The subject was born in New Paltz, New York, the son of the Rev. William and Tamson (Graves) Stone. From 1821 to 1844 he was one of the owners of the New York "Commercial Advertiser," and used that position to advance several causes in which he took a special interest, among them the Federalist party, the Erie Canal, and congressional emancipation of slaves. He also wrote historical novels and stories and several biographies. He was a member of the N-YHS executive committee in 1823-24 and 1843.