Know all men by these presents that I Daniel Walker of Kent County in the State of Delaware for divers good causes and Considerations me hereunto moveing hath and by these presents doth manumit emancipate, liberate and set free and at full liberty my negro Ben Smith after he shall have served six years from the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventeen and I hereby declare that from and after that time of Servitude that the said Negro Ben Smith be deemed and considered as a free man and shall be capable of enjoying all the rights and privileges  that a free negro or mulattoe may or an enjoy by the laws of the Said State of Delaware. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my had and affixed my seal the nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen. Daniel Walker {seal}

Test James Schee Aug. M. Schee

Kent County Sst. Be it Remembered that on the nineteenth day of February in the yeare of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Seventeen the above named Daniel Walker Appeared before me James Schee one of the Justices of the peace of the state of Delaware for Kent County and did acknowledge the above Manumission as his act and deed for the use and Purposes therein mentioned. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my had and and affixed my seal the day and yeare above written. James Schee {seal}

A true Copy recorded and compared with the original this 22nd  day of February AD 1817. Attest John W. Manny Recorder

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSGD-2S7Q-4?view=fullText : Feb 7, 2025), image 165 of 485; . 008217889

Transcribed 7 Feb 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky