In the early 1770's, relations between the American colonies and British Parliament were rapidly deteriorating, particularly over taxes. In October 1774, the towns of the Massachusetts Province decided to pay taxes to a Provincial tax collector rather than to the Royal Tax Collector (similar to putting money in escrow during a strike). Henry Gardner, Stow's representative to each of the Massachusetts Provincial Congresses, was elected Collector General for this.

The Stow Minuteman Company was reactivated in 1965 by order of the Stow Selectmen, to "preserve and perpetuate the memory and spirit of our forebears [and] promote an active interest in Revolutionary history."