Volunteer Discovers Rare US Declaration of Independence Copy in Chichester Archive

A volunteer at the West Sussex Record Office in Chichester has uncovered an extremely rare parchment copy of the United States Declaration of Independence. This document is now understood to be one of just 11 surviving contemporary manuscript copies of the foundational American text, making its discovery a notable addition to historical archives.

The declaration, dating from 1776, was originally found within a collection of historical papers belonging to the Dukes of Richmond at Goodwood House. Its significance was not fully recognised until recent analysis. Historians have confirmed its authenticity and its place among the limited number of similar documents in the world.

This particular copy is distinguished by its size and the manner in which the signatories' names are arranged, which differs from the more widely known Stone Engraving. The parchment’s condition and unique characteristics are expected to provide new avenues for research into the document's early dissemination and impact in the British Isles during a period of significant geopolitical upheaval.