Rare 1776 Declaration of Independence copy found in UK national archives

A rare early printed copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence has been discovered at Britain’s National Archives after a volunteer archivist uncovered the document while cataloguing 18th-century Royal Navy correspondence.

The document, identified as one of only 11 known surviving copies of the so-called Exeter printing, was produced in Exeter, New Hampshire, between July 16 and 19, 1776—just days after the Declaration was adopted—to spread news that the 13 American colonies had declared independence from Britain. It is the only known copy of this printing found outside the United States, The Associated Press reports. 

The discovery was made in May by volunteer Michael Scurr, who has spent the past 11 years cataloguing historical records at the National Archives. While examining papers belonging to a Royal Navy captain, he unfolded a document attached to a report on the capture of the American privateer Dalton in December 1776.

“I thought, oh, right, OK, this is definitely a Declaration of Independence,” Scurr said. “How exciting is this?”

Researchers said the document is especially significant because it was found among papers seized from the Dalton, a privateer operating under the authority of the Continental Congress with orders signed by its president, John Hancock.

Amanda Bevan, who leads the National Archives’ project cataloguing Royal Navy captains’ correspondence from the American Revolutionary War, said the find highlights the role of American privateers in the conflict and offers insight into how the Declaration may have been used during wartime.

“They know why they’re fighting, but this puts it in a language which makes it greater than them,” Bevan said. “They’re not fighting because they’re aggrieved in particular. They’re fighting for an ideal. And I think that just to find the declaration in a theatre of war where people are committing themselves to fight for their country on the wide ocean is really something special.”

The 18-gun Dalton was captured by the British warship HMS Raisonnable after a seven-hour chase off the coast of Portugal on Christmas Eve in 1776. Its 120 crew members were imprisoned in Plymouth, England, where many endured harsh conditions before later being exchanged.

The discovery has also been welcomed by U.S. historians.

“It’s not just a document, it’s an artefact,” said Matthew Skic, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution in Phiadelphia. “It’s a tangible connection to the past, because holding that piece of paper in the archivist’s hand today is a way to transport us back to 1776. The baton being passed, in a way.”

Skic added that the find demonstrates there is still more to learn about the American Revolution.

“Even though 250 years has gone by, we still do not know everything about the American Revolution, and there are still finds left to be discovered.”

By Sabina Mammadli