Know all men by these presents that I Francis Wolford of Kent County on the state of Delaware for divers good causes and Considerations me here unto moving hath and by these presents doth manumit emancipate Liberate and set free and at full Liberty Hesse Wolford and I hereby declare that from and after the date of these presents that the Said Negro Hesse Wolford shall be deemed and  considered as free Woman and shall be capable of enjoying all the right and previledges that free negros or mulatoes  may or can enjoy by the Law of the Said State of Delaware, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the Eighth day of may in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Sixteen. Francis Wolford his mark {seal}

Signed and delivered in the presents of us  John Reed Jr James Schee

Kent County Sst. Be it Remembered that on the Eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Sixteen the above named Francis Wolford 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 hand and affixed my Seal the day and yeare above written James Schee {seal}

A True copy recorded and compared with the original this 11th day of May A.D. 1816. Attest John W. Many Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 792, Image 600, Book Q, Vol 2, Page 237. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221879-00599?pId=2443121

Transcribed 20 May 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky