Stockton, Robert field 1795-1866
Naval officer; born in Princeton, N. J., Aug. 20, 1795; grandson of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; entered the navy as midshipman in 1811; was conspicuous in several of the battles of the War of 1812-15; became captain in 1838, and resigned in May, 1850.
In the Mediterranean and on the coast of Africa he was active and efficient—against the Algerine pirates in the first instance, and the slavers in the second—and in 1821 he made treaties with African chiefs by which was obtained the territory of Liberia (see Colonization Society, American). He also broke up the nests of many West India pirates.
He was among the foremost in advocating steam-vessels for the navy, and the Princeton, built after his plan, in 1844, was the pioneer.
In 1845 he was sent to the Pacific with 1,500 men, including 600 sailors, in a small squadron, and in a few months he was chiefly instrumental in conquering California and forming a provisi
expression to his discontent.
To Longfellow he wrote April 15, 1840, after Felton's engagement for his second marriage: I do feel the desolation of my solitude.
And Corny has left me; I am more desolate than ever.
Sumner was nearly forty when he began to enjoy music; and he seemed, as he said, to have then acquired a new sense.
His sister Julia (Mrs. Hastings) wrote in 1875:—
He was very indifferent to music until the season that the fine opera troupe from Havana visited us, in May, 1850,—the troupe that comprised Steffanone, Bosio, Salvi, Badiali, and Marini.
One evening we persuaded Charles to go. He went and was charmed.
It was a sudden awakening to the delights of music, and he went many evenings thereafter while that company continued to sing.
Marini, the grand basso, gave him especial delight.
When Jenny Lind gave concerts in Boston, in October, 1850, he enjoyed her very much, and kindly took me three evenings to hear her.
Sumner attended on Sundays the morni
7. Francis, s. of Francis (3), grad.
H. C. 1764, was an eminent physician in Brookfield, where he in. Sarah, dau. of Dr. Jabez Upham, 5 May 1768, and d. 15 Feb. 1814, a. 69; his w. Sarah d. at Claremont, N. II., April 1827.
Their children were Sarah, m. Samuel Fiske, Esq., Claremont, N. H., son of Rev. Nathan Fiske, D. D., of Brookfield; Betsey, m. Thomas Haskins of Boston, and d. at Roxbury in 1849; Fanny, m.——Witherell of Brookfield; Mehetabel, m. Josiah Lyon, and d. at Woodstock, Vt., May 1850, a. 74; Francis Augustus, b. 4 Aug. 1782, a merchant at Wethersfield, Vt., 1804, and at Boston about 1810, d. at Newton 7 Ap. 1818; Martha Brandon, m. David H. Sumner of Hartland, Vt.; John, prob.
grad. H. C. 1807, d. at Worcester Aug. 1824, a. 39; George, d. at Brookfield July 1803, a. 15.
Francis, Richard, 4 July 1644, bought of Nathaniel Sparhawk a house and land at the N. E. corner of Holmes Place, being part of the estate recently owned by Mr. Royal Morse.
By his w. Alice, he had
7. Francis, s. of Francis (3), grad.
H. C. 1764, was an eminent physician in Brookfield, where he in. Sarah, dau. of Dr. Jabez Upham, 5 May 1768, and d. 15 Feb. 1814, a. 69; his w. Sarah d. at Claremont, N. II., April 1827.
Their children were Sarah, m. Samuel Fiske, Esq., Claremont, N. H., son of Rev. Nathan Fiske, D. D., of Brookfield; Betsey, m. Thomas Haskins of Boston, and d. at Roxbury in 1849; Fanny, m.——Witherell of Brookfield; Mehetabel, m. Josiah Lyon, and d. at Woodstock, Vt., May 1850, a. 74; Francis Augustus, b. 4 Aug. 1782, a merchant at Wethersfield, Vt., 1804, and at Boston about 1810, d. at Newton 7 Ap. 1818; Martha Brandon, m. David H. Sumner of Hartland, Vt.; John, prob.
grad. H. C. 1807, d. at Worcester Aug. 1824, a. 39; George, d. at Brookfield July 1803, a. 15.
Francis, Richard, 4 July 1644, bought of Nathaniel Sparhawk a house and land at the N. E. corner of Holmes Place, being part of the estate recently owned by Mr. Royal Morse.
By his w. Alice, he had
