• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Must Reads

Parchment in Sussex archive is one of only two original copies – of the Declaration of Independence

The engrossed parchment manuscript is the best-preserved example of the historic document, after scientists at Harvard University confirmed it was the real deal.

Joe Mellor by Joe Mellor
2018-07-05 09:15
in Must Reads, Weird News
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

Academics have confirmed a dusty old parchment found in a Sussex archive is one of only two original copies – of the Declaration of Independence.

The engrossed parchment manuscript is the best-preserved example of the historic document, after scientists at Harvard University confirmed it was the real deal.

It was uncovered in an archive in Chichester, West Sussex, last year, and is one of two ceremonial parchment copies in the world.

The manuscript was tested and validated by Harvard researchers just ahead of the 242nd American Independence Day celebrations.

Now known as the Sussex Declaration, the exquisite piece of history is believed to be produced in the 1780s and researchers are still baffled as to how it arrived at the West Sussex Records Office.

The document is a contemporary manuscript copy of the historic declaration which announced the independence of thirteen American colonies during the American Revolutionary War, adopted in Philadelphia in 1776.

RelatedPosts

Hero plumber has helped more than TWO MILLION of UK’s most vulnerable people

Gay couple sent homophobic abuse after erecting pride flag outside shop – villagers have rallied around

Speedboat owner who ‘corralled’ pod of dolphins convicted in first prosecution under national clampdown

Meet the UK’s super dogs… including a mastiff and Staffordshire bull terrier cross which alerted its owner to cancer

It is rumoured to have been brought to England by signatory James Wilson, but it is not yet clear.

Louise Goldsmith, leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “This is such terrific news about the Sussex Declaration.

“We have all been waiting to hear what the experts have been able to discover for us and now we know.

“Our records office holds many fascinating treasures but this treasure of a document is very, very special indeed.

“We very much welcome this interest in the West Sussex archives and the work of the record office, which acts as the custodian for thousands of documents with a West Sussex link stretching back to 780.

“It is an exquisite piece of history which must have been painstakingly written not under modern light but by daylight and candlelight using a quill and ink.”

Scientists used a number of detailed tests to analyse the document including X-ray fluorescence and DNA testing, and revealed an erased date which read either ‘July 4, 178’ or ‘July 4, 179.’

There may have originally been a fourth digit in the year and analysis of the ink shows that the lettering and its final corrections were all written within a short space of time.

The American parchment is most likely to have been produced in New York or Philadelphia in the 1780s and researchers are still trying to find out how it arrived in the UK.

West Sussex County Archivist Wendy Walker said: “We are extremely excited to hear that Harvard’s research and the scientific analyses confirm the historical significance and importance of this archive.

“It is a fascinating document and it has been fantastic for us to work with colleagues at Harvard, the Library of Congress, the British Library and the University of York to find out more about the story that surrounds it.”

The Sussex Declaration is not going to be sold any time soon, but the council have no idea as to its value.

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

UK Weather forecast, Saturday 13 November 2021

Cummings offered London Dungeon job

5 LGBTQ+ friendly companies which are hiring now

Marine Le Pen ribbed for completely misunderstanding how language works in vow to ‘save French’

Outrage as Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson vanishes during University crisis

Oprah2020: And why fame and politics does not mix

Sugoi JPN is quietly revolutionising Latin-Japanese fusion food

UK Weather forecast, Saturday 2 October 2021

Police hunt woman snapped fleeing racist attack wearing white high heels

Wine of the Week: Apothic Inferno

JOBS

FIND MORE JOBS

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.