From "History of the Stout Family" by Nathan Stout, 1823

"Richard Stout, the first of the name in America was born in Notinghamshire,
in Old England, and his father's name was John. The said Richard, when quite
young paid his addresses to a young woman that his father thought below his
rank, upon which account some unpleasant conversation happened between
the father and the son, on account of which, the said Richard left his father's
house; and in a few days engaged on board a ship of war, where he served
about seven years, after which time he got a discharge at New Amsterdam,
now called New York, in America."

Stouts from the British Islands