Richard's will reads as follows:-
"1766 April the 15th Richard RIPPAR doth give and bequeath unto Prudance RIPPAR his wife all his goods and chatels and to Prudance Don one shilling to Hounar RIPPAR one (here the word 'ginny' has been crossed out) pound (here the word 'ten' has been crossed out) eleven shilings and sixpence and after the said Prudance RIPPAR is ded all that she shall leave she shall return unto John RIPPAR this is Richard RIPPARs last will and testament -
Witness David BOLLEAT(?) Charles ALLAN
Signed Richard RIPPAR"
It would appear, and was normally the case, that the health of the will's author was failing. Experience has shown that in the majority of cases where a will is still available, it was written just before the death of the individual. Indeed the next document (which is retained by the Royal Institution of Cornwall), shown under Prudence Ripper (nee Stevens) indicates that Prudence is now a widow.