Albemarle County, Virginia, June 21, 1779

The following are notes from the transcriber about this unique document, known as the Albemarle Declaration of Independence. The entire transcription, including the names of the signers, may be found at RootsWeb.

This is a typescript of a handwritten, eighteenth-century transcription of the declaration. The handwritten transcription is in the “Commonplace Book” of George GILMER, which is in the possession of the Virginia Historical Society. The VHS library’s catalogue card with this item reads: “Mss5:5 Gilmer, George, 1743-1795. Commonplace book, G4213:1 1775-1820. [Card 8]” The card indicates that the declaration appears on pages 162-164. Thus, the names appended to the Gilmer copy of the declaration are not the actual signatures of the subscribers, but rather transcriptions of the signatures, apparently made by Mr. Gilmer; that is, all of the names are in the same handwriting. As noted below, George Gilmer is the first-listed signer of the declaration.

“We whos names are hereunto subscribed do swear that we renounce & refuse all Allegiance to George the third King of Great Britain, his heirs & successors & that I will be faithfull & bear True Allegiance to the commonwealth of Virginia as a free & independent state, & that I will not at any do or cause to be done [sic - should be “not at any time do…”?], any matter or thing that will be prejudicial or injurious to the freedom & independence thereof as declared by congress & also that [”we” appears to be interlineated here] I will discover & make known to some one justice of the peace for the said state all treasons or traitorous conspiracies which I know or hereafter shall know to be formed against this or any of the united states of America“

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