He was born 3 November 1721, entered Merchant Taylors' School at the age of twelve, and proceeded thence (1739) to St John's College, Oxford, as probationary fellow. After graduating (M.A. 1746), and taking holy orders, he became chaplain to the forces, and served with the king's own regiment during the Scots' rebellion in 1746, and afterwards at the Siege of St. Philip's Castle, Minorca.