He inherited estates including Sutton Court from his father at three years of age.
He matriculated at Trinity College, Oxford and was admitted at Middle Temple, London, in 1688.
[2] He introduced a theory of rock formations known as Stratum, based on a pictorial cross-section of the geology under his estate at Bishop Sutton and Stowey in the Chew Valley and coal seams in nearby coal works of the Somerset coalfield, projecting them according to their measured thicknesses and attitudes into unknown areas between the coal workings.
[4] In addition to his map making and geological interests he had several other publications including An Alphabetical List of the Religious Houses in Somersetshire (1731).
[5] He had married twice; firstly Elizabeth Elletson, with whom he had 18 children (see picture of 8 of them)[6] and secondly Christina Staveley, with whom he had a further one child.