Know all men by these presents, That I, James T. Bird of Christiana Hundred, NewCastle county and State of Delaware, for and in Consideration of the sum of Fifty dollars lawful money of the United States, to use in hand paid, by her Mother, Harriet Purnell wife of Levin Purnell of Brandywine Hundred, in the County aforesaid, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened released and confirmed, and by these presents, do give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, release and confirm unto the said  Harriet Purnell, a Negro Girl (daughter of the said Harriet) called “Martha Bashton” until she arrives at Eighteen years of age when she shall be forever free from Slavery, Together with all the right, title, interest, claim, property, possession, and demand whatsoever of me, my executors or administrators, of, in, and to the said Negro girl “Martha Bashton”, To have and to hold the said negro “Martha Bashton” and all and singular the premises above mentioned unto her the said Harriet Purnell and her assigns for the term, aforesaid, after which she is hereby manumitted & for ever ^free from servitude. In witness whereof I the said James T. Bird have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of July  A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty. James T. Bird {seal}

Signed, sealed & delivered in the presence of John Gregg  Wm McCauly    

State of Delaware NewCastle County Ss. Be it Remembered That on the twenty seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty, Before me William McCaulley Notary &c Public of Said State and County, James T. Bird named in the within Manumission, Bill of Sale, & instrument of writing personally appeared and acknowledged Said Manumission, Bill of Sale, & Instrument of Writing to be his act & deed, and that the same might be recorded, Witness my hand and Notorial seal, at Wilmington, the day and year aforesaid. Wm M Caulley Not. Pub.

Received for record July twenty seventh A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty. Wm. D. Ocheltree Recorder.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records 1677-1947, New Castle County, Roll 059, Image 161. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61025/records/2037781?tid=194514904&pid=302610787831&hid=1008865085928&usePUBJs=true

Transcribed 24 Feb 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky