He studied law at the Inner Temple, where his name was recorded as John Morland and a note says that he was commissioned King's Attorney in Pennsylvania.
In Pennsylvania, he practiced law in Lancaster County before marrying Catherine Hutchinson around 1738.
[1] In 1744 he was residing in Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
In June 1745 he purchased 116 acres (0.5 km2) on the Frankford Road in Philadelphia County and resided there afterwards.
From 1748 until his death, he was the leader of the bar of Pennsylvania and instructor for future founding fathers John Dickinson and George Read.