This Indenture made the fourth day of August A.D. 1841 between Robert Palmatory one of the trustees of the poor and Nehemiah Stockly, two of the justices of the peace for Kent County in the State of Delaware, of the one part and Thomas Hawkins of the Said County and State of the other part.

   Whereas, the Said Robert Palmatory trustee and Nehemiah Stockly justice as aforesaid, having received information of a certain male negro child named Mary 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 therein appointed, the Said Mary 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 Mary 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 Mary 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 Mary Hackett which security has not been given, although the time aforesaid has expired.

Now therefore this Indenture Witnesseth That the Said Robert Palmatory trustee and Nehemiah Stockly justice as aforesaid; in persuance 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 Mary Hackett by the said Thomas Hawkins have put and bound and by these presents do put and bind the said Mary Hackett a negro girl who is now of the age of nine years 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 nine years from the day of the date hereof; The Said Mary Hackett to serve the Said Thomas Hawkins his executors administrators and assigns, as a servant for the term aforesaid, or until he shall arrive 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 Thomas Hawkins for himself, his executors, administrators doth hereby covenant and contract to teach or use the said Mary 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 Mary 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 Mary 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 trustee and Nehemiah Stockley 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 John Maberry

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 R.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8SSR-W?view=explore : Nov 25, 2025), image 383 of 470; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967961