Whereas I Joshua Fisher of Philadelphia Merchant did some years ago sell & dispose of a certain Negro Man named Cato as a slave but have since (upon Consideration that in so doing I exercised a Power which, however it may be warranted by the Laws of the Land, one human Creature cannot and ought now to have over another) purchased him from Gilbelcher Parker his last Master with a view to setting him free. Now Therefore know all Men, that I the said Joshua Fisher from  an Apprehension that it is my Duty as a Christian to do, have & by these presents do for myself my Heirs and Executors fully and absolutely manumit and set free the said Cato, whom I would hereafter call by the Name of Cato Freeset hereby fully acquitting and discharging the said Cato Freeset of and from all Manner of Claim and Demand of Me or any Person whatsoever claiming by from or under Me. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal the twenty-ninth Day of the eighth month one thousand seven hundred seventy six. Joshua Fisher {seal}

Signed & deliver’d in the presence of us John Hazzard Wm, Hazzard

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_275426-00496?pId=2350839

Transcribed 15 Apr 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky