In 1815, he was appointed postmaster, serving through April 1818, and returning to office from November 1821 through February 1841. He also served as tax collector, and, from 1823 through 1826, was judge of the Middlesex County Court. He favored Thomas Jefferson in the presidential race of 1800, and thus became an enemy of the local Federalists, who wanted the social order to remain as it was: dominated by the Congregational Church. For over a century, one had to be a member of that church in order to hold public office in Connecticut. Stow's convictions that the church should not be the center of the government led him to take an active role in Connecticut's constitutional convention in 1818. He wrote Article Seven of the state constitution, making it a matter of personal choice as to which church a person could join. When he was branded an "infidel" by a newspaper editor, Stow filed a libel suit against the paper. At the trial, even his brothers and sisters labeled his behavior "ungodly". He did win his suit, but continued to be criticized for such things as bringing ministers of other denominations to preach at Middlefield's Congregational Church. Stow was an active and dedicated member of the Universalist Church of Middletown, Connecticut. Stow died October 10, 1842, aged 80, and was buried in the "Old Cemetery" in Middlefield. An obelisk memorial was erected there with the epitaph: Author of the Article securing religious freedom in the Constitution of his native State. To every species of tyranny and despotism a constant and indomitable foe. Now rest in peace for the impartial page, Shall greet thee as an honor to our age, Long in these climes thy memory shall remain And still new tributes in new ages gain. Personal life and family His ancestor, John Stow, was born in Kent County, England, and emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 aboard the Elizabeth. His ancestors included the first minister in Middlefield, Connecticut, a Congregationalist. His younger brother, Silas Stow, served in the United States House of Representatives, and his nephew, Alexander W. Stow, was the 1st Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Joshua Stow married Ruth Coe in 1786; they had at least three children. References Further reading Summit County, Ohio American Universalists People from Middlefield, Connecticut American people of English descent Tax collectors 1762 births 1842 deaths Members of the Connecticut