This Indenture, made this twenty fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and thirty three witnesseth that Jacob Biddle and Thos. Stevenson two of the Justices of the peace in Kent County and State of Delaware hath put and bound and by these presents do put and bind Mariah Vining a negro Bastard child whose mother is dead and she having no person to take charge of her now the age of eleven years as nearly as can be ascertained as a Servant to James Cowgill his executors administrators and assigns for and during and until the full end and term of Seven years from the day of the date hereof the Said Mariah Vining to Serve the Said James Cowgill 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 shall happen sooner than the expiration of the term aforesaid and no longer: And the said James Cowgill for himself his executors administrators and assigns do hereby contract covenant and agree to teach or cause the said Mariah Vining to be taught the art trade or mystery of a Servant to the best of his Skill Knowledge and ability and to give to the Said Mariah Vining when She Shall arrive to eighteen years of age the Sum of five dollars in lieu of Schooling and to well Support and clothe the Said Mariah Vining during the term of her Servitude and at the regular expiration of the Said term to furnish the Said Mariah Vining with two Suits of clothes Suitable to her condition. In witness whereof the Said J. Biddle & Thomas Stevenson and the Said James Cowgill have hereunto in the presence of each other Set their hands and Seals the day and year herein before first written. Jas. Cowgill {seal} J. Biddle {seal}. Thos. Stevenson {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of John H. Eccleston Peter Adams

A true copy Attest John W. Many Recd.

For value received I James Cowgill do hereby transfer and assigns and Set over the within indenture and all the unexpired Service of the within named Mariah Vining to William Fox and to his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. And I the said William Fox do hereby accept the said assignment and do bind myself my heirs, executors and administrators to fulfill and perform all and singular the covenants and stipulations in the within Indenture contained on the part of the said James Cowgill to be done and performed. Witness our hands and Seals this 27th day of March 1837. Jas. Cowgill {seal}. William Fox {seal}

Witnesseth Peter Adams

The within assignment was executed in the presence and with the approbation of the subscribers two of the Justices of the Peace of Kent County March 27, 1837. J. L. Harper. Thos. Stevenson

A true Copy attest Peter Adams Recr.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8S3Z-M?view=explore : May 24, 2026), image 68 of 542; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104967960

Transcribed 24 May 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky