Know all men by these presents that I Joseph Hoffecker of Duck creek hundred in the county of Kent and State of Delaware for divers good causes and considerations me hereunto moveing do hereby enfranchise manumit an set free my negro man named George whom I purchased of a certain Jonathan Finsthwait for and during the term of his natural life the said George being now about twenty two years old and I do hereby declare the Said George to be free from and after the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty three or when he Shall arrives at the age of twenty eight years, And I do hereby covenant and agree to defend the said George agreeably to the meaning of these presents from the lawful claim of every other person or persons whatsoever Claiming or to claim him the said George by from or under me my heirs executors administrators and every of them. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my had and Seal this 18th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and twenty Seven. Joseph Hoffecker {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of us – John Robertson Gideon Cullen

Kent County ss. Personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the justices of the peace for Kent County Joseph Hoffecker and acknowledged the foregoing manumission to be his act and deed and desired it might be recorded as such; witness my hand this 18th day of october A.D. 1827 Jno Robertson

A true Copy recorded and compared with the original this 18th day of october A.D. 1827. Attest John W. Many Recdr.

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll 796, Image 531, Book A, Vol 3, Page 105.

https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221883-00530?pId=2448940

Transcribed 16 Nov 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky