He was the son of Benjamin Chamberlain (1757–1847) and Tryphena (née Tibbetts, widowed Kenney) Chamberlain. In 1816, he removed to a place then located in the Town of Friendship, about two miles from a settlement which was later incorporated as the Village of Cuba, in Allegany County. The next year, he established a saw mill there. He married Betsey Moore (d. 1845). In 1835, he opened a public house and general store, and was appointed Postmaster of Cuba.