Know all Men by these presents that I Thomas Sharpless of St Georges Hundred in New Castle County on Delawa. Miller, do hereby manumit and set absolutely free my negro Girl called Dido aged thirteen years four Months; so that henceforth she shall be deemed adjudged & taken as to be a free Persons; and when she arives to eighteen years of age the to be at Liberty to act for herself as a free Woman, without the Lett Hindrance or Molestation of Me or any other Person or Persons claiming or to claim by, from or under Me: further promising also to teach or cause to be taught the afsd negro Girl Dido (that is to do my best Endeavours to teach or cause to be taught) to read the Bible. And lastly I do hereby bind myself my Heirs Executors Admrs & every of us in the penal Sum of one hundred pounds lawfull Money of this Government unto the above ^named negro Dido to do or perform any other or further Act or Deed that she may reasonably need or require for to further confirm her just Liberty granted as afsd In Testimony whereof I do hereunto set my Hand & affix my Seal this eighteenth day of the seventh Month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six 1776. Thomas Sharpless {seal}

Witness present Warner Mifflin Benj. Damson.

Record Examined Warner Mifflin

U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Delaware, Kent County, Duck Creek Monthly Meeting, Manumissions 1774 – 1792

https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2189/images/31906_275426-00491?pId=2350693

Transcribed 10 Apr 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky