He was the son of Samuel Edwards and Jane (Shelton) Edwards. He graduated from Yale College in 1812. Then he studied law at Manlius, was admitted to the bar in 1815, and practiced there. On May 12, 1819, he married Harriet Bristol, and they had two children.
He was Town Clerk of Manlius from 1821 to 1823. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Onondaga Co.) in 1823 and 1824. He was Supervisor of the Town of Manlius in 1826 and 1827. He was First Judge of the Onondaga County Court from 1831 to 1833. In 1832, he married Julia Gorham (d. 1864).
He was a member of the New York State Senate (7th D.) from 1833 to 1840, sitting in the 56th, 57th, 58th, 59th, 60th, 61st, 62nd and 63rd New York State Legislatures.
He was again Supervisor of the Town of Manlius from 1847 to 1849.
