This Indenture made the First day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety three by and between John Bell of the Town of Dover in the County of Kent in the Delaware State Merchant and Anne his Wife of the one part. And Cuffee Ellis (negroe) of the same place of the other part. Witnesseth that the said John Bell and Anne his wife for and in Consideration of the just and full Sum of Thirty five pounds lawfull money of the Delaware State to them in hand paid or well secured to be paid by the said Cuffee Ellis at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents, The receipt where of they do hereby acknowledge And themselves therewith fully Satisfied contented and paid, Have granted bargained Sold released aliened and enfeoffed and Confirmed and by these presents Do grant bargain sell release, alien, enfeoff and confirm unto the said Cuffee Ellis his heirs and assigns forever All that Lott small piece or parcel of Ground being part of a larger Tract of Land called Leeson alias Morgans Calf Pasture situate near the Northern bounds of the Town of Dover being the one fourth part of a two acre lot of ground the property of the said John Bell situate as aforesaid, and in Murderkill hundred Kent County and State aforesaid on the East side of the main County Road leading from Dover, over St. Jones’s Bridge, towards Duck Creek whereon stands a small Log’d House, and such part of said Whole Lott hereby intended to be conveyed is bounded as follows vista. Beginning at a Corner of a Lott of ground some time heretofore conveyed by John Bell senr. Unto Peter Fury by the east side of the said main County Road and is distant North eight degrees East five and a quarter perches from a stone a Corner of said Peter Furys and a lott late John Bullens, and from the said Beginning extending by and with the said East side of said main Road North eight degrees east, two perches ten feet and four inches, to a Corner in the line of the said John Bells whole lott being likewise on the east side of said main Road from thence extending through the said whole lot, in such sort as to Lay off one fourth part thereof in the grant hereby to be made in two lines parallel to the Lott late Peter Furys above mentioned that is to say, North seventy six degrees East seventeen perches, and nine tenth parts of a perch and North sixty two degrees, and fifteen minutes East seventeen perches, and one quarter of a perch, to a stake for a Corner in the Eastern line of said whole lott. Then with said line South Eight degrees west two perches, ten feet, and four inches to a stake at the Corner of the Lott of Ground of the said Peter Fury above mentioned from thence by and with two lines there of as follows vizt. South sixty two degrees, fifteen minutes West, seventeen perches, and one quarter of a perch and south seventy six degrees West Seventeen perches and ninth tenths parts of a perch to the place of Beginning containing and now laid off from the whole Lott, for an half an acre of Ground strict measure, be the same more or less, Together with all and singular the Houses Buildings, Gardens Fields Pastures Fences, and all and every the improvements and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and all the Rents issues and profits thereof and also all the Estate Right Title Interest use possession property claim and demand whets ever, of them the said John Bell and Anne his Wife either in equity or in Law, or otherwise howsoever of in and to the said Lott, small piece or parcel of Ground, and premises containing one half of an acre and the Reversion and Remainders thereof To Have and to Hold the said Lott, small piece, or parcel of Ground and premises hereby granted unto the said Cuffee Ellis his heirs and assigns to the only proper use, Benefit and Behoof, of him the said Cuffee Ellis his Heirs and assigns forever, and to and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever. And the said John Bell and Anne his Wife, the said Lott small piece, or parcel of ground and premises containing as aforesaid one half of an acre, hereby granted bargained and sold, unto the said Cuffee Ellis his heirs and assigns against themselves the said John Bell and Anne his Wife and their Heirs and against all and every other person or persons whatsoever lawfully claiming or here after to claim by from or under him them any or either of them, shall and Will warrant and forever, by these presents Defend. And they the said John Bell and Anne his Wife do hereby nominate Constitute and appoint James Sykes Esquire of the Town of Dover Kent County and State aforesaid to appear in open Court of Common Pleas to be held at Dover for Kent County & State aforesaid when the same shall be sitting and then and there for them the said John Bell and Anne his Wife to Acknowledge this Deed with the Lands Lotts & Premises herein Conveyed to be the Right and property of him the said Cuffee Ellis his heirs and assigns forever, according to the purport and effect hereof which acknowledgement shall be as Valid in Law, to all intents and purposes as if the said John Bell and Anne his Wife, had appeared in their own proper persons and made the same themselves. In Witness of all which they the said John Bell and Anne his wife have hereunto set their hands, and affixed their Seals the day and year first above written. John Bell {seal} Nancy Bell her mark {seal}

Sealed and delivered in presence of us Thomas White, George Cummins

Delaware State Sst. Be it Remembered that on the first day of March anno Domini seventeen hundred and Ninety three Ann Bell, the Wife of John Bell within mentioned and one of the parties to the within and foregoing written Indenture personally appeared before me Thomas White Esqr. One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Kent County and did acknowledge that she of her own free voluntary will and accord became and is a party to the same Indenture and did declare that she was not thereto induced or compeled by any threats of or from her said husband or for fear of his displeasure. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the same day & year aforesaid. Thos. White

Received the day and date within written of Cuffee Ellis (negro) thirty five pounds the consideration money within mentioned in full. John Bell

£35 Test George Cummins,

Kent County. Delaware State } to wit. Be it Remembered that John Bell came into the adjourned Court of Common Pleas held at Dover for said County on the first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety three and then and there acknowledged the above deed unto Cuffee Ellis with the Lott of Ground and premises therein specified to be his right and property according to the purport and Effect thereof, In Testimony whereof I have hereto caused the public Seal of sd Court to be affixed. John Clayon Pro.

A true Copy Test Francis Many Recordr.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 787, Image 109, Book D, Vol 2, Page 79.

Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221874-00108?pId=2436222

Transcribed 23 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky