Edward was born in the London area around 1700. On 6 Dec 1721, he was arrested for stealing some ribbons. He was tried in Old Bailey court and held in Newgate Prison. His plea was "for I was drunk and I did knew not what I did". He was convicted and the punishment was death by hanging. Instead the judge deported him to the Colonies. He was shipped to the Colonies on the ship, Gilbert. He arrived in Annapolis on 16 Jul 1722. He was indentured and it is believe that Lord Fairfax was the person that held his indenture.

In 1738 he secured a rental of land from Lord Fairfax. The land was in what is now Orange County, VA. Lord Fairfax eventually took this land back and built his plantation, Greenway Court, on this land.

In 1749, he was working as a chainman with George Washington. They surveyed areas of Lord Fairfax. One of the areas was Washington, VA.

He secured another rental of land from Lord Fairfax in Frederick County, VA. This land has gotten the name the turkey track. The rental for the track of land was one fat turkey on Christmas. It is assumed that this was an inside joke between Edward and Lord Fairfax.

Edward died in Frederick county around 1770. His burial is unknown.