To all whom it may Concern.. Know all men by these presents, that I James Sykes of the Town of Dover, Kent County, and State of Delaware, have and by these presents, do manumit, set free and at perfect Liberty a certain Negro Man named Robert Roberts aged Twenty five years And I do hereby in behalf of my self my Heirs executors Administrators, and Assigns, Manumit and set the said Negro man Robert Roberts at perfect Liberty to enjoy all the rights, and previledges of other Free Negroes, and Mulattoes agreeably to the Laws and Customs of this State. Witness my Hand and Seal this thirty first day of January in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand and seven hundred and Ninety Nine. James Sykes {seal}

Witnesses present Joseph Harper. Peter Stout        

State of Delaware Kent County } Be it remembered that on the thirty first day of January in the Year of our Lord, One thousand, seven hundred, and ninety nine. Personally appeared James Sykes Esquire party to the above instrument of writing before me John Lowber Esquire one of the Justices assigned to Keep the Peace in and for the County of Kent in the State aforesaid and then and there Acknowledged the same as his act and deed for the uses, and purposes therein mentioned. Witness my Hand and 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 80, Book F, Vol 2, Page 149. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00079?pId=2437975

Transcribed 15 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky