He graduated at the University of Edinburgh in 1705, but being disinclined to the Ghurch for which he was intended, he proceeded to London where he embraced the profession of Bledicine. He immigrated to Philadelphia in 1710, "a mere scholar and stranger in the world." He returned, however, to London in 1715, where he formed an acquaintance with some of the most distinguished literary characters of the day, and in the course of the following year married Alice Ghristie, daughter of a Clergyman at Kelso, Scotland. The troubles prevailing at this time could not but indispose liim to remain in his native land, and he came back to Philadelphia in which city he practised his profession for some time. In 1713, he visited New York, where he made the acquaintance of Governor Hunter, who was so favourably impressed by his conversation and solid acquirements that he became his patron, and invited him to settle in liis government, and appointed him Surveyor general of the Colony. In 1720, he procured a grant of two thousand acres of land, in what is now the town of iVIonlgomery, Orange Co. to Avhich was added shortly after, another of one thousand acres. He was called to his iVIajesty's provincial Council in 1722, by Gov. Burnet & in this position aided most efficiently in securing the Indian trade to New York. At this period the trade with the distant Indians was carried on through Canada which obtained its supplies from Great Britain thro' certain merchants at Albany. To exclude the French from this trade was a prominent part of Burnet's policy, and with that view he obtained a law from the legislature prohibiting the circuitous trade under the severest penalties. Through the influence of London merchants and the intrigues of other interested parties this act was repealed in England.