Know all men by these presents that I Elias Shockley of Kent county and State of Delaware for divers good causes and considerations me hereunto moving do hereby manumit enfranchise and absolutely set free the following black people or (Negroes) at the time hereafter mentioned and first Solomon who I bought of Levin Latchem aged about twenty seven years to be free and at his liberty on the twenty fifth day of July eighteen hundred and thirteen and Sarah the wife of said Solomon who I bought of William Mifflin aged twenty seven years to be free and at her liberty the first day of march eighteen hundred and nine and Jonathan her son aged one year and nine months to be free and at his liberty the first day of June eighteen hundred and twenty three, and David who I bought of Levin Latchem to be free and at his liberty the first day of June eighteen hundred and twenty four and further if Sarah should have any more children they shall be free at lawful age Males at twenty one and females at eighteen years old, and I the aforesaid Elias Shockley do hereby warrant and defend the liberty and freedom of the aforementioned black people from the lawful claim of me my heirs executors administrators and every other person claiming by from or under me In Testimony whereof I do hereby set my hand and affix my seal this twelveth day of march one thousand eight hundred and four. 1804 Elias Shockley {seal}

Witness present Brussitt Saterfield. Molton Richards.

State of Delaware Kent County } Before me James Millechop one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace in and for the afsd county on the twelvth day of march one thousand eight hundred and four Personally appeared the within named Elias Shockley in his proper persons, and did acknowledge and declare the Within manumission of the several negroes therein named and mentioned, to be his act and deed according to the true intent and meaning thereof, In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal. James Millechop

A True copy attest John Caton Recorder March 22nd 1804

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 789, Image 54, Book H, Vol 2, Page 195. Ancestry; https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221876-00053?pId=2439943

Transcribed 21 Aug 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky