A rare 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence has been discovered at Britain's National Archives. The document is one of just 11 known copies of the Exeter printing and is the first found outside the United States, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
A rare 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence was found by a volunteer at Britain's National Archives. This Exeter Declaration copy is one of only 11 known to exist and the first discovered outside the U.S.
- Rare 1776 Declaration copy found in UK archives
- Document seized from American privateer ship Dalton in 1776
- Only known copy taken by military action, with rich backstory
- Discovered during cataloging for Revolution's 250th anniversary
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 5 publishers report consistent facts across 4 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document Type | Broad Agreement | Rare 1776 Exeter printing of Declaration of Independence | |
| Discovery Location | Broad Agreement | Britain's National Archives in Kew, London | |
| Document Origin | Broad Agreement | Printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, July 16-19, 1776 | |
| Discovery Date | Broad Agreement | Found by volunteer Michael Scurr in May 2024 |
Document Type
Broad AgreementRare 1776 Exeter printing of Declaration of Independence
Discovery Location
Broad AgreementBritain's National Archives in Kew, London
Document Origin
Broad AgreementPrinted in Exeter, New Hampshire, July 16-19, 1776
Discovery Date
Broad AgreementFound by volunteer Michael Scurr in May 2024
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The discovery was made by Michael Scurr, a volunteer who has spent 11 years cataloging documents at the archives. While examining papers from an 18th-century Royal Navy captain in May, he uncovered the document attached to a report about the capture of the American privateer Dalton on Christmas Eve 1776.
The copy was printed between July 16 and 19, 1776, just days after the original signing. It is significant not only for its age but also because it provides insight into how the Declaration spread during the Revolutionary War. The document was seized from the Dalton by HMS Raisonable following a seven-hour pursuit off Portugal's coast.
The National Archives described this as an unusually rich find due to the detailed records kept about captured ships at the time. According to CBS News, Saul Nassé, Chief Executive of The National Archives and Keeper of Public Records, called it "a vanishingly rare surviving copy." The document underwent careful conservation before being unveiled ahead of America's 250th Independence Day celebrations.
The discovery has excited historians on both sides of the Atlantic. Matthew Skic from the Museum of the American Revolution told PBS that this artifact provides a tangible connection to 1776, calling it more than just a document but "an artifact." The find also highlights how much remains unknown about America's founding period.
How this summary was created
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