Know all men by these presents that we James Wakeman and Ruth my wife of the village of willow grove in the County of Kent and State of Delaware, for divers good causes and considerations us thereunto moving do hereby declare free manumit and enfranchise the Negroes following to wit, Prudence and her infant child called Maria – to be free from and immeditely after the date hereof herby acknowledging the said Negro woman Prudence and her infant child called Maria, and each of them discharged from all claim of service and right of property whatever from us the said James Wakeman and Ruth my said wife, and from each of our heirs Executors or administrator from and immediately after the date of these presents. In witness whereof I the said James Wakeman and Ruth my wife have hereto set our hands and affixed our Seals this twenty first day of may in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred. 1800. James Wakeman {seal} Ruth Wakeman {seal}

Signed, sealed & delivered In the presence of us Abraham Ridgely, Richard Hayes

State of Delaware, Kent County Sst. On the twenty first day of may in the year of our Lord 1800 personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace for the County afsd. James Wakeman & Ruth Wakeman parties to the above instrument of writing, who acknowledged the said instrument to be their act and Deed, and the signature & seal thereto annexed to be respectively theirs. Abraham Ridgely

A True Copy Attest Simon W. Wilson Recorder.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 181, Book F, Vol 2, Page 250. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00180?pId=2438406

Transcribed 13 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky