Delaware, where a Swedish colony existed at that time, and several of Miss Springer's paternal ancestors shed their blood in the cause of liberty during the war of the American Revolution.

Spinger's other well received historical novels of the American Revolution include:

1. Elizabeth Schuyler: A Story of Old New York
2. Dolly Madison: A Story of the War of 1812

Contents
I. THE MIDNIGHT WARNING.
II. A LOVER'S QUARREL.
III. DOROTHY IS CAPTURED BY AN INDIAN.
IV. DOROTHY AND MAJOR CRANE.
V. Dorothy's Wedding.
VI. EVACUATION OF BOSTON.
VII. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
VIII. FIRST ANNIVERSARY.
IX. DOROTHY IN PHILADELPHIA.
X. THE MARQUIS OF LAFAYETTE.
XI. VALLEY FORGE.
XII. Lafayette's Services.
XIII. BATTLE OF MONMOUTH.
XIV. DELIVERY OF THE TWIG.
XV. EXPEDITION TO RHODE ISLAND.
XVI. MASSACRES.
XVII. HANNAH MOODY.
XVIII. Count D'estaing.
XIX. CAPTAIN SCOTT.
XX. A NAVAL ENCOUNTER.
XXI. DOROTHY AND GREY.
XXII. DARK DAY IN BOSTON.
XXIII. THE QUINCYS.
XXIV. Hancock's Forebodings.
XXV. WASHINGTON.
XXVI. SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS.
XXVII. Lafayette's Return To France.
XXVIII. Heritable's Wedding.
XXIX. Governor Hancock's Death.
XXX. THE LONG LOST WILL.
XXXI. THE YOUNG REPUBLIC.
XXXII. LAFAYETTE IN THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.
XXXIII. DEATH OF CAPTAIN SCOTT.
XXXIV. TRANCES.
XXXV. BOSTON.