This Indenture made the fourth day of August A.D. 1841 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 Ebenezar Cloak of the said county and State of the other part; Whereas the said Robert Palmatory trustee as afore- said and Nehemiah Stockly justice as aforesaid having received in- formation of a certain male negro child, named John 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 constable of said county, commanding him to bring before them at a time and place therein appointed the said John 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 John 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 John Hackett postpone the binding for five days to enable the said parents to give sufficient security for indemnifying the county against the maintenance of the Said John Hackett which security has not been given, although the time aforesaid has expired.

Now therefore the indenture Witnesseth, That the said Robert Palmatory trustee of the poor and Nehemiah Stockly justice as afore- Said, 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 John Hackett by the Said Ebenezer Cloak have put and bound and by these presents do put and bind the said John Hackett a negro boy, who is now of the age of nine years as nearly as can be ascertained, and servant to the said Ebenezer Cloak his executors, administrators and assigns for and during the term of twelve years from the day of the date hereof; the said John Hackett to serve the Said Ebenezer Cloak his executors, administrators and assigns, as a servant for the term aforesaid or until he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years and no longer ^ if that should happen sooner than the expiration of ten years^ , And the Said Ebenezer Cloak for himself, his executor and administrators doth hereby covenant and contract to teach or cause the said John Hackett to be taught the art trade and business of farming to the best of his skill, knowledge and ability to well support and clothe the Said John 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 John Hackett the sum of twenty dollars in lieu of schooling, it being inexpedient to stipulated for education in reading and writing. In witness whereof the said Robert Palmatory trustee as aforesaid Nehemiah Stockly justice as aforesaid, (being together and executing this indenture in the presence of each other) and the said Ebenezar look have hereunto set their hands and seals respectively the day and year first herein written. R. Palmatory {seal}. N. Stockly seal}. Ebenr Cloak {seal}

Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of Saml Call Robert Freestone

I received this indenture to record this 25th 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-CSB7-8S39-3?view=explore : Nov 25, 2025), image 380 of 470; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967961

Transcribed 25 Nov 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky