When I left Mr.Bates, I went down to my father: where, by the assistance of him and my uncle John, and some other relations, I got forty pounds, and a promise of thirty pounds a year to maintain me at Leyden: there I studied physic two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages.
Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master, Mr.Bates, to be surgeon to the Swallow, Captain Abraham Pannel, commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage or two into the Levant, and some other parts.

When I came back I resolved to settle in London; to which Mr.Bates, my master, encouraged me, and by him I was recommended to several patients.

I took part of a small house in the Old Jewry; and being advised to alter my condition, I married Mrs.Mary Burton, second daughter to Mr.Edmund Burton, hosier, in Newgate-street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for a portion.
But my good master Bates dying in two years after, and I having few friends, my business began to fail; for my conscience would not suffer me to imitate the bad practice of too many among my brethren.

Having therefore consulted with my wife, and some of my acquaintance, I determined to go again to sea.

I was surgeon successively in two ships, and made several voyages, for six years, to the East and West Indies, by which I got some addition to my fortune.