Richard was a son of John Stockton (1701–1758) the wealthy Princeton landowner who donated land and helped bring what is now Princeton University (then known as the College of New Jersey located in Newark) to Princeton, New Jersey.
Richard was born at the Stockton family home now known as Morven in the Stony Brook neighborhood of Princeton, New Jersey, attended Samuel Finley's academy at Nottingham, which later became West Nottingham Academy, and the College of New Jersey located in Newark, graduating in 1748.
He studied law with David Ogden, of Newark, who was at that time the head of the legal profession in the province.
Stockton was admitted to the bar in 1754 and soon rose to great distinction.
 In 1763 he received the degree of sergeant at law, the highest degree of law at that time.
 He was a longtime friend of George Washington.
His wife was poet Annis Boudinot Stockton, sister of New Jersey statesman Elias Boudinot.
 The Stocktons had six children.
 Their son Richard Stockton became an eminent lawyer and prominent Federalist leader.
 Elias Boudinot was married to Stockton's sister Hannah Stockton (1736–1808).

Stockton initially showed little interest in politics.
He once wrote, "The public is generally unthankful, and I never will become a Servant of it, till I am convinced that by neglecting my own affairs I am doing more acceptable Service to God and Man."
Stockton did, however, take an active role as a trustee of the College of New Jersey.
Richard was a son of John Stockton (1701–1758) the wealthy Princeton landowner who donated land and helped bring what is now Princeton University (then known as the College of New Jersey located in Newark) to Princeton, New Jersey. Richard was born at the Stockton family home now known as Morven in the Stony Brook neighborhood of Princeton, New Jersey, attended Samuel Finley's academy at Nottingham, which later became West Nottingham Academy, and the College of New Jersey located in Newark, graduating in 1748. He studied law with David Ogden, of Newark, who was at that time the head of the legal profession in the province. Stockton was admitted to the bar in 1754 and soon rose to great distinction.  In 1763 he received the degree of sergeant at law, the highest degree of law at that time.  He was a longtime friend of George Washington. His wife was poet Annis Boudinot Stockton, sister of New Jersey statesman Elias Boudinot.  The Stocktons had six children.  Their son Richard Stockton became an eminent lawyer and prominent Federalist leader.  Elias Boudinot was married to Stockton's sister Hannah Stockton (1736–1808).
Stockton initially showed little interest in politics. He once wrote, "The public is generally unthankful, and I never will become a Servant of it, till I am convinced that by neglecting my own affairs I am doing more acceptable Service to God and Man." Stockton did, however, take an active role as a trustee of the College of New Jersey.
Richard Stockton (Continental Congressman)