While reviewing old municipal documents, staff at the Wells Town Clerk’s Office made a remarkable discovery: a handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence entered into the town’s official record book in July 1776. The entry, made by the town’s first clerk, Nathaniel Wells, fulfills a directive from the Massachusetts Council that each town clerk record the newly adopted declaration as a permanent memorial.
Historical context
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, and printed copies—known as the Dunlap Broadside—were distributed throughout the colonies. The Massachusetts Council ordered that each town read the document aloud and then have the clerk transcribe it into the town’s record book, ensuring the proclamation would be preserved for future generations.
Wells, one of Maine’s oldest towns located about 33 miles north of Portland, followed that instruction. The newly discovered entry not only contains the full text of the declaration but also includes the original instructions from the council, providing a direct link to the moment the colonies declared their independence.
Local reactions
Town officials expressed pride in the find. “The Wells Town Record Book contains both the Declaration and those original instructions, which is an incredible connection to one of the most significant moments in American history,” the town wrote in a Thursday release. Town Clerk Michele Stivaletta‑Noble called the document “beautiful” and said it captures the excitement of the era. Public Information Officer Rebekah Kelley noted that, “Back in the day, you didn’t have the spread of information as easily as you do now. By recording something like this and by transcribing it, you memorialize it in history for generations to come.”
State‑wide significance
The Maine State Archives already safeguards two copies of the Dunlap Broadside printed by Ezekiel Russell of Salem, Massachusetts. Those broadsides were sent to ministers of every denomination in the state and read aloud in churches and public meetinghouses. Only 21 of the original hundreds printed in July 1776 are known to survive today. The newly uncovered handwritten version adds to the limited number of surviving contemporaneous records of the declaration.
Historians note that such town‑record entries are rare because many early municipal books were lost to fire, neglect, or the passage of time. The preservation of Wells’ record book for 250 years underscores the community’s commitment to safeguarding its heritage.
What’s next?
The handwritten declaration will join a statewide tour of historic documents, allowing residents and visitors to view the original text up close. The town plans to display the page in the clerk’s archives and coordinate with the Maine State Archives for possible exhibitions.
For educators, the discovery offers a tangible teaching tool about the Revolutionary era, the role of local governments in the founding of the nation, and the importance of preserving primary sources. Community leaders hope the find will inspire renewed interest in local history and encourage other towns to examine their own archives for hidden treasures.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
