Sussex holds one of the most intriguing links to American history: an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, preserved at the West Sussex Records Office in Chichester. Gifted by the Duke of Richmond of Goodwood Estate, it offers a connection between the American Revolution and the quieter, rural heritage of southern England. As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration approaches in 2026, Sussex provides an unexpected lens through which to explore the ideas, personalities and politics that shaped the era.
Sussex’s unexpected American connection
Visitors rarely expect to encounter the story of American independence in West Sussex, yet the county offers more insight into the period than many realise. A genuine eighteenth‑century printing of the Declaration survives here, far from the cities where the Revolution unfolded. It sits alongside another surprising transatlantic link found further east in Lewes, where radical thinker Thomas Paine lived and worked before his journey to America.
The county’s landscapes, markets towns and cultural attractions create an inviting backdrop for exploring these hidden stories and discovering how Sussex shaped, and was shaped by, global events.
The West Sussex Records Office and its Revolutionary document
The West Sussex Records Office preserves centuries of local history, housing everything from estate archives to parish material. Among these collections lies a remarkable international item: a period printing of the Declaration of Independence. This is not a reproduction, but a contemporary document produced at the moment when the American colonies formally broke with Britain.
It is carefully stored to protect its fragile condition and is only occasionally shown to the public. It has been transported to London where it was shown to the President of the United States at Downing Street. Its presence in Chichester is still little known, even locally, yet it provides a fascinating insight into how news of the Declaration travelled through Britain during the eighteenth century.
For more information visit the Transatlantic Ties website.
How the Declaration came to Sussex: the Duke of Richmond
The document’s route into the county can be traced to the Duke of Richmond, an active political figure who became known for his outspoken views on government policy. Nicknamed the Radical Duke, he was one of the British voices sympathetic to American grievances, arguing in Parliament for fair representation and constitutional reform.
Goodwood Estate, the Duke’s family seat, remains an important landmark in Sussex. The Declaration copy was later passed down through the family before being gifted to the Records Office for preservation. It offers a personal and political connection between a major global event and one of Sussex’s most prominent historic families.
Lewes and Thomas Paine: a Sussex link to revolutionary ideas
Sussex’s American connections extend beyond Chichester. In Lewes, the story becomes even more vivid through the life of Thomas Paine, one of the most influential political writers of the eighteenth century. Paine lived in Lewes during the 1760s, working as an excise officer and becoming active in local debate through the Headstrong Club, a lively gathering known for its discussions on political reform. His experiences in the town helped shape his thinking about governance, rights and representation. When he later travelled to America, those ideas developed into works such as Common Sense, which played a crucial role in shaping public support for independence.
Visitors can still explore many of the settings linked to Paine’s life in Lewes. The town’s narrow streets, historic pubs and independent shops create an atmosphere that makes it easy to imagine the debates and conversations that helped to influence one of the period’s most important political voices.
Why these Sussex connections matter today
British links to the American Revolution are found in many archives and historic sites, but Sussex offers a particularly human perspective on the era. The presence of a Declaration printing in Chichester and the legacy of Thomas Paine in Lewes reveal how the ideas circulating in America were rooted in a wider, transatlantic exchange of arguments, individuals and political movements.
These stories also show how Sussex played a role in shaping global change. They provide visitors with a chance to explore the period in a way that feels grounded, personal and accessible, set within landscapes and towns that continue to offer remarkable character and charm.
Visitors interested in the connections between Britain and America will find plenty to explore in Sussex. Chichester offers walking routes, independent shops, galleries and a striking cathedral, while Goodwood Estate is known for its motorsport and aviation events. To the east, Lewes offers Georgian streets, a historic castle and the atmosphere of a place shaped by centuries of debate and independent thought.
Together, these locations help tell a story that stretches across the Atlantic but can be easily visited within a single county. For those intrigued by the origins of modern political ideas or the personalities behind them, Sussex provides an inviting starting point.
