A rare early copy of the Declaration of Independence has been identified in the United Kingdom after a volunteer at Britain’s National Archives discovered it while cataloging 18th century naval records.
The document was found among papers related to the capture of an American ship during the Revolutionary War and is now believed to be the only known copy of its kind located outside the United States.
Accidental Discovery
Michael Scurr, a retired insurance executive, has volunteered at the UK National Archives for more than a decade, spending his Thursday mornings organizing historical records. In May, while reviewing correspondence belonging to a Royal Navy captain, he noticed a folded document attached to a report on the seizure of the American privateer Dalton in December 1776.
The enclosure was labeled simply as “another paper.” When Scurr unfolded it, he immediately recognized the heading.
“I thought, OK, this is definitely a Declaration of Independence,” he told The Associated Press.
What the Document Is
Experts at the National Archives later confirmed the document is an early printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, produced in Exeter, New Hampshire, between July 16 and July 19, 1776. These so-called Exeter printings were created shortly after the declaration was adopted to spread the news of independence throughout the colonies.
Only 11 copies of this version are known to exist. Until now, all had been located in the United States. Archivists say this is the first identified example found overseas.
How It Ended Up in Britain
The document was discovered among papers connected to the capture of the Dalton, an American privateer operating under orders from the Continental Congress. The ship was seized by the British warship HMS Raisonnable off the coast of Portugal on Christmas Eve 1776 after a seven-hour pursuit.
Amanda Bevan, who leads a National Archives project cataloging Royal Navy correspondence from the American Revolution, said the declaration was likely carried aboard to explain the cause of the fight to the crew.
Privateers like the Dalton were privately owned vessels authorized by Congress to disrupt British shipping and supplement the young nation’s limited navy.
Meaning Beyond the Paper
Bevan said finding the Declaration of Independence aboard a wartime ship offers insight into how the document may have been used.
She believes the Dalton’s captain would have read both his orders and the declaration aloud to the crew, reinforcing the political purpose behind their mission.
“It shows they were not just fighting over grievances,” Bevan said. “They were fighting for an idea.”
Life After Capture
After the Dalton was seized, its 120 crew members were imprisoned in Plymouth, England. One of them, 19-year-old Charles Hebert, documented harsh conditions, hunger, illness, and repeated punishment in journals he kept during more than two years of captivity.
Despite the conditions, many of the crew survived and were eventually released in a prisoner exchange.
Reaction in the United States
American historians have welcomed the discovery. Matthew Skic, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, called the document a powerful link to the past.
“It’s not just a document, it’s an artifact,” Skic said. “It connects us directly to someone who carried the news of independence across the ocean.”
Skic added that the find highlights how much remains unknown about the Revolutionary era, even nearly 250 years later.
Historical Significance
The National Archives unveiled the discovery ahead of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence. Archivists say it underscores the global reach of the American Revolution and the role of maritime warfare in spreading revolutionary ideas.
For researchers, the find also serves as a reminder that major historical discoveries can still emerge from overlooked files and routine archival work.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Document | Declaration of Independence |
| Printing | Exeter, New Hampshire |
| Date printed | July 16 to 19, 1776 |
| Ship | American privateer Dalton |
| Captured | December 24, 1776 |
| Location found | UK National Archives |
The document will now be preserved and studied as part of the National Archives’ collection, offering scholars on both sides of the Atlantic a new window into the early days of American independence.
FAQs
What was discovered at the UK National Archives?
A rare early copy of the Declaration of Independence.
How old is the document?
It was printed in July 1776.
Where was it found?
Among Royal Navy papers tied to a captured American ship.
Why is it significant?
It is the only known copy of its kind outside the U.S.
Who discovered it?
A volunteer archivist named Michael Scurr.
