Richard STOCKTON I (The Emmigrant))

Richard Stockton I, often called “the Emigrant,” was born about 1635, probably in England, and died 25 September 1707. He and his wife Abigail are described in family material as founders of the New Jersey branch of the Stockton family. Records and later family accounts place him first in the Flushing area of Long Island and later in Springfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, where he acquired land known as An-na-nicken or by related spellings.

Richard Stockton I, known in family material as “the Emigrant,” was born about 1635, probably in England. His parentage is not established by the supplied material. A passage from the Journal of John Bowne records a request to inquire about Richard Stockton’s uncle, Thomas Stockton, described as a “docker of fisick” living in “Cole harber” in or near London. Later commentary identifies “Cole harber” as probably Coldharbour in central London, but this identification is interpretive.

Richard married Abigail, whose birth and death are given in the supplied family material as 1640 and 1716. Family accounts state that Richard and Abigail came from England before 1660, went to Charlestown, Massachusetts, then moved to Flushing, Long Island, and afterward to Springfield Township in Burlington County, New Jersey. These migration details are presented as family account rather than as documented in the cited records.

While at Flushing, Richard received a military appointment. On 22 April 1665, Governor Col. Nicolls of New York commissioned him Lieutenant of Horse. On 9 April 1669, Governor Francis Lovelace wrote that, although he had previously approved Richard for the Company of Foot, Richard had already been enlisted in the horse service and was therefore released from the foot service.

Richard later acquired land in West Jersey from George Hutchinson. The property lay along Annaricken Brook in Springfield Township, Burlington County. The brook and tract are given under several variant names, including Annaricken, Annaniken, Oneanickon, Oneakiekon, and An-na-nicken. J. W. Stockton’s History of the Stockton Family described the tract as more than two miles long and one mile wide and stated that the mansion house of the late James Shreve stood on the site of the house Richard built and occupied until his death. A separate family account says that Richard purchased 2,000 acres at Ocknickon; the acreage differs from the 1,200 acres referred to in his will.

Richard made his will on 25 January 1705/06, describing himself as sick and weak in body but of sound memory. He named Abigail as his sole executrix and gave her his personal estate and the use of his plantation for her lifetime. After her death, the personal estate was to be divided equally among their five daughters: Abigail, Mary, Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth. He provided land for his sons Richard, Job, and John. Richard was to receive 400 acres after Abigail’s death. Job was to receive the plantation, its improvements, and 400 acres after Abigail’s death, subject to a payment of ten pounds to Abigail, daughter of Richard Ridgway. John had previously received 400 acres and was to receive one-third of any surplus found on a resurvey of the 1,200 acres; the remaining two-thirds were to be divided equally between Richard and Job.

Richard signed his will with an “R” mark. William Earle, Thomas Ridgeway, and Daniel Leeds witnessed it. Daniel Leeds later swore that Richard had signed, sealed, and declared the instrument as his last will while of sound and perfect understanding and memory. The will was proved at Burlington on 10 October 1707. An inventory dated 21 February 1706/07 valued the personal estate at £165.17 and included three enslaved boys valued at £50.

Richard died on 25 September 1707. Family material states that he and Abigail were buried on their former property near Annaricken Brook in Springfield Township, in the Stockton Burying Grounds. The supplied will, however, left the place of his burial to the discretion of his executors. Richard and Abigail are credited in family accounts with children Richard, Abigail, Mary, Sarah, John, Job, Hannah, and Elizabeth.

Historical context

Richard’s lifetime included English settlement in New England, Long Island, and West Jersey. The supplied records show him in the New York colonial setting during the 1660s and in Burlington County, New Jersey, by the time of his will. Place names in the family material reflect changing usage: Flushing was formerly called Vlissingen, and the New Jersey tract and brook appeared under several spellings. His inventory’s inclusion of three enslaved boys documents that enslaved people were treated as property within his estate.

Sources & research

History of the Stockton Family, J. W. Stockton. Quoted for the description of the An-na-nicken tract and the site of Richard Stockton’s house.
Will of Richard Stockton, dated 25 January 1705/06; witnessed by William Earle, Thomas Ridgeway, and Daniel Leeds; proved at Burlington, 10 October 1707; cited as Lib. I, p. 187.
Inventory of Richard Stockton’s personal estate, dated 21 February 1706/07; made by Hananiah Gaunt and Mat. Champion.
Journal of John Bowne, 1650–1694. Quoted for the reference to Richard Stockton’s uncle Thomas Stockton, a “docker of fisick” living in “Cole harber” in or near London.
Bio by Jerry Stockton.
Jerry J. Stockton, comment dated 8 January 2016 at 6:51 PM.
Family links and burial information supplied in the original family-tree notes.