Richard Stockton – Constitution Signer and a Basking Ridge Brother In Law

Elias Boudinot and Richard Stockton – American patriots and family. Source: AI

Suppose you have the chance to visit Basking Ridge, New Jersey’s Ross Farm for an outdoor concert or to help out in the giving garden, remember this story about the historic Boudinot (Boo-DE-Know) family estate on the hill and their ties to another New Jersey patriot, Richard Stockton, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Five NJ Signers of the Declaration of Independence – Of the five New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence, only one, Richard Stockton, was captured and imprisoned by the British.

The inner circle of Revolutionary-era advocates and their families in New Jersey were profoundly interconnected, with familiar names recurring frequently. Whether one was a farmer or a lawyer, an aristocrat or a member of a modest household, their paths often crossed—they met, mingled, courted, and married within the same tight-knit circles. This is one such story.

Richard grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, at the historic home known as Morven. His father built this landmark home, which would later become Richard Stockton’s primary residence. Morven still stands today and is now a museum and National Historic Landmark. Richard married Annis Boudinot in 1757, who, along with her brother Elias Boudinot, was studying law under Richard Stockton, her future brother-in-law, as the Boudinots were also living in Princeton at the time.

Richard Stockton, Elias’s legal mentor, was a prominent Princeton lawyer and future signer of the Declaration of Independence. Elias was no slouch either. Elias Boudinot was also a pivotal figure in the founding of the United States, making significant contributions to its political, legal, and humanitarian foundations. He served as President of the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1783, guiding the nation during the final phase of the Revolutionary War and overseeing the formal end of hostilities with Britain. As a U.S. Congressman from New Jersey from 1789 to 1795, he helped shape the framework of the new federal government under the Constitution. Appointed by President George Washington, he served as Director of the U.S. Mint from 1795 to 1805, helping to stabilize the young nation’s financial system.

Stockton Marries Boudinot TWICE!

History always seems to throw a twist every once in awhile and this was a great find. A double sibling marriage connected the Boudinot and Stockton families — each sibling marrying the other family’s sibling — a close-knit bond between two influential Revolutionary War-era families in New Jersey.

Robert Stockton Marries Annis Boudinot in 1757 (Richard was 27 – Annis was 21)
Elias Boudinot Marries Hannah Stockton in 1762 (Elias was 22 – Hannah was 26)

Richard Stockton likely met Annis Boudinot through family and social circles in colonial New Jersey, as both the Stockton and Boudinot families were prominent and closely connected within the region’s legal, political, and religious communities. Their acquaintance may have deepened during visits between their families or through shared involvement in Presbyterian church life and civic affairs in Princeton.

Richard Stockton and Annis Boudinot were married in 1757, most likely in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or in nearby New Jersey—possibly in Princeton, where both families had strong ties. Although the exact location of their wedding is not definitively recorded, the Boudinot family had a residence in Philadelphia at the time, and Annis’s brother, Elias Boudinot, was born there.

An artistic AI interpretation—a fictional double portrait showing Annis Boudinot alongside Richard Stockton. There is no known historical painting of them together.

Stockton’s Morven Estate – Princeton, New Jersey

Annis and Richard named their home Morven, located in Princeton, New Jersey. Annis called it after the legendary Scottish King Fingal’s home. Their marriage marked the beginning of a strong personal and intellectual partnership, with Annis becoming a respected poet and patriot hostess during the American Revolution. They had several children: Julia born in 1759, twins Mary and Susan in 1761, John Richard in 1764, Lucius Horatio in 1768, and Abigail in 1773. Their daughter Julia married Dr. Benjamin Rush, another signer of the Declaration of Independence. Annis became known as the “Duchess of Morven,”

Annis Boudinot Stockton was also elected as the only women as an honorary member of the American Whig Society, a secret revolutionary group.

Elias Boudinot and Hannah Stockton

Elias Boudinot, Annis Boudinot’s younger brother, married Richard Stockton’s sister Hannah in 1762, when he was 22 and she was 26. So, from the time they met to the time they married, it was likely less than a year, perhaps just a few months. Their courtship would have developed quickly, which was not uncommon at the time, especially within tight-knit, socially connected families like the Stocktons and Boudinots.

An artistic AI interpretation—a fictional double portrait showing Hannah Stockton alongside Elias Boudinot. There is no known historical painting of them together.

Boudinot Estate Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Elias Boudinot and Hannah Stockton married in Westfield, New Jersey, in 1762, likely due to family and religious connections centered around the First Presbyterian Church of Westfield, which was an important spiritual and social hub at the time. At the time of the marriage, the Stocktons were based in Princeton and the Boudinots in Elizabeth (then known as Elizabethtown). Westfield was conveniently located between the two towns, making it a logical and central gathering point for both families.

Hannah Stockton Boudinot’s Ties to Basking Ridge

Hannah and Elias would later move out of Elizabeth to Basking Ridge and purchase the Lewis Estate, located just off North Finley Avenue, now known as the Ross Farm. In 1771, the 102-acre colonial-style farmstead on North Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge was owned by Edward Lewis Sr., a member of the local Presbyterian church. The house was already standing at the time and was not built by Boudinot himself, and became their primary residence until around 1795, after which they spent more time in Elizabeth and Philadelphia.

Left: Westfield Presbyterian Church, where Elias and Hannah married, and their later home in Basking Ridge (Right) are part of the Mr. Local History Cat’s Meow historic village collection. History on the back.

British Capture Richard Stockton after Signing Declaration

Richard Stockton’s offense, from the British perspective, was his bold defiance of the Crown as a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a delegate to the Continental Congress, marking him as a prominent rebel and a high-value target. In late 1776, after a Loyalist informant disclosed his whereabouts, Stockton was captured at the home of John Covenhoven in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and imprisoned in New York City’s Provost Prison, where brutal conditions permanently damaged his health.

New Jersey First Continental Congress delegates – After signing the Declaration, Stockton was captured by the British during the Revolutionary War, imprisoned, and had his property plundered. His health suffered due to mistreatment while imprisoned, and he died relatively young in 1781.

Richard Stockton was captured by the British in November 1776 in Monmouth County, New Jersey, at the home of his friend John Covenhoven and remained imprisoned for about five weeks. He was released on parole on January 13, 1777. His health was significantly impaired due to the harsh conditions of his imprisonment. During his imprisonment, Stockton was kept in the Provost Prison in New York, where he was subjected to starvation and freezing temperatures.

When Richard Stockton was captured, his brother-in-law, Boudinot, already a prominent patriot with strong ties to the Continental Congress and military leadership, quickly acted to help him. Boudinot used his growing legal and political influence to advocate for Stockton’s humane treatment as a prisoner of war. Although no definitive records prove that he directly secured Stockton’s release, his involvement behind the scenes was likely instrumental. His efforts reflected not only a deep sense of family loyalty but also anticipated his later service as Commissary General of Prisoners, where he championed the fair and ethical treatment of captives during the Revolutionary War.

Later Life

Following his brother-in-law’s death, Elias’s public career accelerated. In 1782, he was elected President of the Continental Congress, serving during the final phase of the Revolutionary War and overseeing the formal end of hostilities with Britain. He later served as a U.S. Congressman from New Jersey (1789–1795) and helped shape early federal policies under the new Constitution. He was also appointed Director of the U.S. Mint in 1795 by President George Washington, a post he held for a decade. Beyond politics, Elias was a founding trustee of the American Bible Society and a strong advocate for education, religious liberty, and Native American rights.

Elias and Hannah would have one daughter, Susan Vergereau Boudinot, born in 1764. She married William Bradford, who became Attorney General of the United States under President George Washington.

More Interlinked Independence Players in and around Basking Ridge

The people involved in the fight for independence were all over the Basking Ridge area during the Revolution. Washington, Greene, Madison, Hamilton, Boudinot, Morton, and Richard Stockton spent time crossing Basking Ridge at some point during the war.

Besides a lifelong friendship, Alexander Hamilton and Elias Boudinot often crossed paths professionally. Both were lawyers, though in different states. During the war, Boudinot and Hamilton collaborated on prisoner exchanges and exchanged letters related to the war while Boudinot was in Congress. When Hamilton served his first term in Congress (1782-1783), Boudinot was serving as its President. Boudinot also served as the third Director of the US Mint, which Hamilton helped establish.