Manumission Negro Thomas & others from John Cooper

Kent County and State of Delaware. To all persons to whome these presents may come before that I John Cooper of the county afsd. In the state of Delaware for diverse good causes and considerations I do emancipate and set free and by these presents, and discharge the following negro slaves in manner following that is to say. Negro Tom to be free the first day of January 1810. Velett to be free the first day of January 1810. Lydia to be free the first day of January 1810. Poll to be free the first day of January 1810. Charity to be free the first day of January 1810. Leven to be free the first day of January 1817. Prude to be free the first day of January 1817. Henry to be free the first day of January 1819. Phebe to be free the first day of January 1819. Charles to be free the first day of January 1821. Henry to be free the first Day of January 1823. Esther to be free the first day of January 1823. George to be free the First day of January 1824. Grace to be free the first day of January 1824. John to be  free the first day of January 1826. Edward to be free the first day of January 1826. Margaret to be free the first day of January 1827. Benjamon to be free the first day of January 1827. Ann to be free the first day of January 1829. Alexandrew to be free the first day of January 1831. Nancy to be free the first day of January 1831. Luzia to be free the first day of January 1834. Leichey to be free the first day of January 1835. William to be free the first day of January 1836. Washington to be free the first day of January 1836. All the children born before the freedom of the above mentioned negroes are to serve till they are twenty five years of age and it is my meaning and intention that the aforesaid negroes and there descendant as aforesaid at the time or times specified shall fully and compleatly be free and at liberty-act for themselves as other free people and I do hereby bind myself and my hears the freedom of the afsd. Negroes against all persons claiming or to claim from by or under me or any of them to Warrant and defend. Given under my hand and seal this 29th day Of Dec. 1809. John Cooper {seal}

State of Delaware Kent County Ss } I hereby certify that on the twenty ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine personally came John Cooper party to the within and foregoing instrument of writing Before me Benjamin Brady one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county and did in my presence and before me the said Justice subscribe his name to the same and acknowledge it to be his act and deed and delivered it for the use and purposes therein mentioned. Given under my hand and seal the day and year above written. Benj. Brady

A true copy recorded and compared with the original this 24 day of July Anno Domini 1810. Attest William P Russel Recr.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 790, Image 522, Book L, Vol 2, P 263

Transcribed 23 Apr 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky