Manumission Peter Body from Philip Body

Know all men by these presents that I Philip Body of Murderkill hundred in Kent County and State of Delaware think it wrong and oppressive to hold negroes in Abject Slavery have and by these presents do Manumate and set absolutly free my negro woman Rachel Body from the day of the date hereof and also my negro Boy, Peter Body when he shall arrive to the age of twenty one years and two months old he being Now Eighteen years eleven months and eight days old Provided nevertheless in case the said Peter shall run away or give me trouble in gitting him he shall serve two days for every one he shall be absent and shall pay all costs and charges of giting him home again and also for my trouble in the same to be paid by servitude and the freedom of the aforesaid negro from me my heirs executors and administrators and from all and every other person or persons Claiming or hereafter to Claim by through or under me my heirs executors or administrators or either of them their heirs executors administrators or assigns will warrant ad forever defend by these presents as witness my hand and seal the fourth day of august in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine 1809. Philip Bodely {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in presence of Benjm Brady, Daniel Mifflin

State of Delaware Kent County Ss.} I hereby certify that on the 4th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine personally came Philip Boddy before me Benjamin Brady on of the Justices of the peace in and for said County and did subscribe his name to the within and foregoing Manumission and acknowledge the same as 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 _ Benja. Brady

A true copy recorded and compared with the original this 8th day of January Anno Domini 1811. Attest William P. Russel recr.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 791, Image 7, Book M, Vol 2, P 89

Transcribed 20 Apr 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky