This Indenture made the Thirtieth day of August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety three; Between Stephen Alston, Esquire, and Sarah his Wife, of the Town of Dover, in the County of Kent in the State of Delaware of the One part, and James Hawkins of the same place (free Negro) and Blacksmith) of the other part; Whereas Eleazer McComb and Lydia his Wife by their Deed bearing date the Thirtieth day of May in the Year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred and Eighty-nine, did Convey to the afsd. Stephen Alston, a certain Lott of Ground situate lying and being on the East side of High Street, in the Town of Dover, in Kent County afsd marked in the Town Plott Number (109) and the said Stephen Alston being Seized of the aforesaid Lott of Ground by virtue of the said Conveyances did on or about the _____ day of _______ in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and _____ became bound by an Article of Agreement or Writing Obligatory to Convey to the aforesd. James Hawkins, whenever he should be thereunto reasonably required, a certain Piece or Parcel of the Lott above mentioned which is butted and bounded as follows; Beginning at a Corner on High Street aforesaid which is also a Corner of a Lott of Ground marked in the Town Plott, with the Number (70) belonging to the Heirs of James Gorrell the elder, deceased; and extending from thence by and with said Lott East by North Eleven and an half perches to the Corner of a Lott belonging to the Heirs of Richard Richardson also a Corner of Eleazer McCoomb Lott, and from thence North by West, twenty seven feet to the Corner of Stephen Alston’s part reserved out of the sd, Lott Number; (109) and from thence West by South Eleven and an half perches to High Street aforesaid; Then by and with said Street, South by East, twenty Seven feet to the place of Beginning Containing and laid out for ___ Perches of Ground be ye same more or less; Now this Indenture Witnesseth that the said Stephen Alston and Sarah his Wife for and in consideration of the Sum of Thirty pounds lawful money of the State of Delaware to them in hand paid or secured to be paid, by the said James Hawkins the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and themselves therewith fully satisfied contented and paid, and thereof and therefrom and from every part and Parcel thereof doth acquit release and exhonerate the aforesd. James Hawkins his Heirs and Assigns for ever, hath granted bargained, sold, released, aliened enfeoffed, and confirmed and by these Presents doth give grant bargain, sell, release, alien, enfeoff, convey and confirm unto the said James Hawkins, his heirs and Assigns forever, all the above described Lott of Ground with the appurtenances with all the Estate Right and Title whatsoever either in Law or equity of them the aforesd. Stephen Alston and Sarah his Wife in the Lott of Ground and Premises with the Appurtenances aforesd. in and by these presents intended, to be sold situate as aforesaid and sd to Contain___Perches be the same more or less; Together with all and singular the Houses, Buildings, Orchards, Gardens, Fields, Fences, Ways, Waters, Woods Under-Woods, Timber and Trees with the Tenements Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the aforesaid Lott of Ground and Premises belonging or in anywise Appertaining and every part and Parcel thereof with their and every of their Appurtenances; To Have and to Hold the aforesaid Lott of Ground and Premises with the Reversion and Reversions, Remainder and remainders, Hereditaments and Appurtenances hereby bargained, and Sold unto the said James Hawkins his Heirs and Assigns to the only proper use and behoof – of the said James Hawkins his Heirs and Assigns for ever, and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever and the said Stephen Alston and Sarah his Wife the Lott of Ground and Premises against themselves and their Heirs and against all and every person or persons whatsoever claiming or hereafter to claim the same from by or under them or either of them will warrant and for ever defend. In  Witness whereof we have hereunto set our Hands and affixed our Seals the day and year first above Written. Stephen Alston {seal} Sarah Alston {seal}

Sealed and delivered in the presence of us: Thos. White Joseph Harper

Received the day of the date of the foregoing Indenture of the within  Named James Hawkins the Sum of thirty pounds Pounds lawful money of the State of Delaware being the full Consideration mentioned therein.  Test

State of Delaware Kent County Sst } Be it Remembered that Sarah Alston Wife of Stephen Alston Parties to the within Indenture came before me the Subscriber One of the Justices of ye. Court of Common Pleas, and she being separate and apart from her said Husband then and there did declare that she became a Party thereto of her own free Will and without fear threats or gaining her said Husbands Displeasure. Thos. White

Kent County Delaware State } Ss. Be it remembered that Stephen Alston came into the Court of Common Pleas, held at Dover for said County, on the Thirtieth day of Augt. In the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Ninety three and Then and there acknowledged the foregoing Deed unto James Hawkins (free negro) with the House and Lot Therein specified to be his right & Property according to the purport and effect thereof. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand and caused the Pubic Seal of the sd. Court to be affixed. John Clayton Prothy.

A true Copy Test Francis Many Recordr.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 787, Image 170, Book D, Vol 2, Page 140. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221874-00169?pId=2436522

Transcribed 23 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky