John Witham "The Landowner" Stockton "Judge-Princeton University"

John Witham Stockton (1701–1758) was a Princeton landowner, magistrate, Somerset County Court of Common Pleas judge, and trustee and supporter of the College of New Jersey. Family accounts describe him as an important figure in the College’s move from Newark to Princeton. He was the father of Richard Stockton, later a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

John Witham Stockton was born on 18 August 1701 in Princeton, New Jersey. He was the fourth son of Richard Stockton, described in the supplied account as the first settler of the Stockton family at Princeton.

Under his father’s will, John received 500 acres, part of the family dwelling plantation known as Morven. He became a substantial landowner in Princeton and held local public responsibilities for many years. The New York Mercury later stated that he had served as a magistrate for about twenty-five years.

On 28 March 1749, Stockton was appointed a judge of the Somerset County Court of Common Pleas. The supplied account says he was probably reappointed in 1754. The obituary published after his death praised his “Judiciousness, Moderation, and Integrity” in public service and described his efforts to settle disputes, encourage peace, and support morality and religion.

Stockton was an early friend and supporter of the College of New Jersey, later known as Princeton University. While the College was still located in Newark, he was appointed in January 1748–49 to a committee that received subscriptions for its benefit. He served as a trustee from 1748 until his death in 1758. Family and institutional accounts state that he was largely instrumental in securing the College’s removal from Newark to Princeton. In 1754 he offered tickets for sale in the Connecticut lottery conducted for the College’s benefit, and in September 1754 he was among the gentlemen who officiated when the cornerstone of Nassau Hall was laid at Princeton.

His will was dated 9 May 1758 and was proved on 9 June 1758. It named children John, Richard, Philip, Hannah, Susanna, Rebecca, and Abigail. His wife was not mentioned in the will; the supplied account suggests that she may have died before him. Hageman’s Princeton and its Institutions is said to report an additional son, Samuel Witham, but this name does not appear among the children listed from the will.

John Witham Stockton died at Princeton on Saturday, 20 May 1758. An obituary in the New York Mercury, dated 5 June 1758, reported that he died after a painful illness and portrayed him as a devoted husband, father, master, and friend. His son Richard Stockton later became a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Historical context

During Stockton’s lifetime, the College of New Jersey was established first at Elizabeth and then at Newark before moving to Princeton. Stockton’s work as a trustee, subscription collector, lottery-ticket seller, and participant in the Nassau Hall cornerstone ceremony placed him among the local supporters connected with the College’s establishment at Princeton. The institution is now known as Princeton University.

Sources & research

@S12@
The New York Mercury, 5 June 1758, obituary notice for John Stockton, dated from “Prince-Town” 23 May 1758.
Hageman, Princeton and its Institutions, as cited in the supplied notes.