The First American Declaration of Independence? - by Scott Syfert (Paperback)

About the Book

This is a comprehensive history of one of the greatest mysteries in American history--did Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, declare independence from Great Britain more than a year before anyone else? According to local legend, on May 20, 1775, in a log court house in the remote backcountry two dozen local militia leaders met to discuss the deteriorating state of affairs in the American colonies. As they met, a horseman arrived bringing news of the battles of Lexington and Concord. Enraged, they unanimously declared Mecklenburg County "free and independent" from Great Britain. It was known as the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence" ("MecDec" for short). A local tavern owner named James Jack delivered the MecDec to the Continental Congress, who found it "premature.

Book Synopsis

This is a comprehensive history of one of the greatest mysteries in American history--did Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, declare independence from Great Britain more than a year before anyone else? According to local legend, on May 20, 1775, in a log court house in the remote backcountry two dozen local militia leaders met to discuss the deteriorating state of affairs in the American colonies. As they met, a horseman arrived bringing news of the battles of Lexington and Concord. Enraged, they unanimously declared Mecklenburg County "free and independent" from Great Britain. It was known as the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence" ("MecDec" for short). A local tavern owner named James Jack delivered the MecDec to the Continental Congress, who found it "premature."

All of this occurred more than a year before the national Declaration of Independence. But is the story true? The evidence is mixed. John Adams believed the MecDec represented "the genuine sense of America" while Thomas Jefferson believed the story was "spurious." This book sets out all of the evidence, pro and con.

Review Quotes

"Syfert delves deeply into the issue in this well researched and highly readable volume...engaging and informative"-Journal of the American Revolution; "This book is one of the finest pieces of historical detective work I've ever read. Scott Syfert is the Sherlock Holmes of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, able to deal with serious and substantial issues concerning Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary politics, states' pride, accusations of plagiarism, and government cover-ups. He writes in an engaging, scholarly and wholly convincing manner."-Andrew Roberts, author of Storm of War and Masters and Commanders; "Using honed skills of a lawyer and historian, Syfert presents a highly readable and believable accounting of the first formal declaration of independence from English rule in the American colonies and the controversies that it created."-Joe Epley, author of A Passel of Hate; "Leave it to Scott Syfert to rescue and then bring vividly to life a little-known (outside of Charlotte, NC) story of our Revolutionary past and the urgent need by our ancestors for freedom."-Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker.

About the Author

Scott Syfert is a corporate attorney and cofounder of the May 20th Society, dedicated to commemorating the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.