To all to whom these presents shall come I James Berry of Murderkill Hundred in the County of Kent and State of Delaware yeoman Send greeting: whereas Joseph Driskill late of the place aforesaid (my late Brother) was legally seized and possessed of in and to a certain Negro Boy called and Known by the name of Isaac (aged thirteen Years this day. And whereas my said Brother being so thereof seized of in and to the said negro boy called Isaac as aforesaid died intestate unmarried and without issue leaving my self the said James Berry) his only Brother and Heir at law. And whereas the said Negro Boy Isaac having descended to me and now became my lawful property and estate agreeably to the intestate laws of the said State and I being willing and desirous that the said negroe Boy Isaac should be be Freeman when he shall arrive to the full age of Twenty one years Now Know Ye that I the said James Berry administrator and Heir at Law of my said Brother Joseph Driskill do for the consideration of Five shillings lawful money of the said State to me in hand paid manumit, liberate and set Free the said Negroe boy called Isaac, after he the said negroe Boy called Isaac shall arrive to the age of Twentyone years as aforesaid, and not until that period shall arrive. And I do declare bu these presents that from and immediately after the said negroe Boy called Isaac shall arrive to the age of Twenty one years that he shall be Free and fully Liberated and discharged from me the said James Berry my Heirs Executors administrators and assigns, that from and immediately after the freedom of the said negroe boy called Isaac shall be attained by virtue of these presents that I will warrant and defend him the said Isaac from the claim of all person orpersons claiming under myself or my Heirs or under my said Brother Joseph Driskill. InWitness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Tenth day of November anno domini Seventeen Hundred, and ninety seven: James Berry {seal}

Witnesses present Joseph Hale. Simon W. Wilson

State of Delaware Kent County Ss Be it Remembered that on the Tenth day of November anno domini Seventeen hundred and ninety seven James Berry within named Personally appeared before me George McCall Esquire one of the Justices assigned to Keep the peace for Kent County aforesaid and Acknowledged the within Instrument of writing to be his act and deed and desired the same may be recorded in due form of Law. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand the date above written. George McCall

A True copy test Simon Wilmer Wilson Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 787, Image 618, Book F, Vol 2, Page 40. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221874-00617?pId=2437570

Transcribed 17 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky