To all Christian People to whom these presents shall come I John Dickinson of Wilmington in the county of New Castle upon Delaware send Greeting Whereas I disire to prevent a continuance of Slavery, Know ye that I do hereby manumit set free and discharge from all further Servitude these black men, Augustus Joseph, Pompey Toby Abraham Nathan Isaac William Nicholas Richard Caesar Jerry Charles and pompey son of Pompey and these Black Women, Mary Flora Violet Syntha Dinah Rachel Abby Letitia peggy Nilly abigail Rose Sarah and Rachel the younger and these Black Children Nancy James and Cecelia the Children of Dinah, Ester and Nancy the children of pompey and Pricilla Rose Emelia and Nice the Children of Toby and Sidney James Rachel and Daniel the Children of Rachel and Daniel. Rachel the child of Lecutitia David & Lydia the children of Abby Rachel the child of Jerry and Sarah, Polly Caleb Ana betty & Ruth the children of Peggy, Hannah and Daniel the Children of Nelly. Charles And Rose the children of Violet the younger and Joshua Nancy Curtis Reuben Sarah Anny and Lydia the Children of Nathan and abigail, and every Other Blacks from whom I may Claim Service by the Laws of the State if any there be whose name is herein Omitted. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Eleventh day of May ^ in the year ??? one thousand Seven hundred & Eighty six. John Dickinson {seal}

Sealed & Delivered In the presence. Thomas Collins. Saml West.

Kent County. Delaware State Sst. Be it Remembered that John Dickinson within mentioned came into the Court of common pleas held at Dover in and for Kent County afsd. The Eleventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and eighty six and then and there did acknowledge this Instrument of writing as his act and Deed In Testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and Caused the Public seal of Kent County afsd. To be hereunto affixed.

James Sykes Prothy.

a true copy Test. Simon W. Wilson Recordr.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 785, Image 117, Book Y, Vol 1, Page 257. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221872-00116?pId=2433903

Transcribed 4 Oct 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky