"Born in the parish of Kirklinton, Cumberland, July 7, 1673, of parents who were members of the Society of Friends. In 1688, he came to London, and was apprenticed to Henry Aske, Clockmaker, July 2 in that year. During his apprenticeship he made the acquaintance of the family of the celebrated Thomas Tompios, Watchmaker, of Fleet Street, who ultimately received him into his employ. He married Elizabeth the daughter of Tompion's brother James, and at his master's decease in November, 1713, succeeded to the business.