He was educated locally, and studied law with Francis Thomas of Cumberland, Maryland in preparation for a career as an attorney.
hiː wʌz ˈɛdʒuːkˌeɪɾᵻd lˈoʊkəli, ænd stˈʌdid lˈɔː wɪð fɹˈænsɪs tˈɑːməs ʌv kˈʌmbɚlənd, mˈɛɹɪlˌænd ɪn pɹˌɛpɚɹˈeɪʃən fɚɹə kɚɹˈɪɹ æz ɐn ɐtˈɜːni.