State of Delaware Kent County }  To all Persons to whom these presents Shall come Greeting: Know ye that I John Gilder of Kent County in the State of Delaware, for divers good causes, and considerations me thereunto moving, do hereby declare that from and after the fifth day of May which will be in the year of our Lord One thousand, eight hundred and Sixteen My Negro Girl Ruth Luff Free: and by these presents, do hereby set free manumit and Enfranchise the said Ruth Luff after the term and time above mentioned, it being the time that ^she the said Ruth Luff will arive to the age of Twenty eight years, And I the said John Gilder do hereby acknowledge that from and after the said fifth day of May One thousand eight hundred and sixteen the said Negro Ruth Luff discharged from all claim of service, and right of property Whatsoever from me my Heirs Executors and Administrators, In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Affixed my Seal this fifth day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand, Seven Hundred, and ninety Eight. John Gilder {seal}

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us. Test. Rachel X Mansfield, George Slaughter

State of Delaware Kent County } Be it remembered that on the thirty first day of May in the year of Our Lord one thousand, seven hundred, and ninety eight personally appeared John Gilder the Master of the above mentioned Ruth Luff and party hereto, Before me Richard Cooper one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County and Acknowledged the above Manumission to be his Act and deed and the said Ruth Luff to be Free according to the True intent and meaning thereof, In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand, and Affixed my Seal the day and year above written. Richard Cooper

A True copy test Simon W. Wilson recorder.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 12, Book F, Vol 2, Page 81. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00011?pId=2437941

Transcribed 17 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky