Stockton Family Historical Trust

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5th Generation in America


Richard Stockton (1764-1828)

Richard Stockton, son of Richard the Signer and Annis B. Stockton, was often called "The Duke". He graduated from Princeton in 1779, and studied law in Newark with his uncle, Honorable Elias Boudinot. At twenty-five years of age, he stood at the head of a New Jersey Bar, and maintained that position for forty years.

In politics he was a Federalist. He was a Presidential Elector in 1792 and 1801, and in 1796 was elected to the United States Senate and filled the unexpired term of Fred Frelinghuysen, serving until March 3, 1799. He also served one term in the Congress of the United States in 1813-15, declining re-election to both offices.

Having inherited the family estate "Morven" he restored and greatly improved it, and made it his home until his death. He married Mary Field, sister of Robert Field who married his sister Abigail. He died at Morven March 7, 1828, and Mrs. Stockton died December 25, 1837 at Morven.

Children of Richard Stockton (The Duke) and Mary (Field) Stockton

Mary Field - b. October 19, 1790, d. August 9, 1866, m. William Harrison. No issue.

Richard - b. November 8, 1791, d. 1828, killed in a duel with John P. Parson in New Orleans. He studied law and practiced for a time in New Jersey, but then moved to Mississippi where he was made one of the Judges of the State Supreme Court. After serving a few years, he resigned and was immediately appointed Attorney General. Then came the duel. Judge Stockton did not fire at his antagonist, and a letter found in his pocket after his death stated his purpose not to fire. He was not married.

Julia - b. October 4, 1793, m. to John Rhinelander, d. March 4, 1864. No issue.

Robert Field - b. August 20, 1795

Horatio - b. 1797, d. December 3, 1815 in the city of New York of an injury received in serving the expedition against the Algerians, being a Midshipman in the United States Navy.

Caroline - b. June 15, 1799, m. -- to William Rotch, d. --?

Samuel Witham - b. March 3, 1801, m. Mary Hunter, his first cousin, daughter of Rev. Andrew Hunter and Mary (Stockton) Hunter. d. October 29, 1836, aged 35 years and 7 months. He and his wife had two children, one son and one daughter.

William Bratford - b. December 12, 1802, d. January 27, 1843, unmarried.

Annis - b. December 30, 1804, d. --? m. in 1825 to Honorable John Renshaw Thomson. No issue. In 1853, upon the resignation of Commodore Robert Field Stockton (his brother-in-law) from the United States Senate, he was elected for the remainder of the term, and re-elected in 1857, for six years.


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