Know all men by these presents that I William Hughlett of Kent County and State of Delaware, for Divers goods Causes and Due Consideration do hereby manumitt Emancipate and Liberate and set free, a Certain Slave negro named Ned aged about twenty three years the proper Slave of the said William Hughlett – provided neverthless that I the said William Hughlett do hereby Reserve to myself my Heirs Executors administrators or Assigns the service and Labour of the said Negro Ned for and during the full Term of Eleven Years Six months and fifteen Days, from the date hereof, In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this first day of December one thousand eight Hundred 1800. W. Hughlett {seal}

Witness Nath. Smithers

Kent County State of Delaware } Be it Remembered that William Hughlett personally appeared before me Nathaniel Smithers one of the Justices of the Peace for said County and did acknowledge the within manumission to be his act and Deed for the uses intents and purposes Therein mentioned. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of December in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred. Nathl. Smithers

A True Copy Attest Abraham Ridgely Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 235, Book F, Vol 2, Page 305. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00234?pId=2438533

Transcribed 12 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky