The name Stockton has been around Jacksonville since 1870. Born in Quincey, Florida, Telfair Stockton’s ancestry dates to 1656 when the founder of that branch of the family came to America from England. His ancestors include Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; a representative in the Continental Congress; two members of the United States Senate, and other prominent men. Telfair was the son of Col. William Tennant Stockton, a graduate of West Point and a Confederate veteran. In 1885, Telfair married Florence Orlean Fitch.
Telfair Stockton founded the real estate company, Telfair Stockton & Co., in 1884. He built the building where the telephone exchange, first telegraph office and first newspaper to carry telegraph news, was housed. He sold land where the three national banks in Jacksonville were built. Stockton also sold the land to the railroads where the Jacksonville Terminal Station was built.
In 1906, Stockton began the development of Springfield, then in 1920, the neighborhood of Avondale and in 1925, the neighborhood of San Marco, which at that time was an abandoned brickyard. In the entire business area, his company had handled one or more of the real estate transactions.
Stockton was also busy with arranging for the welfare of the soldiers who were stationed here during the Spanish American War in 1898. He was also among the first citizens active in the relief work needed for the city after the Great Fire of 1901.
In 1917, Telfair Stockton was elected as a member of the lower house of the Florida Legislature. He was largely responsible for the first bridge across the St. Johns River. Telfair Stockton died in 1932.
At 6:45 p.m. on November 23, 1944, to honor this man, the Liberty Ship SS Telfair Stockton was launched on the banks of the St. Johns River. Mrs. Frank Rogers christened her father’s ship. During the ceremony, James C. Merrill, president of the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company, said, “The SS Telfair Stockton had been completed for launching faster than any ship built in the yard. “Four of our previous ships were launched in 33 days after keel laying and 10 have been launched in 35 days or less,” he was quoted as saying. “The keel of this ship was laid on October 24, and we are launching her this afternoon, 30 days later.”
Delivering the principal address, Raymond D. Knight, prominent Jacksonville attorney and friend, eulogized Telfair. Stockton. All members of the Board of Realtors were present, as Stockton was the first president of the Jacksonville Board of Realtors. On this crisp day in November, Knight ended with these words, “Long live this ship which is to bear the name of Telfair Stockton. Long live his name.” The photo above shows the guests taking part in the launch. The young boy in the photo, James R. Stockton, Jr., was the grandson of Telfair Stockton. James R. Stockton, Jr. passed away August 16, 2025.
Nancy Gandy | Merrill House Museum Coordinator