Philadelphia scrivener and public official.

Read law in London. Immigrated to Philadelphia (c. 1706). Deputy Master of the Rolls (1712). Master of the Rolls (1715). Register of the Court of Chancery (1720-39). Recorder of deeds (1722). Justice of the peace (1722). Obtained 1200 acres of land in Gloucester County, New Jersey, where he built a country seat (1737).

Born in London. Married (1) Susannah Fox. Converted to Quakerism under her influence; also had some contact with the Moravians. Married (2) Mary Lisle; five children.