Martha Downes, Document of Manumission dated 1797

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Martha Downes, Document of Manumission dated 1797

Know all men by these presents that I Martha Downes of Queen Ann's
County and State of Maryland do think it wrong and oppresive to hold negroes
in Bondage therefore do Hereby manumit and set absolutely free the following
negroes that are in Bondage to me namely _irus (Sirus?) to have his liberty on
the ___ day of May one Thousand Eight Hundred and four and my negro girl
Beth freedom to take place on the first day of January in the year one thousand
Eight Hundred and nine also my negro woman Amy being twenty one years old
last November, which negro Amy I do hereby discharge from my service
forever she having full liberty to act for herself. And I Do hereby warrant and
defend the freedom of all the aforesaid negroes against myself Heirs Executors
or Administrators and Against all manner of person or persons claiming or to
claim any right or title thereto by from or under me them or any of them . In
witness where of I have Hereunto Set my hand and affixed my seal this
twentieth day of April Anno Domini  Seventeen Hundred and ninety seven.

Witness

Jon A. Bready   Martha Downes

Queen Anns County ___

April 20th 1797 Best remembered that on the twentieth day of April seventeen
Hundred and ninety seven came the above named Martha Downes before me
the Subscriber, one of the Justices of the peace for Queen Anns county, and
did Acknowledge the within deed of Manumition to be Her Act and deed and
the negroes Therein severally mentioned and named to be free and Absolutely
at Liberty according to the force form and effect of the same deed and the true
intent and meaning thereof-

Jon A. Bready