I Israel Allston of Kent County on Delaware having under Me two young Negroes Witt a Negro Boy named John that I bought till he should arive to twenty five years of Age, from Thomas Nock Junr (& then by his Father’s Will, he was to be free) also a negro girl named Lydia Beckett, being free born, but bound to me by the Overseer of the Poor before two Magistrates till she should arive to twenty one years of age; and whereas I am convinced of the Injustice of such Partiality in the Distinction between them and the whites do therefore hereby oblige myself my Heirs Executors and Adm, under the Penalty of fifty Pounds to each the afsd Negroes towitt Boy John and Girl Lydia Beckett, that they shall be free when they arive to lawfull Age: that is when John arives to twenty one and Lydia when she arives to the Age of Eighteen years to be free and clear of Me my Heirs Exers, and Administrators and at full Liberty to act for themselves without the Lett Hindrance or Molestation of me my Heirs Exrs Administrators or any other Person or Persons whatsoever claiming or to claim under Me. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affix’d my Seal this sixteenth Day of the first Month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy Six 1776 – the age of Negro John is judged to be fourteen the first Day of this present Month and girl Lydia aged six years old; Reference to the Indentures being had may more fully appear. Israel Allston {seal}

Witness present to the Acknowledgm’ hereof, Warner Miffliin William Wilson

Record Examined Warner Mifflin

U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Delaware, Kent (County), Duck Creek Monthly Meeting, Manumissions 1774-1792, Image 11, Page 15

https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2189/images/31906_275426-00488?pId=2350688

Transcribed 6 Feb 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky