He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and a member of the Whig Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.

They lived in the Kensey Johns-Van Dyke house at 300 Delaware Street and were members of the Immanuel Episcopal Church in New Castle.

During the War of 1812 he was part of the attack on Fort George on the Niagara River and fought at Lundy's Lane.

Several years later, in 1844, he was elected Governor of Delaware by defeating William Tharp, the Democratic Party candidate.

Stockton died at New Castle and is buried there at the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery.