April 16th. 1793. Be it Remembered this Day I Doe Sell unto James Whitaker my Negro woman Rhoda for the tarme of five years from this Date with her increase if any in said tirm of five years. to serve the said Whitaker or his heirs untill they Shall drive to age of twenty two years old – Also hur Son George now with hur for the tarme of twenty one years & Eight Months from this Date to serve the said Whitaker & after the above tarme is Expired the said Negroes to be free to them Selves as Witness our hands this day and Date above Mentioned. James Whitaker {seal} Fisher Waltun {seal}

Present Nathl. Stradley the mark

one of the Increase of the within named woman Rhody is Named Henny was Born the 17th. Of the 9th Month 1794. One other Named Charles Bn 1st day of 5 Month 1797 the above Instrument and this Certificate is this 28th of 12 mo. 1798 acknowledged by James Whitaker. James Whitaker {seal}

in the presence of Isaiah Rowland. Thomas Cox.

The State of Delaware Kent County} Personally appeared Isaiah Rowland before me one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County and on his Solemn affirmation saith that he was Personally Present with James Whitaker the within Grantor and saw him the said James, sign, seal and Deliver the within Instrument dated the twen[ty] Eighth day of the twelth month one thousand seven hundred & Eight and Pronounce all the within mentioned named negroes free as noted in the Instrument of April 16th 1793 given under my hand and seal this third day of September Eighteen Hundred and one – John Cole {seal}

A True copy Attest, A. Ridgely Recr.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 338, Book G, Vol 2, Page 98, Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00337?pId=2438795

Transcribed 11 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky