Manumission negro Rachel Morris & four children from Maskline Clark

Know all men by these presents that I Maskline Clark senior of Little Creek hundred Kent County and State of Delaware farmer do think it wrong and oppressive to hold negrows in bondage for life do hereby manumit and set free the following negrows when they respectively arrive to the following ages hereafter mentioned, viz, first I do manumit liberate and set free my negro woman named Rachel Morris to be free and at liberty from the date of these presents also my negro girl daughter of said Rachel Morris named Rosannah Morris who was born May the tenth in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight to be free and at her liberty when she arives to the age of thirty one years; and also my negro girl named Jane Morris daughter of the said Rachel Morris who was born March the twenty ninth eighteen hundred and one to be free and at her liberty when she arives to the age of thirty one years. – and also my negro girl named Hannah Morris daughter of the said Rachel Morris who was born December the fifth eighteen hundred and four, to be free and at her liberty when she arrives to the age of thirty one years. – and also my negro Girl named Hester Ann Morris daughter of the said Rachel Morris who was born January the sixteenth eighteen hundred and ten to be free and at her liberty when she arives to the age of  thirty one years; and I do declare that the before mentioned regrows shall when they arive to their respective terms be free from me my heirs executors administrators or assigns and to enjoy all the rights priveleges and emmunites which a free negro or free mulatto may or can have or enjoy by the laws of the state of Delaware. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the thirtieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eleven 1811. Maskilne Clark {seal}

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us John Lowber, Maskline Clark, Junr.  

State of Delaware Kent County Ss }  Be it Remembered that Maskline Clark personally appeared before me John Lowber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County the thirtieth day of July one thousand eight hundred and eleven and acknowledged the above Manumission to be his act and deed for the use and purpose therein Mentioned Given under my hand and seal at Dover the day and year aforesaid John Lowber

A true copy recorded and compared with the original this 31st day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven 1811. Attest Maskline Clark Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 791, Image 91, Book M, Vol 2, Page 171

Transcribed 20 Apr 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky