Timothy graduated from Dartmouth College in 1836 with honors, being elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

He immediately started to study law in the office of his brother Isaac F. Redfield, who was elected that year to the Vermont Supreme Court.

William H. Walker was named to succeed him, and in 1884 he was the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, losing to Justin Smith Morrill.

He was one of the founding directors of the National Life Insurance Company in 1848 and served on its board for forty years.

Timothy Redfield's older brother Isaac (1804-1876) served on the Vermont Supreme Court from 1836 to 1859 and as Chief Judge from 1852 to 1859; he was also a respected legal scholar, writing works on railroad law and other subjects.