Will of Richard Ridout
from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 174 to 176 probate year 1834

In re
     Richard Ridout       deceased.

In the name of God Amen. I Richard Ridout of Long Pond South Shore Conception Bay Newfoundland Planter being of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body knowing it is appointed unto all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth when I die to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of those whom my will is drawn in favour of nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Almighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose of as follows,
First of all I give and bequeath unto my eldest sons Richard and Edward all my waterside premises with the land adjoining bounded on the westward by Joseph Porter and on the eastward by John Perring and on the back by the woods each to have an equal part, my eldest son Richard to have the eastward part, with all improvements thereon and my son Edward the westward part with all buildings improvements and erections thereon by them freely to be possessed and enjoyed. I also give and bequeath to my wife Susan all my inside Farm with all improvements thereon one half to be possessed and enjoyed by her during her natural life and the other half I give and bequeath unto my four younger sons, that is to say, Apollos, Reuben, Robert and Samuel to be freely possessed and enjoyed by them when they shall have attained the age of twenty one years each and every one to have an equal share. I also give and bequeath unto my wife Susan a small neck of land situate in Long Pond with all improvements thereon to be by her freely possessed and enjoyed until my four younger sons shall have attained the age of twenty one years I then give and bequeath the same to them to be by them freely possessed and enjoyed, that is to say, Apollos, Reuben, Robert and Samuel each to have an equal part. The aforesaid Farm is bounded on the North east by John Perring and on the South West by Thomas Ead and Joseph Porter.
I give and bequeath unto my (only) daughter Susan now wife of Benjn Squires Broad Cove the sum of five pounds cash currency to be paid by my wife Susan and my six sons each to pay their proportional part. I also further give and bequeath unto my sons Edward, Apollos, Reuben, Robert and Samuel my four guns and my silver watch one of them to have the watch and the other four a gun each the eldest of them to have the first choice and so on to the youngest. I also give and bequeath to my eldest son Richard my suit of long clothes coat, waistcoat and trousers of Superfine Broad Cloth. I also give and bequeath unto my wife Susan and four sons Apollos, Reuben, Robert and Samuel my horse, cart and Harrow for the use of the farm. And all the rest residue and remainder of my goods debts effects and other my estate whatsoever, and wheresoever, both real and personal viz. Boats Punts, Purchase Blocks, Nets, Seines, Anchors, implements of husbandry, household furniture &c. I give and bequeath unto my wife Susan and my six sons Richard, Edward, Apollos, Reuben, Robert and Samuel to each and every one of them and each to have an equal part. And in case of any dispute between my wife Susan and my two sons Edward & Richard so that they cannot live agreeable together I give and bequeath unto my wife Susan the eastward end of my dwelling house to reside in until she has time to provide some place for herself. I also further give and bequeath unto my daughter Susan two sheep and the remainder of my flock to be equally divided between my wife Susan and my six sons Richard, Edward, Apollos, Reuben, Robert and Samuel each to have an equal share. And I do order that all my just debts and charges proving this my will be in the first place fully paid and satisfied out of my estate by those whom the will is drawn in favour of each and every one to pay an equal part my daughter Susan excepted. I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Richard Parmiter of Middle Bight South Shore Conception Bay to be my sole executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this only to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I the said testator Richard Ridout have to this my last will & testament set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. Richard Ridout.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator Richard Ridout as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Witness Richard Ridout.   Richard Parmiter.
William Batten.   Edward Kennedy. their x marks (their X marks is fitted in so that it seems to refer to Batten and Kennedy only)

Certified Correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar