Stephen bought his land lot of 400 acres in Hartford from Samuel Porter on Aug 7, 1761 for 10 shillings ($2.50). He moved to Hartford in 1767. and settled on the south side of the White River. He acquired another 90 acres which he gave to his son, Josiah, on Sept 3, 1782. His third lot of 100 acres he gave to his son, Stephen Jr., on Sept 2, 1784. On Aug 12, 1797 he gave 80 acres, 1/2 of the home lot to the south, the former homestead of Thomas Tracy, to his son Asa.

Stephen served as Town Highway surveyor in 1775, was on the committee to have charge of school lands in town, served on the Committee for Safety in 1776, served as Commissioner of Highways, and was on the Hartford Selectboard in 1780-81. Stephen also served in the NH State Legislature in 1778, '83, '84,'85, during which he was on the Committee on War.

He and his three sons remained in Hartford, VT to live out their lives. Stephen also had five daughter, two named Mary.