Here’s what happened.
As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence, historians have announced an extraordinary discovery that is drawing attention on both sides of the Atlantic.
Researchers at the United Kingdom’s National Archives have uncovered a previously unknown printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, a rare Revolutionary War artifact believed to be one of only a handful still in existence. The remarkable find comes just ahead of America’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026 and offers historians a valuable new glimpse into the nation’s founding.
Rare Declaration of Independence Discovered in British Archives
The discovery was announced by the UK National Archives, which described the document as an astonishing addition to Revolutionary War history.
Volunteer researcher Michael Scurr made the find while helping organize materials for an upcoming exhibition featuring correspondence from Royal Navy admirals and captains during the American Revolution.
While reviewing more than 100 boxes of historic naval records, Scurr examined letters written by Captain Thomas Fitzherbert of HMS Raisonable. Among the documents was a letter dated January 10, 1777, describing the British capture of the American privateer ship Dalton.
That letter would ultimately lead researchers to one of the rarest surviving early printings of the Declaration of Independence.
Revolutionary War Ship Carried a Historic Document
According to archival records, the Dalton was captured on December 27, 1776, only months after the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
Before surrendering, the ship’s captain, Eleazer Johnson, reportedly attempted to prevent British forces from obtaining sensitive information by throwing most of the vessel’s logs, crew records, and official papers overboard.
However, three printed documents remained aboard: his privateering commission, congressional orders, and a printed copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Researchers later confirmed that the Declaration recovered from the ship was one of the extremely rare “Exeter Declarations.”
One of Only 11 Known Exeter Declarations
Experts identified the document as an early printing produced in Exeter, New Hampshire, by printer Robert Luist Fowle between July 16 and July 19, 1776.
These copies were printed for publication in the New Hampshire Gazette and the Exeter Morning Chronicle, helping spread news of America’s declaration throughout New England during the opening months of the Revolutionary War.
According to the National Archives, only 11 surviving Exeter Declarations are currently known.
Before this discovery, every confirmed copy had remained within the United States, making this the first known Exeter Declaration identified outside the country.
Why This Discovery Matters
Historians say discoveries like this are exceptionally rare.
Every surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence provides additional insight into how the nation’s founding document was printed, distributed, and preserved during the American Revolution.
Because so few Exeter Declarations still exist, the newly identified copy represents an important addition to the historical record and offers researchers another opportunity to study one of America’s most significant documents.
The timing is especially meaningful as the United States prepares to mark 250 years since declaring independence in 1776.
Remarkably Well Preserved After Nearly 250 Years
One of the most surprising aspects of the discovery is the document’s excellent condition.
Photographs released by the National Archives show bold, dark lettering that remains highly legible despite nearly two and a half centuries having passed since it was printed.
Experts believe its long-term storage away from sunlight helped preserve both the ink and paper, allowing the document to survive in unusually good condition compared to many other historic copies.
Scurr called the discovery one of the highlights of his volunteer work, saying that handling such an important piece of history during America’s 250th anniversary year was an unforgettable experience.
Britain Already Holds Another Rare Declaration
The UK National Archives also houses one of the famous Dunlap Broadsides—the first official printed editions of the Declaration of Independence produced immediately after Congress approved the document in July 1776.
Those early copies were distributed throughout the colonies, including one sent to General George Washington, who ordered the Declaration to be read to Continental Army troops.
Historians believe the Dunlap copy now held by the UK National Archives was captured from American colonists during the Revolutionary War.
Experts Carefully Preserved the Historic Find
Following the discovery, conservation specialists undertook a detailed preservation process to safely examine the fragile document.
Using carefully controlled humidity, conservators separated the Declaration from the volume in which it had been stored without causing damage to the paper.
Although the document remained in excellent overall condition, specialists repaired one long tear using fine Japanese conservation paper and traditional wheat starch paste, techniques commonly used in archival preservation.
Scientists then conducted microscopic analysis and advanced imaging to better understand the paper’s construction and manufacturing process.
Their examination found blue textile fibers commonly associated with handmade rag paper produced from recycled cloth, along with traces of plant material that may have included hemp used in eighteenth-century papermaking.
Specialized lighting also revealed the document’s original folds while confirming it had been produced on handmade paper.
Unlike some Dunlap Broadsides, however, researchers found no visible watermark identifying the paper’s manufacturer.
Experts believe the paper was likely of lower quality than the first official printings, reflecting the limited materials available in New England during the Revolutionary War and the urgent need to distribute the Declaration as widely as possible.
A Powerful Reminder of America’s Founding
The discovery arrives at a fitting moment as Americans prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Nearly 250 years after the nation’s founding, historians continue to uncover remarkable artifacts that deepen our understanding of the American Revolution and the birth of the United States.
With only a small number of Exeter Declarations known to survive, this newly identified copy stands among the most significant historical discoveries in recent years and offers a rare connection to one of the defining moments in American history.
