Edward worked for his father when he was young. However, after the middle brother who was apprenticed to John died, Edward went to London in 1773 to become an apprentice mathematical instrument maker with his brother John Troughton. McConnell writes:
Edward nagtrabaho para sa kanyang ama kapag siya ay bata. Gayunman, matapos ang kalagitnaan kapatid na lalaki sino was apprenticed sa John namatay, Edward nagpunta sa London sa 1773 upang maging isang aprentis matematiko instrumento maykapal sa kanyang mga kapatid na lalaki ni John Troughton. McConnell magsusulat: