My Famous Seventh Great Grandparents

I am a history buff, especially when it comes to my family history. It's interesting to know where exactly "you" came from, what your ancestors looked like, what jobs they had and talents/characteristics you may share. I've also wondered about the story of their travels while coming to America and the life they left behind.

I also enjoy hearing about friend's families of the past and learning interesting tidbits of information. Some stories I have heard are just amazing.

Thanks to web sites such as Ancestory.com and Genealogy.com and family members who share my pastime for discovering long ago, the past (although sometimes limited) is not hard to find.

I was astounded when I discovered a family member was a signer of The Declaration of Independence. In fact, only days ago I found out he was my Grandfather. After researching this further, I came upon an intriguing fact about my Grandmother that is one of the coolest things I've ever read.

I would like to share some information about them with you. I will write more about my Grandfather in future hubs.

Richard Stockton, a longtime friend of George Washington and Rev. John Witherspoon (Grandfather of actor Reese Witherspoon), was born in 1730 to John and Abigail (Phillips), near Princeton, New Jersey. A handsome, eminent law student, graduating in 1748 from Samuel Finley's Academy at Nottingham which later became Princeton University.

After establishing himself as a powerful lawyer, he married Annis Boudinot in 1775, who was a descendant of French Huguenots and former neighbor of Ben Franklin. Also, one of the first female published poets in America (used the pen names "Emelia","Amelia"). Annis' first known publication, "To the Honorable Colonel Peter Schuyler," was featured in The New York-Mercury and The New American Magazine in 1758. Her poems were printed in 1995, Only for the Eye of a Friend: The Poems of Annis Boudinot Stockton by Carla Mulford. She was the author of over 120 poetic works and often wrote to George Washington (a link to his reply is below). Although wanting to continue to write, she stopped fearing impropriety, which was a difficulty to all women poets of her time.

One last achievement, Annis was the only woman honored as a member of the American Whig Society for her contributions during the American Revolution. Her brother, Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress, (1782-1783), signed the Treaty of Paris which ended the Revolutionary War.

Richard and Annis had had six children (two sons and four daughters) and lived in their home Morven.

Link to President Washington's reply:

http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/constitution/1788/stockton.html