When his mother Frances died in February 1706, she stated in her will, and apparently in accordance with her husband's wishes, that she had given him a good education.
[2] Edward became organist of St Clement Eastcheap, in London at the end of 1711, a position he retained for the rest of his life.
He was unsuccessful in his attempts to succeed his uncle Daniel Purcell as organist of St Andrew's, Holborn, on 19 February 1718 and again on 3 April 1719.
[3] He eventually became organist at St. Margaret's, Westminster, on 8 July 1726, concurrent with his post at Eastcheap.
[4] He was buried in St Clement Eastcheap near the organ gallery door, and was succeeded as organist there by his son Edward Henry Purcell (d.