Know all men by these presents that I Joshua Laws of the County of Kent and State of Delaware, for divers good Causes and considerations me hereunto moving, do hereby manumit infranchise and Absolutely set free a Certain negro man named Mess, who how lives with me, being at this time about thirty two years of age, and to be free and at his own Liberty, from and after The first day of March next, and not Sooner and he the afsd. Negro Mess is to serve my my heirs or assigns untill the afsd. time and at the end there of or at the first day of March next, to be finally free and for himself during his natural life, and further I the aforesaid Joshua Laws do hereby covenant and forever defend the liberty and freedom of the afsd. Negro Mess from and after the first day of March next From the Lawful claim of all and Every person or persons whatever claiming by from or under me my heirs Executors administrators or any or Either of them. In Testimony whereof I do hereunto sett my hands and affix my Seal this the 28th day of December In the year of our Lord God, one thousand Eight hundred and [two.] Joshua Laws {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of us John Ralston, John Jester.

Kent County State of Delaware } Before me John Ralston one of the Justices of the peace for said County on the the 28th day of Decemr. Eighteen hundred and two personally appeared Joshua Laws of the County and State aforesaid in his proper person and did acknowledge and declare the above instrument of writing to be his voluntary act and deed according to the true intent and meaning of the same; In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed my Seal the day and year above written. John Ralston

A True copy Examined and compared with the original this 10th day of October anno Domini 1803 Attest John Caton Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 614, Book H, Vol 2, Page 104, Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00613?pId=2439735

Transcribed 25 Aug 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky