What was the first hint of something about Johnny Tremain's background?

The first hint of Johnny Tremain's background is revealed through his relationship with his master, Mr. Lapham, and his status as an apprentice silversmith in colonial Boston. Johnny is depicted as a talented but arrogant boy, and his interactions with the Lapham family suggest he comes from a working-class background. Additionally, his mother's absence and the mention of his father's unknown fate hint at a troubled family history, setting the stage for his character development throughout the story.