To all whom these presents Shall come I James Summers of Murdurkill Hundred in the County of Kent and State of Delaware free negro, send Greeting Know Ye that I the said James Summers for divers considerations me especially moving do manumit Liberate and set at full Liberty and by these presents doth manumit liberate and set at full Liberty my affectionate Children namely Thomas Summers who is now aged about five years, and Ruth Summers aged Seven years, on or about the twenty first day of December next ensuing the date hereof And I the said James Summers doth Covenant promise grant and agree to and with the said Thomas Summers, and Ruth Summers that they the said Thomas Summers and Ruth Summers liberated as aforesd. Shall from and immediately after the date of these presents enjoy their Freedom as Other Free Citizens Can or ought to do, and that they or either of them shall not at any time hereafter be molested or bared by the said James Summers his Executors administrators or any other person And I the said James Summers the said Thomas & Ruth hereby manumitted liberated and set at Liberty against himself the said James Summers and his Heirs Executors and administrators, and against all other persons whatsoever claiming the said Thomas & Ruth or either of them shall and will warrant and defend by these presents In Witness whereof I the said James Summers have set my Hand & Seal this fourteenth day of October Anno domini 1797. James Summers his mark {seal}

Sealed & deliv’d in presence of us S W Wilson John Lowber.

Kent County State of Delaware Ss. Be it Remembered that on the fourteenth day of October Anno domini Seventeen Hundred and ninety seven, Personally appeared Before me George McCall one of the Justices assigned to Keep the peace in and for said County the within named James Summers party to the within instrument of writing and Acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and desired the same to be recorded in due form of Law. In Testimony whereof I hereto set my Hand the day and year above written. Geo. 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/discoveryui-content/view/2437612:61025?ssrc=pt&tid=194514904&pid=302600126661

Transcribed 17 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky