To all whom it may concern be it known that I William H Swiggett of Sussx County in the State of Delaware for divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving as also in further consideration of one dollar Current lawful money to me in hand paid have manumitted and set free, and by these presents do manumit and set free my negro woman named Mahala wife of Eccleston Collins being of the age of twenty three years, and my negro boy named Robert Washington aged five years and nine months and John aged one year and nine months both the sons of the aforesaid Mahala when they each shall have arrived to the age of thirty five years, and her the said negro woman named Mahala and them the said negro boys named Robert Washington and John I do declare to be manumitted and set free when they shall severally have arrived at the age of thirty five years from all manner of servitude or service to me my executors or aministrators forever. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand And affixed my seal this twenty first day of November In the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and forty two AD 1842. William H Swiggett {seal}

Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of Wm Hazzard  

State of Delaware Sussex County Ss Acknowledged by William H Swigett to be his voluntary act or deed before me one of the Justices of the Peace for said county the twenty first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and forty two. Wm Hazzard J.P. {seal}

This manumission was lodged In the /recorders office in and for the County of Sussex on the twenty first day of March In the Year of the Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and forty two C.B. Sipple Recorder

“Sussex, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C37X-393C-M?view=explore : Sep 6, 2026), image 33 of 551; .

Image Group Number: 008577959

Transcribed 6 Sep 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky