Manumission Negro Darkey from Levi Hatfield

Know all men by these presents that I Levin Hatfield of Murderkill hundred in Kent county and State of Delaware beleaving it wrong and oppressive to hold negroes in abject slavery do hereby manumate and set free my negro woman Darkey which I sold to Joseph Jervis after the expiration of ten years from the thirteenth day of this instant if she has no children in that time but in case she shall have children then at the expiration of twelve years from the above date agreeable to an article between me and Joseph Jervis and also the children which she may have when they shall arrive to the age of twenty six years Witness my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Levin Hatfield {seal}

Testis Benj Brady Ephraim Milman

State of Delaware Kent County Ss.} I do hereby certify that on the twenty first day of September one thousand eight hundred and four personnel came Levin Hatfield before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county and did acknowledge the within Manumission and deliver the same as his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned Given under my hand the day and year above written. Benj Brady

A True copy, recorded, examined and compared with the Original this 15th day of September 1806. Attest William P. Russel Recorder.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 789, Image 544, Book I, Vol 2, Page 371

Transcribed 17 Jun 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky