RICHARD STOCKTON, RICHES TO RAGS

Born in 1730 to a wealthy family in New Jersey, Richard Stockton studied hard and was admitted to the Bar in 1754,  He was a staunch supporter of Independence from England and although he had close ties to important people in England he remained loyal to the cause of independence.  He returned from a visit to England in 1767 and the next year was chosen a member of the royal executive council of New Jersey.  Then in 1774 he was placed on the Supreme Court of that province.
Not being ruled by selfish interests he was elected a delegate to the General Congress in 1776 and after hearing the powerful argument made by John Adams he cheerfully signed the Declaration of Independence.  Stockton became a prisoner of the British while trying to find a safe refuge for his family and suffered greatly being beaten and starved before being exchanged.  His health was broken.  His estate was destroyed and he was left destitute.  He developed a cancer in his neck and died in 1781 at age the of fifty one....Medicineman!