Mar 7, 2024 – The RI Secretary of State participate din Portsmouth’s celebration of Founders’ Day with Showing of the Original 1638 Compact and 1776 Southwick Copy of Declaration of Independence
The Portsmouth Historical Society hosted a celebration of the Town’s 1638 founding with a ceremony at the Town Hall on March 7. The original founding document, the Portsmouth Compact of 1638, one of the oldest and most important documents in the State Archives, was transported with a police escort to the Portsmouth Town Hall (2200 East Main Rd.) where the public can view the document from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
There was a short ceremony where RI Secretary of State, Gregg M. Amore spoke and Town Historian, Jim Garman, gave brief remarks.
Also on display was the Town of Portsmouth’s 1776 copy of the Declaration of Independence, printed for the Rhode Island Assembly by Newport printer Solomon Southwick on July 13, 1776. They were distributed to each city and town clerk in Rhode Island to be read to the public or posted for the public to view.
