Eastford Resident Delivers Replica Declaration of Independence to State Capitol
HARTFORD — State Rep. Pat Boyd (D-Pomfret) hosted Mark Sheldon Sr., of Eastford, president of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), on the floor of the historic House of Representatives for a special presentation honoring our nation’s founding on Tuesday, May 12.
Accompanied by Boyd, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Putnam), and State Rep. Kurt Vail (R-Stafford), Sheldon was welcomed to the House Floor to present a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence to the people of Connecticut. This historic replica is designated to hang prominently within the State Capitol in Hartford.
The presentation has personal significance for Sheldon, who is a direct descendant of Colonel Elisha Sheldon, a Connecticut native from Lyme who served with distinction under Gen. George Washington. Under Washington’s direction, Col. Sheldon led the Second Continental Light Dragoons, a cavalry regiment known as “Sheldon’s Horse” that served throughout the Revolutionary War.
This presentation is part of an ambitious statewide initiative led by the SAR to present a framed Declaration of Independence to all 169 Connecticut towns. The organization is encouraging municipalities to hold public readings of the document on July 8.
While the Declaration was signed in July 1776, it took several days for the news to travel through the colonies. July 8 marks the historic date when the people of the original 13 colonies finally received the word and held the first public celebrations of American independence.
The framed document will be installed in the State Capitol, joining other historic artifacts that celebrate Connecticut’s pivotal role as the “Constitution State.”
The Sons of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and educating the public on the colonial period and the American Revolution.
