Whereas, I John Bellach of the County of Kent and State of Delaware, by means of an obligation to pay Benjamin Chew, Senior, the sum of one hundred and two pounds, did obtain from him, on the Twenty six day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety eigh, a Deed of bargain and sale of, and a legal Title to, a Certain Negro man named David Cooper, for and during his life; and whereas in the said purchase, I was actuated from a motive to ameliorate the Condition of the said David and am still determined not to receive the smallest advantage from the plunder of the rights of any part of the human race; but, simply, to require just compensation for the money I advanced in relieving him, the said David from perpetual bondage; Now know all men by these presents, that I the said John Bellach, do hereby Covenant and agree to demand from the said David, no further reimbursement, nor no other equivalent; than his service and Labour for, and during, and to the full ? and term, of seven years from and after the date hereof; at the expiration of which I hereby do Manumit, for ever relinquish all claim to and set to the free Enjoyment  of liberty, the said David Cooper. Witness my hand and Seal this fifth day of Ma[rch] in the year of our Lord eighteen Hundred 1800. J. Bellach {seal}

Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of Daniel Cowgill Sarah Cowgill

Kent County State of Delaware Ss Be it remembered that on this sixth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred John Bellach appeared personally before me John Clayton one of the Judges of the supreme Court for the State aforesaid, and acknowledged the foregoing instrument of writing – a manumission of his servant David Cooper at the expiration of seven years from the fifth day of March last to be his Act and deed, requesting that it be recorded as such. In Testimony whereof I have set my hand the day and year above writen John Clayton

A True Copy Attest Abraham Ridgely Recorder

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-G9X1-D?view=explore : Sep 3, 2025), image 609 of 620; .

Image Group Number: 007834260

Transcribed 3 Sep 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky