This Indenture made this twenty sixth day of January A.D. 1854 between Trustin L. Davis and James L Smith two of the Justices of the Peace for Kent County in the state of Delaware, of the one part, and John Bell of the said County and State, of the other part: Whereas the said Trustin L. Davis and Jas L. Smith, Justices as aforesaid, having received information of a certain male negro child, named Major Huffington within the said County, who has not parents able to maintain him and bring him up to industry and in suitable employment, having inquired into their condition and circumstances; and it appearing to be a proper case for binding the said Major Huffington according to the second section of the act concerning apprentices and servants: Now therefore, this indenture witnessed: that the said Trustin L. Davis and James L Smith Justices as aforesaid, in pursuance of the power to them given in the said act, as amended, and in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars, lawfull money of the State of Delaware, one fourth party thereof advanced and paid to Zilley Huffington Stepmother of the said Major Huffington by the said John Bell and the balance in three equal annual payments, have put and bound, and by these presents do put and bind the said Major Huffington a negro boy who is now of the age fourteen years as nearly as can be ascertained, as a servant to the said John Bell his executors, administrators and assigns, for and during the term of Seven years from the day of the date hereof; the said Major Huffington 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 twenty one 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 Major Huffington 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 Major Huffington 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 Major Huffington 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 Trustin L. Davis and James L. Smith Justices as aforesaid (being together and executing this indenture in the presence of each other,) and the said John Bell have hereunto set their hands and seals respectively, the day and year first herein written. T. L. Davis J.P. {seal}. James L. Smith J.P. {seal}. John Bell his mark {seal}

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John C. Pennewell. John P. Duhamel

Approved by T.L. Davis & J L. Smith. JP

I received this indenture to record this 27th day of January A.D. 1856. G.W. Collier Rec

A true Copy Attest G.W. Collier

For Value Received, I, James C Wallace administrator of John Bell deceased do hereby transfer, assign and set over the above Indenture and all the unexpired services of the above named Major Huffington to William A. Atkinin his executors, administrators and assigns: and I, the said William A. Atkinin, do hereby accept the said assign- ment, and do bind myself, my executors, administrators to fulfill and perform all and singular, the covenants and stipulations in the above Indenture contained, on the part of the said John Bell to be  done and performed.

   Witness our hands and seals this 14th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine. James C Wallace Admr {seal}. Wm A Atkinin {seal}

Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of J W Bateman  G V Massey

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

   Given under our hands the sixth day of January A.D. 1859 Thos Stevenson J W Bateman

A true Copy Attest Geo Ralston Recr.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8SSP-W?view=explore : Feb 13, 2026), image 435 of 450; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967964

Transcribed 13 Feb 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky