On the death of John Fothergill, in 1780, Anthony moved to London, and established himself in the house in Harpur Street, Red Lion Square, formerly occupied by his namesake, in the hope of succeeding to his professional business.

[1] In 1803 he retired from active life, and went to Philadelphia in the US, where he lived for some years, and where he apparently intended to pass the rest of his days, but was recalled to England by the prospect of war in 1812, and died in London 11 May 1813.

By his will he left a considerable part of his large fortune to charitable institutions in London, Bath, and Philadelphia.

His will also set aside £1,000 to publishing his works: the editing and selection he desired to be undertaken by his friend Dr Lettsom.

But he was best known for his researches and publications on the methods of restoring persons apparently dead from drowning; for his essay on this subject he received, in 1794, a gold medal from the Royal Humane Society.