Among the prospective attorneys who studied law under Martindale's tutelage was Silas Wright.[2] Martindale was Surrogate of Washington County from 1816 to 1819, and District Attorney from 1821 to 1828.
Martindale was elected as an Adams-Clay Federalist to the 18th, re-elected as an Adams man to the 19th and 20th, as an Anti-Jacksonian to the 21st, and as an Anti-Mason to the 23rd United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1823, to March 3, 1831, and from March 4, 1833, to March 3, 1835.
He was appointed by Governor William H. Seward as a canal appraiser, holding this post from 1840 to 1843.