This Indenture made this ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven,  Between Samuel M. Harrington, Associate Judge of the State of Delaware of the one part, and Benjamin Enos of Duck Creek hundred, in the county of Kent and State aforesaid. of the other part. Whereas, Thomas Stevenson Esq. and John McDowell a trustee of the poor in and for Kent county, did by certain articles of Indenture, bearing date the 16th day of November A.D. 1847 put and bind Samuel Blackiston a coloured boy, of the age of 4 years 1 month and 7 days, an apprentice to Cloudsbury Cooper negro his executors, administrators and assigns, for the term of 16 years 10 months and twenty three days, or until he should arrive at the age of twenty one years, And whereas, the said Samuel Blackiston negro hath prifured his petition to the said Samuel M. Harrington, associate Judge as aforesaid within the county aforesaid, praying to be discharged from the said Indenture, on the ground of the invalidity of the binding, and whereas, upon hearing and consideration of the said petition the said Judge is of the opinion that for the invalidity of the binding the petitioner ought to be discharged. but that he ought nevertheless, to be bound as a servant, and the said Judge having pronounced such discharge Now this Indenture witnesseth That the said Samuel M. Harrington, associate Judge as aforesaid, by virtue of the power and authority to him given by an act of the General Assembly of the said state, entitled, and act concerning apprentices and servants, hath put and bound and by these presents doth put and bind the said Samuel Blackiston neg, now of the age of four years three months and one day as nearly as can be ascertained, as a servant to Benjamin Enos his executors, administrators and assigns, for and during and until the full end and term of sixteen years eight months and twenty nine days, from the day of the date hereof, the said Samuel Blackiston to serve the said Benjamin Enos 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 Benjamin Enos for himself, his executors, administrators and assigns, doth hereby contract, covenant and agree to teach or cause the said Samuel Blackiston to be taught the business of a common laborer and servant to the  best of his skill, knowledge and ability, to give to Hannah Blackiston mother of said Samuel six dollars and fifty five cents to well support and clothe the said Samuel during the term of his servitude, and at the regular expiration of the said term, to furnish the said Samuel with two suits of clothes suitable to his condition, and also, to pay the said Samuel the sum of twenty five dollars, it being inexpedient to stipulate for education in reading and writing. In witness whereof the said Samuel M. Harrington associate Judge as aforesaid, and the said Benjamin Enos have hereunto set their hands and seals respectively, the day and year herein first written. Sam’l M. Harrington {seal} Benjamin Enos {seal}

Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of William C. Smith

I received this Indenture to record this ninth day of January A.D. eighteen hundred and forty seven. James B. Ralston, Recr.

A true copy recorded and taken from the original. Attest James B. Ralston Recr.

For Value received I John M. Enos, Administrator of Benjamin Enos dec’d do hereby transfer, assign and set over, the above Indenture and all the unexpired services of the above named Samuel Blackiston to David Pleasanton his Executors administraters and assigns: And I the said David Pleasanton 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 Benjamin Enos deceased to be down and performed: Witness our hands and seals the twentieth day of February in the Year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and forty nine. John M Enos {seal}. David Pleasonton {seal}

Witness S.M.Harrington

The above assignment was executed in the presence and with the approbation of the subscriber an associate Judge of the State of Delaware. Given under my hand the 20th day of February A.D. 1849 S.M. Harrington J.

A True Copy, Attest W M. Cowgill Recr.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8S7N-W?view=explore : Apr 5, 2026), image 419 of 439; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967962

Transcribed 5 Apr 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky