Know all men by these presents That I Nathaniel Russum of the Vilage of Milford in Kent County and State of Delaware, for Divers causes, and Considerations me hereunto moving do hereby Manumit enfranchaise and absolutely set free Negro Draper, who until the present day of the date hereof hath been my slave according to the laws of the Land, he the afsd. Negro Draper to be Free and at his own Liberty and fully discharged from me after he Performs a Servitude of Five whole years from the day of the date of these presents to whomsoever I the afsd. Nathaniel Russum may place or bind him the afsd. Negro Draper by Indenture or otherwise. And I the afsd. Nathaniel Russum do hereby declare, and acknowledge the afsd. Negro Draper to be free, and hereby discharged from me my Heirs, executors, Administrators, or assigns, and from the lawfull claim of all, and every other Person or Persons lawfully Claiming the afsd. Negro Draper after the afsd. Term of Five whole ____ from the date hereof. In Testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal this the first day of Jany. in the Year of our Lord God One Thousand eight Hundred. 1800. Nathl Russum {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in the Presence of us John Williams, John Ralston

Kent County & State Of Delaware } Before me John Ralston one of the justices of the Peace for said County on first day of January one Thousand eight hundred Personally appeared Nathl. Russum of the Village of Milford in the afsd. County Mercht and did acknowledge and declare the above Instrument of writing or manumission of Negro Draper to be his act and deed according to the true intent and meaning of the same. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Affixed my Seal at Milford the day and year above written.

A True Copy Attest Simon W. Wilson Recorder. John Ralston

Delaware, U.S., Land Record, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 143, Book F, Vol 2, Page 213. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00142?pId=2438284

Transcribed 13 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky