He was admitted to the bar in 1811 and commenced practice in Erie, Pennsylvania.

He returned to Canandaigua the same year and continued the practice of law.

Marvin was elected as an Adams-Clay Democratic-Republican to the Eighteenth Congress and reelected as an Adams candidate to the Nineteenth and Twentieth Congresses (March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1829).

Devoted his time to developing various mechanical improvements, which he patented.

He resumed practice of law in Ripley, New York, where he died June 25, 1856.