This Indenture made this sixteenth day of November A.D. 1846 Between Thomas Stevenson Justice of the peace and John McDowell trustees of the poor for Kent County, in the State of Delaware, of the one part – and Cloutsbery Cooper of the said county and state, of the other part, whereas, the said Thomas Stevenson Justice of the peace and John McDowell trustee as aforesaid, having received information of a certain female negro child, named Frances Ann Blackiston within the said county, who has not parents able to maintain her and bring her up to industry and suitable employment, and the said Francis Ann Blackiston being peaceably brought by her mother before the said Thomas Stevenson Justice and John McDowell trustee as aforesaid, and the said Justice and trustee having inquired into her condition and circumstances, and it appearing to be a proper case for binding the said Francis Ann according to the third section of the act concerning apprentices and servants, Now therefore this Indenture Witnesseth, That the said Thomas Stevenson Justice and John McDowell trustee as aforesaid, in pursuance of the power to them given in the said act, and in consideration of the sum of two dollars,  lawful money of the state of Delaware, advanced and paid to Hannah Blackiston mother of the said Frances Ann Blackiston by the said Cloudsbury Cooper have put and bound, and by these presents do put and bind the said Frances Ann Blackiston a negro girl who is now of the age of two months as nearly as can be ascertained, as a servant to the said Cloudsbury Cooper his executors, administrators and assigns, for and during the term of seventeen years and ten months from the day of the date hereof, the said Frances Ann Blackiston to serve the said Cloudsbury Cooper his executors, administrators and assigns as a servant for the term aforesaid, or until she shall arrive at the age of eighteen years if that should happen sooner than the expiration of the term aforesaid and no longer and the said Cloudsbury Cooper for himself his executors and administrators, doth hereby covenant and contract to teach, or cause the said Frances Ann Blackiston 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 Francis Ann Blackiston and at the regular expiration of her servitude, to furnish her with two suits of clothes suitable to her condition and also to pay the said Francis Ann Blackiston 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 Thomas Stevenson and John McDowell trustee & justice, as aforesaid (being together and executing this indenture in the presence of each other.) and the said Cloudsbury Cooper have hereunto set their hands and seals respectively, the day and year first herein written. Thomas Stevenson {seal} John McDowell {seal} Cloudsbury Cooper his mark {seal}

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Geo. P. Fisher

I received this Indenture to record this this eighth day of December A.D. eighteen hundred and forty six. James B. Ralston Recr.

A true copy recorded and taken from the original- Attest James B. Ralston, Recorder

and now, to wit, this 9th day of January A.D.1847, a petition having been filed on the part of the within named Frances Ann Blackiston before Samuel M. Harrington associate Judge of the state of Delaware praying to be discharged from the said Indenture, and the case being duly heard and considered, it is ordered and adjudged that the said Frances Ann Blackiston be discharged from her said Indentures, to the said Cloudsbury Cooper (negro) on the ground of the invalidity of the binding. S.M. Harrington Jr.

I received the within discharge made by Judge Harrington to record this ninth day of January A.D. eighteen hundred and forty seven. James B. Ralston Recr

a true copy, attest James B. Ralston Recorder

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8S72-X?view=explore : Apr 5, 2026), image 372 of 439; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967962

Transcribed 5 Apr 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky