[1] On March 17, 1806, President Thomas Jefferson nominated Stephen to serve as United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.
[1][2] He lived in Annapolis from 1817 to 1818, and again served on the Governors' Council from 1819 to 1820, and in the Maryland Senate in 1821.
[1][2] In 1822, Stephen was named to the Maryland Court of Appeals, where he remained until his death in 1844.
[1][2] He was described as a "learned and able jurist" who "obtained a high reputation as a judge".
[1][6] They resided at Stephen's estate, called "Bostwick", in Bladensburg, Prince George's County,[1] and they had eight sons.