Stockton, Richard, 1730-1781

Richard Stockton (October 1, 1730 – February 28, 1781) was an American Founding Father, lawyer, jurist, legislator, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Born at the Stockton family home now known as Morven in the Stony Brook neighborhood of Princeton, New Jersey, attended Samuel Finley's academy at Nottingham, which later became West Nottingham Academy, and the College of New Jersey located in Newark, graduating in 1748. He studied law with David Ogden, of Newark, who was at that time the head of the legal profession in the province. Stockton was admitted to the bar in 1754 and soon rose to great distinction. In 1763 he received the degree of sergeant at law, the highest degree of law at that time. He served his alma mater, afterwards known as Princeton University, as a trustee 26 years. In 1774, Stockton was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

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