Know all men by these presence that Rebecca McKnitt administratrix and James Johnson administrator of John McKnitt late of Kent County in the State of Delaware decd. do  hereby Emancipate, liberate, set free, and discharge a Certain Negro Girl named Mattilda, aged about Eight years Immediately after the death or decease of the said Rebeca McKnitt and no sooner –  and they the said Rebecca McKnitt and James Johnson the freedom and liberty of the said Mattilda after the decease of the said Rebeca McKnitt against our selves and our Heirs and against the claim of all other persons Whosoever Claiming shall and will Warrant and forevr defend by these presence In Witness whereof the said Rebeca McKnitt one James Johnson have hereunto set their hands and seals the the thirty first day of March Eighteen hundred and thirteen – – 1813. Rebeca McKnitt her mark {seal}, James Johnson {seal}

Sealed and delivered in the presence of us Zachariah Pritchet. Benaiah Fleming

Kent County State of Delaware } on the thirty-first day of March Eighteen hundred and thirteen then personally appeared Rebeca McKnitt administratrix and James Johnson – Administrator of John McKnitt decd. before me William Saulsbury One of the Justices of the peace in and for said County and acknowledged the above or foregoing Manumission or Instrument of writing to be their voluntary act and Deed according to the true Intente and meaning Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year first Written. William Saulsbury

A True copy recorded and compared With the original this third day January Anno Domini Eighteen hundred and fourteen – – 1814. Test Archibald M Call Recr.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 791, Image 532, Book O, Vol 2, page 133.

Transcribed 20 Apr 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky