Born on March 20, 1756, in the Colony of Virginia, British America, Stokes served as a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, from 1778 to 1783.
He was a state's attorney for Rowan County, North Carolina in 1784.
He was a member of the North Carolina Senate from Montgomery County from 1786 to 1787.
[1] Stokes was nominated by President George Washington on August 2, 1790, to the United States District Court for the District of North Carolina, to a new seat authorized by 1 Stat. 126.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 3, 1790, and received his commission the same day.