This Indenture made this Twenty fifth day of November A.D. 1851 between Trustin S. Davis and James S. Smith two of the Justices of the Peace for Kent County, in the State of Delaware, of the one part, and James McNatt of the said County and State, of the other part: Whereas, the said Trustin S. Davis and James S. Smith Justices as aforesaid, hav ing received information of a certain male negro child, named James McNatt within the said County, who has not parents able to maintain him and bring him up to industry, and in suitable employment in to his condition and circumstances; and it appearing to be a proper case for binding the said James McNatt according to the second Section of the act concerning apprentices and Servants; Now therefore, this indenture witnessed; That the said Trusten S. Davis and James S. Smith justices as aforesaid, in pursuance of the power to them given in the said act and in consideration of the sum of Eighteen dollars lawful money of the State of Delaware, advanced and paid to Richard Fisher Green Father of the said James McNatt by the said James S. Heverin have put and bound, and by these presents do put and bind the said James McNatt a negro boy, who is now of the age of one year Three months and four days, as nearly as can be ascertained, as a servant to the said James S. Heverin his executors, administrators and assigns, for and during the term of Nineteen years Eight months and Twenty Six days, from the day of the date hereof; the said James McNatt to serve the said James S. Heverin his executors, administrators and assigns, as a servant for the term aforesaid, or until he shall arive at the age of twenty one years, if that shall happen sooner than the expiration of the term aforesaid, and no longer. And the said James S. Heverin for himself, his executors and administrators, doth hereby covenant and contract to teach or cause the said James McNatt to be taught and art, trade and business of Farming to the best of his Skill, Knowledge and ability; to well suport and clothe the said James McNatt and at the regular expiration of his servitude to furnish him with two suits of Clothes suitable to his condition and also to pay the said James McNatt the sum of Five dollars in lieue of schooling, it being inexpedient to stipulate for edu cation in reading and writing.

In witness whereof the said Trustin S. Davis and James S. Smith justices as aforesaid (being together, and executing this indenture in thepresence of each other) and the said James S. Heverin have hereunto set their hands and seals respectively, the day and year first herein written. T. S. Davis {seal} James S. Smith {seal} J. S. Heverin {seal}

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John H. Eubanks

I received this Indenture to record this first day of January A.D.1852 W. M. Cowgirl Recr.

A true Copy W. M. Cowgirl Rcr.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8SQ8-4?view=explore : Jul 18, 2025), image 225 of 450; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967964

Transcribed 18 Jul 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky