Know all men by these presents that I Andw. Barratt of Murderkill hundred in Kent County and State of Delaware being fully purswaided  that liberty is the natural birth right of all mankind and that keeping any in perpetual slavery is contrary to the injunction of Christ, for which reasons I do hereby manumit and set absolutely free all my negroes, to wit, so that hereforth they shall be deemed adjudged and taken as and for free people. that is to say Ceasar Known by the name of Denny’s Ceasar, Peter Clarke, Cann and Patiance from this day to be at their oan disposal and at liberty to act for themselves. and James when he shall arive to the age of twenty five years and Peter at the age of twenty five years and Lid & Sidnee at the age of twenty one years and Mint in five years throm this date then they and each of them as they so arive to be at their own disposel to act for themselves without the let hindrance or molestation of me or any person or persons claiming or to clame by from or under me forever. And further I do bind myself my heirs executors and Administrators and every of them in the penal sum of one hundred pounds In Specie to be recovered from such of us as may attempt to deprive them or eather of them under any pretence whatsoever of there liberty as aforesaid granted and in the like further sum of compel such of use so attempting to do or perform any other or further act or deed that they or either of them may reasonably require or need in order to further confirm the same in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this tenth day of Jany. in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six. 1796

Andw. Barratt {seal}

Witness present Eliza Barratt. Ann Barratt.

State of Delaware Kent County Sst. Be it Remembered that Andrew Barratt came into the Court of Common pleas held at Dover in & for Kent County on the eighteenth day of may in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & four and acknowledged the within written Instrument of writing to be his act and Deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned according to purport & effect thereof, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the public Seal of office the date aforesaid. J Hamm Prothy

A True copy Examined and compared with the original this 3rd. day of July Anno Domini 1804 Attest John Caton Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 789, Image 123, Book H, Vol 2, Page 264

Transcribed 7 Jul 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky