Van Buren was born on December 5, 1782 in Kinderhook, New York to Maria and Abraham Van Buren. He had no siblings, but did have five children named, Abraham, John, Martin, Smith, and Lawrence Van Buren. Hannah Hoes was his distant cousin, childhood sweetheart and wife. They married in 1807 in Kinderhook. He grew up speaking dutch, since his family only spoke dutch at home. His father was a farmer and a tavern keeper, and Martin worked at his business. They also owned six slaves at the household.
Buren went to Village School, Claverack College, and Kinderhook Academy for his education. He worked as an apprentice for a lawyer and studied