Know all men by these presents that I Williamina Ridgely of Kent County in the State of Delaware, single woman, moved by good and sufficient causes and considerations, do hereby enfranchise, manumit, set free and at liberty, and forever discharge from my service, a negro woman named Rachel Mathews, the reputed wife of a negro man who passes by the name of Joshua Mathews and who now is or lately was the property of Joseph Kimmey of Kent County aforesaid, and who formerly belonged to my Brother Charles Ridgely deceased: the said Rachel Mathews now being between the ages of eighteen and thirty five years, to wit of about the age of thirty two years which she does not exceed, to the best of my knowledge – In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one. – Williamina Ridgely {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of us John Lowber. Henry M. Ridgely

Kent County Ss. } Be it remembered that on this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one personally appeared before me the Subscriber John Lowber, Esquire, one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace in and for Kent County aforesaid, the within named Williamina Ridgely, and acknowledged the within written manumission to be her act and deed and desired the same might be recorded as such – In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. John Lowber {seal}

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 337, Book G, Vol 2, Page 97. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00336?pId=2438795

Transcribed 11 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky