308Z Winter 2026 The First Declaration of Independence

The book by David Fleming Who’s Your Founding Father? chronicles the author’s “quest to uncover the first, true Declaration of Independence” to quote the subtitle. The instructor’s late husband’s family (related to President James K. Polk) had long told the tale that their forefathers and other good citizens of Mecklenburg, NC declared independence a year before the official Declaration. While not to diminish Thomas Jefferson as creator of the 1776 Declaration, there were other colonists who also put into words their desire to be free of the British crown. Timely research by award-winning author Fleming lets us decide—fact or just a good family story? 

Bonnie Becker was with the Office of Human Relations for Fairfax County Public Schools and also taught high school social studies and at the Washington English Center. She seriously pursues her interests in geography, history, and archaeology.