Richard Stockton, Jr., 1764-1828

Richard Stockton, Jr., born April 17, 1764, the son of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independance, and Annis Boudinot Stockton. He married Mary Field, daughter of Robert and Mary Peale Field, of Burlington, New Jersey, and sister of Robert Field, of Delaware, who married his sister, Abigail Stockton.

He was graduated at Princeton in 1779, and studied law in Newark, New Jersey with his uncle, the Honorable Elias Boudinot. At twenty-five years of age, he was commissioned as the first United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Stockton spent most of his time dealing with cases arising from the maritime trade from nearby ports. These cases involved the collection of customs duties on goods brought through the New Jersey ports from foreign countries. When Stockton left office in 1791, he was widely considered the best attorney in the state of New Jersey.

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 Frederick Frelinghuysen, serving till March 3, 1799. He also served one term in the lower house of Congress, in 1813-15, declining re-election to both offices. In 1815, Queen's College (now Rutger's) conferred upon him the degree of LL. D., and Union did the same in 1816.

He was eloquent speaker and exceptionally able common-law lawyer, and was consulted by eminent lawyers from many other states. He was often called "The Duke".

He inherited the family estate, "Morven", which he restored and improved, and lived there until his death. Richard Stockton Jr. died March 7, 1828 at 64 years old.