Soon after his marriage in 1748 to Sarah Pennock he took charge of his father's farm, and about that time began to devote his attention to astronomy and natural history, building a small observatory in one corner of his residence.
Snart efter sit ægteskab i 1748 med Sarah Pennock overtog han ansvaret for faderens gård, og omtrent på samme tid begyndte han at interessere sig for astronomi og naturhistorie, hvad der fik ham til at bygge et lille observatorium i et hjørne af ejendommen.