This Indenture made the fifteenth day of August A.D. 1840 between Robert Palmatory one of the trustees of the poor and Nehemiah Stockly one of the Justices of the Peace for Kent County in the State of Delaware of the one Part and ________ the justices of the peace of the Said County and State of the other part. Whereas the said Robert Palmatory and N. Stockly trustee and justice as aforesaid having received information of a certain male negro child child, named Eliza Hackett within the Said County who has not parents able to maintain him and bring him up to industry, and in suitable employment, did issue process under their hands and seals directed to Thomas Hawkins a constable of said county, commanding him to bring before them at a time and place appointed, the said Eliza Hackett and also his parents and the said justices upon the parties, or such of them as could be found, being brought pursuant to said process, having inquired into their condition and circumstances; and it appearing to be a proper case for binding the Said Eliza Hackett according to the Second Section of the Act concerning apprentices and servants the said justices did upon the application of the parents of the said Eliza Hackett postpone the said binding for five days to enable the said parents to give sufficient security for indemnifying the county against the maintenance of the said Eliza Hackett which security has not been given, although the time aforesaid has expired.

Now therefore this Indenture Witnesseth, That the Said RobertPalmatory trustee and Nehemiah Stockly justice as aforesaid, in pursuance of the power to them given in the Said act, and in consideration of the sum of one dollar lawful money of the State of Delaware, advanced and paid to John Hackett father of the Said Eliza Hackett by the Said Thomas Hawkins have put and bound, and by these presents do put and bind the said Eliza Hackett a negro girl who is now of the age of twelve as nearly as can be ascertained as a servant to the said Thomas Hawkins his executors, administrators and assigns, for and during the term of six years from the day of the date hereof; the said Eliza Hackett to serve the said Thomas Hawkins his executors administrators and assigns as a servant, for the term aforesaid or until she shall arrived at the age of eighteen ears if that shall happen sooner than the expiration of the term aforesaid and no longer. And the said Thomas Hawkins for himself,  his executors and administrators doth hereby covenant and Contract to teach, or cause the said Eliza Hackett to be taught the art, trade and business of housewifery to the best of his skill knowledge and ability; to well support and clothe the said Eliza Hackett 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 Eliza Hackett the sum of ten dollars, in lieu of schooling, it being inexpedient to stipulate for education in reading and writing.

In witness whereof, the said Robert Palmatory and Nehemiah Stockly justice as aforesaid (being together, and executing this Indenture in the presence of each other) and the said Thomas Hawkins have hereunto set their hands and seals respectively the day and year first herein written. R. Palmatory {seal}. N. Stockly {seal}. Thos. Hawkins {seal}

Signed, Sealed and delivered in the Presence of Joseph Fanes John Maberry

I received this indenture to record this 28th day of August A.D. 1841 W. H. Cooper R.

A true Copy. Attest W. H. Cooper Recr.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8S33-C?view=explore : Nov 25, 2025), image 382 of 470; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967961

Transcribed 25 Nov 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky