History

Founded

Founded is a history podcast that takes a look at the stories you missed in history class about the founding of the United States of America. Instead of boring you with dates to memorize, we’re digging into the drama of the Founding Fathers because that tea was piping hot before AND after they dumped it into the harbor on that Boston night! There still might be a test though so listen up and learn something but most importantly, let’s have fun finding out who FOUNDED the United States of America.

Latest Episodes:

The First Step Towards Colonial Union Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

How much do you know about The Stamp Act Congress? When did they meet and why? When did the struggle for independence actually begin? How did colonial resistance change when the stamp men resigned after the riots? How did Samuel Adams change the way the Massachusetts Bay Colony government functioned?

On today’s episode of Founded we’re finding out what was happening in Boston just weeks before The Stamp Act was to go into effect. We’ll also be exploring the Stamp Act Congress, what they set out to do and parliament’s opinion of the meeting. Things got real messy in these final weeks. Not only was chief rabble rouser Samuel Adams in the House of Representatives, but it turns out there were a lot of mistakes made on the British side of stamps.

Key Players:

Samuel Adams: Elected member to the House of Representatives, loved rousing rabbles, antagonizing tories and writing articles in several newspapers

John Hancock: Political pancake that’s beginning to flip to the patriot side of the cause, doing things like joining non-importation agreements and getting his portrait painted

James Otis Jr: Prominent lawyer, elected representative in the house, delegate to the stamp act congress

Thomas Hutchinson: Chief Justice and Lt. Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony, had his house wrecked by a mob, somehow more reasonable than most

Francis Bernard: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony. Seemingly completely out of touch with public opinion, enjoyed shutting the government down and fleeing to Castle William

Find my 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

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

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Who Was Harbottle Dorr Jr? Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever heard of Harbottle Dorr? You probably haven’t and that’s okay. That’s why we have the Founded Find Out, where you get to find out about someone or something you never even had a chance to learn about before. Harbottle Dorr was a merchant, a Bostonian and a member of the Sons of Liberty who really enjoyed collecting newspapers. Somehow, his collection became a gift to history, find out how on this episode of Founded.

Sources

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

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

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The Rise Of Samuel Adams Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

How much do you know about the rights of colonists and the British constitution? How did Samuel Adams rise to the top and become the chief rabble rouser? Why did one of the richest men in the colonies, John Hancock, end up in politics? Do you know what disinterested means, in regard to colonial politics? Who was really in control of Boston during the Stamp Act Crisis?

On today’s episode of Founded we’re finding out what happened when the dreaded stamps landed on the shores of Boston and the news that came on the same boat. The tides are changing in the town of Boston and across the ocean in England. From Thomas Hutchinson’s and John Hancock’s mildly worded letters to Samuel Adam’s resolves; power is lost by some and found by others.

Key Players:

John Hancock: Rich merchant, wrote a lot of mildly worded letters about hating stamps, ran for a seat in the assembly

Samuel Adams: Harvard grad, excel at working, did excel in politics and propaganda, , representative of Boston in the assembly

James Otis Jr: Prominent Boston lawyer, member of the assembly where he had been the leader for years

Francis Bernard: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony (in title), thought he’d have an easy administration but did not

Thomas Hutchinson: Lt Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony, publicly supported the crown, privately disagreed, had his house destroyed by a mob

George Grenville: Leader in England, creator of the sugar and stamp act, goose

Sources

We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: foundedhistory@gmail.com

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stamp Act Shenanigans (That Went Too Far) Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

How much do you know about how morality during colonial times? Did you know that rioting could be seen as an effective and reasonable form of redress? Why was Thomas Hutchinson’s House destroyed when he wasn’t a stamp master? Who was behind the plundering and pillaging and why?

On today’s episode of Founded we’re finding out what happened in the town of Boston the day after Lt. Governor Thomas Hutchinson’s house was destroyed in a targeted attack. We’re also going to find out. why it was viewed differently than the effigy mob that went after the stamp collector. Morality and reputation were as important as money during those times and they viewed these things differently than we do in modern times.

Key Players:

Thomas Hutchinson: Lt Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony and Chief Justice in Boston, had his house destroyed by a mob

Francis Bernard: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony, despite the title he had no control

Andrew Oliver: Council member, Thomas Hutchinson’s brother-in-law, resigned from stamp man position after he was targeted by a mob

Colonel Isaac Barré: Member of Parliament who argued for colonial rights before the Stamp Act passed

Reverend Mayhew: Known for fiery and often political sermons delivered from the pulpit, accused of inciting a riot

Samuel Adams: hated stamps and authority, loved politics and protest

Ebenezer Mackintosh: Shoe maker, gang leader

John Hancock: Rich Merchant, selectmen, wrote a lot of mildly worded letters about hating stamps

Sources

We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: foundedhistory@gmail.com

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founded Finds History Daily: The Battle Of Princeton Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

On this special episode of Founded, we find a different voice exploring a different part of the American Revolution. Nearly 15 years after the Sugar Act was passed, George Washington has come a long way. After his first mistakes that we explored at Jumonville's Glen and the battle of Fort Necessity, he is finding more success in the fight for liberty right after crossing the Delaware.

History Daily gives you a bit of history daily, in a way that I really enjoy. Find more here

We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: foundedhistory@gmail.com

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thomas Hutchinson: Villain or Victim? Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

How much do you know about Thomas Hutchinson? Did you ever hear about Thomas in history class? Why did some colonists continue to side with the British even with their taxes and overreach? Do you know how the social system work in the 13 colonies before the revolution? How long have historians been writing history?

On today’s episode of Founded we’re finding out all about Thomas Hutchinson. He may have been a villain to some, but is that all he was? By exploring Hutchinson’s story we can gain a lot more perspective on the big picture. The patriots targeted him for his commitment to the crown, the various positions in government he held, and more- it’s time to hear his side of the story.

Key Players:

Thomas Hutchinson: Lt Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony and Chief Justice of Boston, loved being British, hated conflict

Belcher: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony Late 1730’s-Early 1740’s, known for Land Bank Debacle, mentor of Thomas Hutchinson

William Shirley: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony 1740’s- mid 1750’s, Friend of Thomas Hutchinson

Thomas Pownall: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony 1757-1760, lowkey corrupt, created problems for Thomas Hutchinson

Francis Bernard: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony 1760-1769, created more problems for Thomas Hutchinson

James Otis Jr: Lightening boy, prominent Boston lawyer, enemy of Thomas Hutchinson, patriot

Reverend Mayhew: Known for fiery and often political sermons delivered from the pulpit, patriot

Sources

We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: foundedhistory@gmail.com

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Riots That Sparked A Revolution Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

How much do you know about how news spread during colonial times? Did the Stamp Act riots make a difference for the colonists? Did the colonists just love chaos or were there other factors that led their decisions? How much do you know about John Locke and his influence on the founding fathers?

On today’s episode we’re exploring the widespread reaction and actions taken after the Stamp Act riot in Boston on August 14, 1765. From a funeral to liberty, to scaring some loyalists back to Britain, things are just heating up. With their petitions ignored and their right to self govern threatened, the colonists organized and had a big realization. With no stamp men there could be no Stamp Act.

Sources

We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: foundedhistory@gmail.com

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Happens After A Riot? Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

How much do you know about colonial resistance in the years leading up to the American Revolution? Do you know how they organized their resistance and protests? Do you know WHO was doing all the organizing? Have you ever heard of the Loyal 9 or Ebenezer Mackintosh? How did people like John Hancock, Samuel Adams and John Adams respond to the initial taxes imposed by the British that led to the rallying cry “no taxation without representation”?

On today’s episode of Founded we’re delving into the reactions Bostonians had to the Stamp Act riot that occurred on August 14, 1765, from the patriots and loyalists, to the newspapers. What were the patriots doing to further their cause? What would the loyalists and crown officials do to stop them? Why was that black cloud so destructive? We’re about to find out.

Key Players:

Patriots

John Hancock: Rich Merchant, not politically active at this time, wrote a lot of mildly worded letters about hating stamps

John Adams: Lawyer, new dad, enjoyed contributing to the newspaper

Samuel Adams: hated stamps, authority and working, loved going to clubs, writing, mischief

Ebenezer Mackintosh: Shoe maker, gang leader

Loyalists:

Andrew Oliver: Council member, Thomas Hutchinson’s brother-in-law, thought he was going to be a stamp man

Thomas Hutchinson: Lt. Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony, hated by much of the inhabitants of said colony, didn’t like stamps but no one knew

Francis Bernard: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony, frustrated with the rabble and mobs, had trouble maintaining authority

Sources

We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: foundedhistory@gmail.com

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rise Of Resistance: Riots And Resolutions Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

How much do you know about the first acts of resistance in the 13 American colonies that led to revolution 10 years later? What were the two act passed by British Parliament that stirred up resentment amongst the colonists? Who was behind for those acts and how did he make the situation worse? The colonists didn’t cry “No taxation without representation” because they didn’t want to pay taxes. The people in the colonies wanted to work with England but the crown wanted control over the colonies.

On today’s episode of Founded we’re finding out what happened when the stamp situation came to a head. The colonists wrote letters, petitioned and debated in their local provincial governments but to no avail. Patrick Henry wrote his resolves, other colonies wrote more, there’s some interesting math that happens. And Boston? Well, Boston started a riot.

Key Players:

Patriots

Patrick Henry: Newcomer and boat rocker in the Virginia House of Burgesses

James Otis Jr: Prominent Boston lawyer, member of the council; enjoyed writing papers,pamphlets, and articles in the newspaper

Samuel Adams: Didn’t excel at traditional work, did excel at politics and propaganda, patriot leader, considered a tree

Loyalists

George Grenville: British Prime Minister, mastermind behind the stamp act, really loved stamps

Thomas Hutchinson: Lt. Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony, really loved his colony, very unloved by his colony

Francis Bernard: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony, thought he’d had an easy administration, decidedly did not have an easy administration Andrew Oliver: Brother-in-law of Thomas Hutchinson, appointed to the lucrative position of stamp master

Sources

We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: foundedhistory@gmail.com

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The First Ever Call For Colonial Union: Who Answered? Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

How much do you know about the way news spread during colonial times? Do you know why “No Taxation Without Representation” was the catchphrase used by American colonists? When did the first continental congress convene, and why was it about stamps? Have you heard of Patrick Henry? Chances are if you’ve heard of Patrick Henry then you know his most famous quote, “Give me liberty or give me death!” But that isn’t where his story began, nor is it the first time he made an impactful speech that went colonial viral.

On this episode of Founded we’re digging into the Stamp Act and exploring the colonial response to the news of it passing in parliament. We’re going to find out about the government shutdowns across the colonies just because representatives dared to use their voice and how the media affected public perception of the current events of the time.

Key Players:

George (the goose) Grenville: Prime Minister of England, creator of the sugar and stamp act

Thomas Hutchinson: Lt Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony, publicly supported the government, privately disagreed

Francis Bernard: Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony

Samuel Adams: Chief rabble rouser of Boston, popular at town meetings, wrote all the articles and instructions

James Otis Jr: Prominent Boston lawyer, elected member of the Massachusetts council, Samuel Adams’s bestie

Patrick Henry: Young patriot, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, fiery orator

Sources

We want to hear from you! What did you find interesting? What do you want to find out next? Email us: foundedhistory@gmail.com

Founded is a part of the Airwave Media network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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