This Indenture made this Eighth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty six. Between Jonathan Patt and John A. Stevenson ^two Justices of the Peace ^for Kent County in the state of Delaware of the one part and Moses America of the said County and state of the other part, Whereas, the said Jonathan Pratt and J.A. Stevenson Justices as aforesaid having received information of a male negro Child named John H Smith within the said County who has not parents able to maintain him and bring him up to industry and Suitable employment, having inquired  into his condition and circumstances and it appearing to be a proper case for binding the said John H Smith according to the third Section of Chapter Seventy nine of the Revised Statutes the said Justices did upon the application of Moses America put and bound the said John W Smith as follows

Now therefore this Indenture Witnesseth, That the said Jonathan Pratt and J. A. Stevenson Justices as aforesaid in pursuance of the power of them given in the said Chapter have put and bound and by these presents do put and bind the said John H Smith a negro boy who is now of the age of Thirteen years & Ten months as nearly as can be ascertained as a Servant to the said Moses America his executors administrators and assigns for and during the term of Seven years & Ten months from the day of the date hereof the said John H Smith to serve the said Moses America his Executors, administrators and assigns as a Servant for the term aforesaid or until he shall arrive at the age of Twenty one years if that that shall happen sooner than the Expiration of the term aforesaid and no longer, And the said Moses America for himself his executors and administrators doth hereby covenant and contract to teach or cause the said John H Smith to be taught the art trade and business of Farming, to the best of his Skill Knowledge and ability; to well support and clothe the said John H. Smith and at the regular expiration of his Servitude to furnish him with two suits of clothes Suit able to his condition also to pay the said John H Smith the sum of Ten Dollars in lieu of Schooling it being inexpedient to Stipulate for education in reading and writing. In witness where of the said Jonathan Pratt and J.A. Stevenson Justices as aforesaid (being together and executing this Indenture in the presence of each other) and the said Moses America have hereunto set their hands and seals respectively, the day and year first herein writen. Jonathan Pratt {seal} J.A. Stevenson {seal} Moses America {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Coston

Recd for Record this 8th day of January A.D. 1867. A. I. Wright Re

A True Copy Attest A.I. Wright Re

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8SD7-4?view=fullText : Feb 13, 2025), image 105 of 530; Delaware Public Archives (Dover). 104967968

Transcribed 13 Feb 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky