To all whom it may concern…Know all men by these presents That I Joseph Harper of the Town of Dover, Kent County, in the State of Delaware, have and by these presents, do Manumit set free and at perfect Liberty a certain Negro woman named Cloe now aged twenty years; and a certain Negro Boy named James, now aged sixteen Years, when they respectively arive to the age of Twenty eight years and I do hereby in behalf of my self my Heirs executors, administrators, and assigns, do manumit and set the said Negro woman Cloe, and the said Negro boy James at full and perfect Liberty when they respectively arrive to the ages aforesaid. Witness my hand and Seal this first day of January in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and Ninety nine…1799. Joseph Harper {seal}

Witnesses Present James Buckmaster, William Killen Ju.

State of Delaware Kent County } Be it remembered that on the third day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine Personally appeared Joseph Harper party to the above instrument of writing before me Richard Bassett Esquire Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, in the State of Delaware, and acknowledged the same as his act and deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned Witness my Hand the day and year aforesaid. Richard Bassett C. Just.

A True Copy Attest Simon W. Wilson recorder.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 71, Book F, Vol 2, Page 41. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00070?pId=2437941

Transcribed 15 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky