Stockton, Richard (1730-81) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey. Brief Autograph Document Signed ("Richd Stockton") on the verso of a true copy of a legal agreement dividing 6,000 acres of land in New Jersey between Richard Stockton, John Hind, and Ebenezer Cowel, 1 1/3 pages, Nov. 14, 1774. On page 2, below the names of the three parties involved in the division of land, Stockton wrote, "a true copy from the original compared by me Richd Stockton," followed by a paraph. It is a little light but legible and a very rare example of Stockton's autograph. The document has considerable age wear, toning, and a few faint stains; one old tape repair and a small fold split do not affect Stockton's text or signature. The integral leaf is lacking 1/6 of the sheet at lower left but the docket is intact. Accompanied by a transcript.
After signing the Declaration for New Jersey, Stockton and George Clymer were appointed by Congress to tour Fort Ticonderoga, Saratoga, and Albany, New York. After returning home to Princeton, Stockton was taken prisoner on Nov. 30, 1776 by the British and treated harshly because he had signed the Declaration of Independence. Cornwallis occupied his home and all of his property was taken or destroyed. Although Gen. Washington managed to obtain an exchange for Stockton, he never recovered his health and he died in 1781.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
Purchased from Robert Batchelder in 1982.
Signers of The Declaration of Independence
