Biblioteca di un personaggio famosoRichard Stockton

Will; Somerset County, NJ Probate Records (dated 20 May 1780)

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Stockton's house and library were destroyed by British troops in 1776 (info

Will divides Stockton's library between his sons John Richard Stockton and Lucius Horatio Stockton: "Also I give and bequeath to my said son John Richard Stockton the gold watch I usually wear, together with the one equal half part of my Library, manuscripts, and all & singular my office papers. ... I also give & bequeath unto my said son Lucius Horatio the sword I usually wear, the other equal half part of my Library, Manuscripts, and off & singular my office papers ..."

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Mrs. Ellet, in her Women of the Revolution, has given an interesting biography of Mrs. Annis Stockton. She relates, that when that excellent lady heard of the destruction of the library, she remarked, that "there were two books in it she would like to have saved - the Bible and Young's Night Thoughts." Tradition says, that these two books were the only ones left." Quoted in Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington. Philadelphia (1861)

Sir Edmund Saunders, Les Reports du tres erudite...des divers pleadings et cases.... London (1722). Volume I only. Signed "Richard Stockton 1780" on front free endpaper, and "Richard Stockton's" on second (English) title page; with Stockton's bookplate on the front pastedown. Inscribed on title page: "The gift of Richard Stockton Esqr. To his brother Lucius...Stockton March 20 1820." Sold at Christie's New York, 12 July 2008 ($1,500). Auction lot description