Born in Warrenton, Virginia, Chilton moved to Missouri with his family as a child and attended private school there.

He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1826, commencing practice back in Warrenton.

He got involved in politics and was elected a Whig to the United States House of Representatives in 1842 when he narrowly defeated William "Extra Billy" Smith following a redistricting.

Afterward, he returned to practicing law and was a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention from 1850 to 1851.

This article about a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia is a stub.