Historic Declaration of Independence Copy Discovered in UK Archives
WHO:
AP News - Michael Scurr is a retired insurance executive.
AP News - Charles Hebert was just 19 years old when he was captured.
NY Post - Michael Scurr, a volunteer for Britain’s National Archives
ABC News - Amanda Bevan, head of the National Archives’ project to catalog correspondence of Royal Navy captains during the American Revolution
ABC News - Captain Thomas Fitzherbert, commander of the 64-gun HMS Raisonnable
ABC News - Charles Hebert, a 19-year-old captured crew member of the Dalton
ABC News - Matthew Skic, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia
WHAT:
Newsweek - Historian Emily Sneff stated, “Every copy of the Declaration that we have today is evidence of someone thinking ahead and preserving it.”
NBC News - The document was lost for 250 years before its discovery.
AP News - The document is the only known example of its kind outside the United States.
NBC News - The document is described as "vanishingly rare" and was lost for 250 years before its discovery.
ABC News - The document was captured from a ship under the direction of the Continental Congress, with orders signed by its president, John Hancock.
ABC News - Michael Scurr discovered the document while sifting through letters in May.
ABC News - The document was identified as a rare early copy of the Declaration of Independence, printed between July 16 to 19, 1776.
ABC News - The document is one of just 11 original copies of the Exeter printing of the Declaration known to exist.
ABC News - The National Archives unveiled the find ahead of the weekend's 250th anniversary of American independence.
ABC News - The document is the only identified copy of the Exeter printing of the Declaration outside the United States.
ABC News - The National Archives unveiled the find ahead of the weekend's 250th anniversary of American independence.
BBC - Dr. Graham Moore from The National Archives stated that the discovery is "one of the rarest forms of the Declaration we know about."
NY Post - A rare early copy of the Declaration of Independence was discovered.
ABC News - The document is one of just 11 original copies of the Exeter printing of the Declaration known to exist.
ABC News - The document was printed just days after the original was signed on July 4, 1776.
ABC News - The Dalton was an 18-gun privateer vessel that fought under the auspices of the Continental Congress.
ABC News - The Dalton's 120-man crew was imprisoned in Plymouth, England, under harsh conditions.
WHERE:
NY Post - The discovery was made at Britain’s National Archives.
ABC News - The Dalton was captured off the coast of Portugal.
ABC News - The document was printed in Exeter, New Hampshire.
WHEN:
ABC News - The Dalton was captured on Christmas Eve 1776.
ABC News - The document was printed between July 16 to 19, 1776.
ABC News - Michael Scurr has been volunteering at Britain’s National Archives for the last 11 years.
WHY:
ABC News - Amanda Bevan stated that the discovery highlights the role of privateers in disrupting British trade during the American Revolution.
ABC News - Amanda Bevan stated that the presence of the Declaration on the Dalton suggests it was used to inspire the crew, emphasizing that it represents a fight for an ideal rather than personal grievances.
ABC News - Amanda Bevan stated that the discovery highlights the role of privateers in disrupting British trade during the American Revolution.
ABC News - Amanda Bevan noted that the discovery highlights the role of privateers in disrupting British trade during the American Revolution, emphasizing that the document's presence suggests it was used to inspire the crew.
ABC News - The document was captured from a ship under the direction of the Continental Congress, with orders signed by its president, John Hancock.
ABC News - The discovery highlights the role of privateers in disrupting British trade during the American Revolution.
HOW:
AP News - Michael Scurr discovered the document while sifting through letters attached to a report on the capture of the Dalton.
ABC News - Michael Scurr discovered the document while sifting through letters attached to a report on the capture of the Dalton.
ABC News - Michael Scurr found the document while sifting through letters from an 18th-century Royal Navy captain.
ABC News - Michael Scurr discovered the document while cataloging letters from an 18th-century Royal Navy captain, specifically while sifting through a report on the capture of the Dalton.
ABC News - Michael Scurr found the document while sifting through letters from an 18th-century Royal Navy captain.
(UPDATED July 3, 2026 21:18 UTC)
Historian Emily Sneff recently emphasized the importance of the Declaration of Independence, stating that every existing copy serves as evidence of someone thinking ahead and preserving this vital document. This perspective highlights the significance of historical preservation in understanding our nation's past. As we continue to reflect on our history, the efforts to maintain such documents remind us of their lasting impact.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 17:28 UTC)
Michael Scurr, a retired insurance executive, made an exciting discovery while sifting through letters attached to a report on the capture of the Dalton, uncovering a document that had been lost for 250 years. This remarkable find is the only known example of its kind outside the United States and underscores the significant role of privateers in disrupting British trade during the American Revolution, as noted by Amanda Bevan. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that Charles Hebert was just 19 years old when he was captured, adding a personal touch to this historical narrative.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 15:38 UTC)
A rare document, lost for 250 years, has been discovered and is believed to have been captured from a ship under the direction of the Continental Congress, with orders signed by John Hancock. Amanda Bevan noted that the presence of the Declaration on the Dalton suggests it was used to inspire the crew, highlighting its representation of a fight for an ideal rather than personal grievances. The document was found by Michael Scurr while he was sifting through letters attached to a report on the capture of the Dalton.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 11:47 UTC)
A rare early copy of the Declaration of Independence, printed between July 16 and 19, 1776, has been discovered by Michael Scurr while going through letters from an 18th-century Royal Navy captain. This document is one of only 11 original copies of the Exeter printing known to exist, and the National Archives unveiled the find just ahead of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence. Amanda Bevan noted that this discovery emphasizes the significant role privateers played in disrupting British trade during the American Revolution.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 06:14 UTC)
A remarkable discovery has been made as the National Archives unveiled the only known copy of the Exeter printing of the Declaration outside the United States, just in time for the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence. Dr. Graham Moore from The National Archives described this find as "one of the rarest forms of the Declaration we know about," while Amanda Bevan highlighted its significance in showcasing the role of privateers in disrupting British trade during the American Revolution. The document was uncovered by Michael Scurr while he was cataloging letters from an 18th-century Royal Navy captain, specifically during his review of a report on the capture of the Dalton.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 04:19 UTC)
A rare early copy of the Declaration of Independence has been discovered at Britain’s National Archives, one of only 11 original copies from the Exeter printing known to exist. This significant document was printed just days after the original was signed on July 4, 1776, and was found by volunteer Michael Scurr while he was sifting through letters from an 18th-century Royal Navy captain. The discovery underscores the important role of privateers, like the captured Dalton, in disrupting British trade during the American Revolution.