Martin Chittenden graduated from Dartmouth College and established himself in Vermont, where he engaged in agriculture and mercantile activities. He held various judicial positions, including Justice of the Peace and judge of the Chittenden County Court. Chittenden served in the Vermont Militia, rising to the rank of major general, and was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives. He was elected to multiple terms in the U.S. Congress and served as Governor of Vermont.

Martin Chittenden's political identity is marked by a blend of Federalist economic advocacy and a cautious approach to military intervention. His commitment to a strong central government contrasts with his reluctance to involve the Vermont militia in the War of 1812, suggesting a calculated balancing of regional and national interests. Chittenden's long-standing judicial roles and legislative service further indicate a deep-rooted engagement with governance, yet his strategic decisions during his governorship hint at an underlying pragmatism that merits closer examination.