Know all men by these presents that I George Blackston of Kent County and State of Delaware do think it wrong and oppressive to hold Negroes in Abject Slavery and contrary to the to the Law of God and divine Revelation do hereby manumit and set free to all intents and purposes from the date hero Jacob Blackston, Catharine Blackston, Rebecca Blackston Michael Blackston and also my Negro man Benjamin Blackston when he shall ser[ve] Nimrod Maxwell to whom I have hired him to three years Nine months and fifteen days and also Jack Blackston at the expiration of nine years from the twenty Eighth day of April last he being then twelve years old and further I do hereby against me my heirs Executors and administrators and against all and every other person or persons whatsoever Claiming or hereafter to claim by through or under me my heirs executors and administrators or either of them their heirs executors or administrators warrant and by these presents forever the freedom of all and singular the aforesaid described Negroes defend In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the fifteenth day of June in the year of Our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and two. George Blackiston {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of George Richie. Benj Brady

State of Delaware Kent County Sst. } I do hereby Certify that on the fifteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and two George Blackston party to the within Manumission did before me Benjamin Brady one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County acknowledge the within Manumission and did sign seal and deliver the Same as his act and deed witness my hand and seal the day and year above written. Benj. Brady

A true Copy Examined and Compared with the original the 2nd day of August anon Domini 1802 Attest John Caton Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 430, Book G, Vol 2, Page 189. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00440?pId=2439215

Transcribed 9 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky