Future Signers in Edinburgh - The Persuasive Richard Stockton
Future Declaration signer Richard Stockton had attempted to stay out of politics for most of his life.
However, he loved his home of New Jersey and took an active role in it’s higher education.
Stockton eventually knew he had to get involved and sailed to Europe for the only time in his life with two goals…eliminate the Currency Act and persuade someone to become President of the College of New Jersey.
Richard Stockton
In 1766, Richard Stockton of New Jersey sailed for England.
Stockton’s goal was to meet with two people.
The first was Benjamin Franklin.
The second was John Witherspoon.
The Currency Act
Benjamin Franklin is a name most Americans will recognize.
When Stockton arrived, the two men worked together in an effort to get the Currency Act of 1764 repealed.
Although the hated Stamp Act had already been rescinded, the Currency Act forbade the colonies from printing paper money. Stockton and Franklin followed the example set when the Stamp Act was repealed by speaking with influential members of Parliament and, more importantly, London merchants (who were always affected when the colonies were hurting for cash).
Although certain concessions would be made over the next few years, Stockton was unable to negotiate the changes he was hoping for.
Richard left London for Edinburgh, Scotland.
Persuading Witherspoon
Upon arriving at Edinburgh, Stockton sought out preacher John Witherspoon.
Witherspoon had been offered (and turned down) the position of President of the College of New Jersey, a school which we know today as Princeton University. Richard was hoping to get Witherspoon to reconsider and take job.
To help win Witherspoon over, Stockton recruited a young man named Benjamin Rush who was studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
Rush, who graduated Princeton at just 15 and was a future son-in-law to Stockton, managed to assist Richard in his mission.
Despite his wife’s objections, Witherspoon accepted the position and set about relocating to New Jersey.
Reunited For Independence
Unbeknownst to them at the time, these three men would meet in the same room again, nine years later, half a world away.
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon and Benjamin Rush all came together as Delegates to the Continental Congress.
All three signed the Declaration of Independence.
Early New York Rebels are fun to read about.
Here are some more:
John Haring Radicalizes the New York Delegation
Issac Low Organizes the Committee of Fifty-One
Richard Stockton does not have a full biography, but he and all the other Declaration signers can be found in many compilation books.
‘Signing Their Lives Away’ is my favorite of these books. It gives brief, fun accounts of all the signers of America’s founding document.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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