This Indenture made the third day of July A.D. 1849 Witnesseth: That Catharine Whitaker, Mother of John Whitaker a minor in consideration of the sum of Ten dollars lawful money of the State of Delaware advanced and paid to the said Catharine Whitaker by John Bell Colored man of Kent County in the said State hath in the presence and with the approbation of Thomas Stevenson a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Kent put and bound and by these presents doth put and bind the said John Whitaker a negro boy who is now of the age of nine years & nine months as nearly as can be ascertained as a servant to the said John Bell colored man his Executors, administrators and assigns, for and during the term of eleven yers and three months from the day of the date hereof, the said John Whitaker to serve the said John Bell, his Executors administrators and assigns as a servant for the term aforesaid or untill he shall arrive at the age of twentyone years if that shall happen sooner than the expiration of the Term aforesaid and no longer. And the said John Bell for himself his Executors and administrators, doth hereby covenant and contract to teach or cause the said John Whitaker to be taught the art, trade and business of a Servant to the best of his skill, knowledge and ability; to well support and clothe the said John Whitaker 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 Whitaker the sum of Twenty dollars in lieu of schooling it being inexpedient to stipulate for education in reading and writing. In Witness Whereof the said Catharine Whitaker and John Bell have hereunto set their hands and Seals respectively the day and Year aforesaid. Catharine Whitaker her mark {seal} John Bell his mark {seal}

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of John A. Stevenson

Kent County ss. This Indenture was executed in the presence and with the approbation of the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for Kent County aforesaid, this third day of July A.D. 1849 Thos. Stevenson Jus. Peace

I received this indenture to record this 3d day of July A.D. 1849. H.M. Cowgill Recr.

A True Copy Attest H.M. Cowgill Recr.

For Value Received, I, James C Wallace Admr of John Bell dec’d do hereby transfer, assign and set over the above Indenture, and all the unexpired services of the above named John Witaker to Mary Bell, her executors, administrators and assigns: and I, the said Mary Bell do hereby accept the said assignment, and do bind myself, my executors and administrators to fulfil and perform all and singular, the covenants and stipulations in the above Indenture contained, on the part of the said James C. Wallace Admr. Of J Bell dec’d to be done and performed.

   WITNESS our hands and seals this 22d day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine. James C. Wallace, admr {seal}. Mary Bell her mark {seal}

Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of J H Bateman Geo. Ralston

The above assignment was executed in the presence and with the approbation of the subscribers two Justices of the Peace for Kent County

   Given under our hands the 22d day of March A.D. 1859 Thos. Stevenson J.H. Bateman

A true Copy. Attest Geo. Ralston Recr.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-89BG-6?view=explore : Feb 13, 2026), image 210 of 283; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967963

Transcribed 13 Feb 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky