Elijah Smith from Thomas Clayton Manumission

Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Clayton of Dover in the State of Delaware for divers Good Causes and considerations me thereto moving have manumit free my negro man Elijah who calls himself Elijah Smith now about twenty four years of Age hereby for my self my executors and Administrators releasing unto him and forever quoting Claim to his Services In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed my seal this nineteenth day of August in the year Of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen. Thomas Clayton {seal}

Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of John Bellach. A.L. Hayes

State of Delaware Kent County SS.} Be it Remembered that on this twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight Hundred and fourteen Thomas Clayton party to the within Instrument of writing personally came before me James Sehce esquire one of the Justices of the peace of State of Delaware in and for Kent County and acknowledged the said Instrument of writing to be his Act and Deed and desired that the same might be recorded as such Given under my hand and seal at Dover in Kent County aforesaid the day an year aforesaid James Sehce {seal}

A True Copy recorded and compared with the original this Twenty ninth day of August Anno Domini 1814. Attest John W Boyer Recd

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 792, Image 168, Book P, Vol 2, page 55

Transcribed by Nancy Maliwesky