Kent County State of Delaware } Sst Personally appeared George McCall of the Town of Dover in the County and State aforesaid Surveyor, before ^me John Clayton Esqr. One of the Justices of the supreme Court and being sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, Deposeth & Saith, that some time in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hudred, and eighty eight or nine, as he thinks: (Mary Black widow of Stephen Black, then lying sick of a Dropsy in the Forest of Murtherkill Hundred, in said County, of which illness she the said Mary Black soon after died) did Manumit all her Negroes in the presence of Martinus Sipple and this Deponant in writing, which Instrument of writing or manumation this Deponant drew, and thereto Signed his name as a witness. which Instrument of writing after being duly executed and witnessed was placed in the hand of said Martinus Sipple for safe Keeping. that the names of the negroes therein mentioned as he this Deponant believes, was Esther and her sucking child at Liberty both of them immediately after the Execution of said writing, Grace & Penelope, at the age of twenty one years Jim at the age of Twenty five years, & Ben, he this Deponant thinks at twenty five years, which said Instrument of writing as this Deponant stands informed is now not in being, and further this Deponant Sayeth not. Geo. McCall

Sworn to June 6 1796 Before John Clayton

A True copy test Simon Wilmer Wilson Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 787, Image 471, Book E, Vol 2, Page 186. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221874-00470?pId=2437067

Transcribed 18 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky