I Timothy Lister do for the purpose of setting free the negroes hereinafter named do make and publish this my last will and testament.

I will and direct the son of Moses Thomas and Meriam his wife negroes – the said son being named Fountain, who was born the 15 day of April 1797 be free at his age of twenty five years – that William Thomas also son of said Moses and Meriam, the said William having been born on the 13th day of May 1798 be also free at his age of twenty five years – and that Caleb Thomas, another son of said Moses and Meriam, the said Caleb having been born on the said 13th day of May 1798 be free at his age of twenty five – and that Elizabeth Thomas daughter of said Moses and Meriam, the said Elizabeth having been born on the 25th day of May 1801 be free at her age of twenty years- and that the said Fountain, William and Caleb serve and be not free until they respectively shall attain to their respective ages of twenty five years and that said Elizabeth serve and be not free until she attain to  her age of twenty years. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 22 January 1812.  Timothy Lister {seal}

Signed sealed and published in presence of us  Lewis Gano John Cook Nathaniel Boyer

Codicil

Further in addition to the aforegoing will and direction I do will and direct, that Meriam Thomas my negro slave the mother of the negroes named in my aforegoing will be free immediately after my decease. Witness my hand and seal. 22 January 1812 Timothy Lister his mark {seal}

Witnesses Lewis Gano John Cook Nathaniel Boyer 

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRM-WSD6-R?view=fullText : Mar 2, 2025), image 679 of 861; Delaware Public Archives (Dover). 104426465

Transcribed 4 Mar 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky

Will Timothy Lister with Manumission of Slaves 1812