About this episode

The episode explores the challenges faced by John Hancock when customs targeted him for smuggling, highlighting his legal battle with John Adams as his attorney.

On today's episode of Founded we're finding out what happens when customs puts a target on the back of one of the most popular and richest merchants in all of New England, John Hancock. Spoiler alert: it doesn't go well for the crown. Long before John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence marginally bigger than the other signers, he was arrested for smuggling. Who represented Hancock in court? None other than Abigail Adam's husband John Adams. Click Here for Sources ⁠⁠Click Here for Merch⁠⁠ We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: ⁠foundedhistory@gmail.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Tori Phantom

Topics covered

• John Hancock
• American Revolution
• smuggling
• legal representation
• customs
• historical figures

Keywords

• John Hancock
• smuggling
• John Adams
• Abigail Adams
• American Revolution
• customs
• legal history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: crown

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