Know all men by these presents that I Jonas Dawson of the village of Milford in the County of Kent and State of Delaware Do hereby mannumit enfranchise and set free a certain negroe man named Simon being under the age of thirty five years, the afsd. negroe Simon to be free and at his own liberty from the date of these presents during his natural life, whom I also hereby constitute his own Collector to ask demand receive and recover all debts to him for his labour during the time he hath been for himself – And further I do hereby warrant and defend the freedom of him the afsd. Negroe Simon from the lawfull claim of all and every person claiming or to claim him the said negroe Simon, by from or under me, my heirs executors administrators or any other person or persons whatsoever – In testimony whereof I hath hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this the 14th day of Jun 1802- Jonas Dawson {seal}

Witness present – Elias Shockley, James Bowen

Kent County State of Delaware } Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for sd. county and state, personally appeared Jonas Dawson party to the above instrument of writing and did acknowledge the same to be his act and deed according to the true intent and meaning of the same Given under my hand & Seal this the 14th day of June 1802. John Ralston

A True copy examined and compared with the original this 27th day of May 1803 attest John Caton Recorder.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 549, Book H, Vol 2, Page 32. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00548?pId=2439623

Transcribed 26 Aug 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky