Whereas Thomas Cooch Esquire late of Pennkader Hundred and County of NewCastle in the Delaware State deceased was possessed of sundry negro Slaves men and women amongst whom is a negro woman named Jemima about thirty four years old, which after the death of her Master the said Thomas Cooch was by Doctor William McMechen & Thomas Watson Esqr the sworn appraisers of the Estate of the said Thomas Cooch dec’d appraised at Eighteen pounds as pr. Inventory, which said negro woman Jemima we the Subscribers with the Consent of Alexander McBeath & John Siminton the said Thomas Cooch’s Executors, as also with the Consent of the other Heirs of the said dec’d Estate have taken at her aforesaid appraised value for the sole purpose and humane desire of setting her the said Jemima free from Slavery. Now Know all persons whom it may concern that we Solomon Maxwell & Elizabeth his wife, Robert Middleton and Mary his wife & Dorcas Armitage for the fulfilment of our aforesaid Intentions of freedom to the said negro Jemima do by these presents freely, fully and absolutely set free and manumit her the  said negro Jemima acquitting & discharging her from all & all manner of service that otherwise might be due from her the said Jemima to us or either of us from the Day of the Date of these presents forever hereafter, and further our desire is that this our act of manumission to the said Jemima may be recorded to the Intent the same may be of full force & effect against us or Heirs, Executors, administrators & assigns agreeable to an act of Assembly of the Delaware State per the manumission of Slaves. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our Hands & Seals December 15, 1788.} Solomon Maxwell {seal} Elizabeth Maxwell {seal} Robt. Middleton {seal} Mary Middleton {seal} Dorcas Armitage {seal}

Witness present Isaac Hershey Wm McClay

NewCastle County Sst, The Execution of the within was proven by William McClay Esquire one of the witnesses thereto in open Court of Common Pleas held at New Castle for the County of NewCastle, in the May Term A.D. 1789.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Affixed the Seal of said Court.

Recorded July 30th 1789. Lun? Bedford Pro.y.

“New Castle, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3L-3CB2?view=explore : Jun 9, 2026), image 266 of 771; .

Image Group Number: 007834281

Transcribed 8 Jun 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky