To all whom it may Concern, Know all men by these presents, That I John Clayton of Kent County in the State of Delaware, Esquire, have, and by these presents do manumit, Set free, and at perfect Liberty a certain Dark Mulato or Negro man named Parker, aged about Thirty four years, and do hereby in behalf of my self my Heirs executors administrator & Assigns manumit, and set the said Dark Mulato, or Negro Man Parker at Perfect Liberty to enjoy all the rights advantages, and previleges of other Free negroes and Mulatoes agreeably to the Laws of the said State In Testimony whereof I the said John Clayton do to these presents Set my Hand and Seal the Twenty fifth day of December in the Year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred, and Ninety seven. 1797. John Clayton {seal}

Sealed & Delivered in Presence of… Simon W. Wilson Joseph Hale.

State of Delaware Kent County }Ss. Be it Remembered that on the Eight day of April Anno Dom Seventeen Hundred, and ninety nine, Personally appeared John Clayton Esquire above named, Before me John Lowber Esquire one of the Justices, assigned to Keep the Pearce for Kent County aforesaid, and being a party to the above Manumission, did acknowledge the same, as his act and deed, and desired the same to be Recorded as such according to Law In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand, & Affixed my Seal the day and year aforesaid. John Lowber

A True Copy Attest Simon W. Wilson recorder.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 92, Book F, Vol 2, Page 162. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00091?pId=2438028

Transcribed 15 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky