Upon the death of her husband Richard, an indenture vesting the family home in Prudence's name was written, as is shown above. The indenture was between Prudence and Francis Godolphin, the second Earl Godolphin (1678-1766). Upon his death in 1766 the states passed to the son of his youngest daughter, Mary. She had married Thomas Osborne, 4th Duke of Leeds, in 1740. He had other interests and the family moved away from Cornwall and Godolphin for ever.
The indenture follows and reads (I have added some punctuation):-
"This indenture made the fifth day of July in the sixth year of our sovereign Lord George the Third by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty six,
"Between the right honorable Lord Godolphin of the one part and Prudence Ripper of the parish of Breage in the county of Cornwall, widow of the other part,
"Witnesseth that the said Lord Godolphin for and in consideration of the sum of five guineas of lawful money of Great Britain to him in hand paid
"Hath granted, demised, leased to farm, let and confirmed and in and by those presents
"Doth grant demise lease to farm let and confirm unto the said Prudence Ripper, her exors, admons and assignes
"All that messuage or dwelling house with the plott of land near the same situate lying and being in Trenwheale Downs in the said parish of Breage late in possession of Richard Ripper her husband deceased together with all the rights members and appurtenances thereunto belonging excepting and always reserving out of this present grant unto the said Lord Godolphin his heirs and assignes all tin tolltin and tinworks and all other mining metals whatsoever now found or wrought or hereafter to be found or wrought in or upon the said premises and all timber trees of oak, ash and elm now growing or hereafter to grow in or upon the same with free liberty to and for the said Lord Godolphin his heirs and assignes to dig delve work and search for tin and all other metals in and upon the said premises and the same there found to take work dress and carry away and the timber trees there growing to fell cut down and carry away at his and their will and pleasure reserving also unto the said Lord Godolphin his heirs and assignes free liberty of erecting any engines, whims or other houses which may be thought convenient for working any mines on the said premises together with all the water therein and of making any leats in and throughout the same for carrying water for any purpose whatsoever the said Prudence Ripper her exors admons and assignes being allowed yearly forty shillings an acre for all arable land and twenty shillings an acre yearly for all coarse ground and so in proportion for a less quantity than an acre so driven through for the purposes beforementioned
"To Have And To Hold all and singular the said premises with the appurtenances (except before excepted) unto the said Prudence Ripper her exors admons and assignes from the day of the date hereof for and during the full time and term of fourscore and nineteen years fully to be complete and ended If she the said Prudence Ripper aged about fifty eight years, John aged seventeen years and Honor aged twenty years son and daughter of the said Prudence Ripper or any or either of them shall happen to live she the said Prudence Ripper her exors admons and assignes
"Yielding and paying therefore yearly and every year during the said term unto the said Lord Godolphin his heirs or assignes the rent or sum of three shillings and eight pence of lawful money of Great Britain at the the four most usual times of payment of rent in the year (that is to say) Michaelmas Christmas Ladyday and Midsummer by even and equal portions to be divided and paid
"And also yielding and paying seven shillings and fourpence in lieu of an herriot or farleif by upon or after the several respective deaths of them the said Prudence Ripper, John Ripper and Honor Ripper
"Repairing also and well and sufficiently maintaining all singular the said premises with the appurtenances as well in houses hedges ditches gates and fences as in all other needful and necessary repairation whatsoever and in the end of the said term yielding up the same unto the said Lord Godolphin his heirs or assignes in good and sufficient repair
"And shall and will do suit and service to the County Courts of the Manor of Godolphin when and as often as shall be held And do execute the office of a reeve or tythingman within the said manor when and as often as she or they shall be thereunto duly elected and chosen
"And grind all such corn grain and malt as shall be spent in and upon the said premises at the mill or mills of the said manor commonly called Nanjonkyn Mills
"And do execute all such offices suits and services as other the tenants of the said manor and are or were bound accustomed or ought to do and perform
"And If when and as often as it shall happen the said yearly rent to be behind and unpaid in part or in all by the space of thirty days next after either of the times of payment aforesaid whereon the same ought to be paid being lawfully demanded and not paid and no sufficient distress during all that time in or upon the said premises can or may be had or found that then and from henceforth it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Lord Godolphin his heirs and assignes into and upon the said premises to re-enter and the same to have again repossess and enjoy as in his or their former right or estate those presents or any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding
"And the said Lord Godolphin doth by these presents for himself his heirs and assignes covenant grant and promise to and with the said Prudence Ripper her exors admons and assignes that it shall be made lawful for the said Prudence Ripper her exors admons and assignes at by and under the payment of the rent and performance of the covenants conditions and agreements above mentioned quietly and peaceably to have hold and occupy possess and enjoy all singular the the said premises with the appurtenances (except before excepted) without the lawful let suit trouble or hindrance or denial from him the said Lord Godolphin his heirs and assignes or of any other person or persons whatsoever claiming under him or them
"In Witness whereof the said parties to these presents (being first duly stamped) their hands and seals interchanged have set the day and year first above written.
"The sign of X Prudence Ripper"