His first published work (1815) was a History of Northampton & its vicinity, and he helped Baker in compiling his history. He published many works dealing with local matters; as a bookseller he did not make much headway.

He was in business at Lincoln, Scarborough, Hull and then returned to Northampton where he opened a Shop on the Market Square adding to his income by lectures on natural philosophy. He was however, forced to make a composition with his creditors. Later he opened a small school at Wellingborough where he placed geological specimens as well as such incongruous things as apples and bacon in his window for sale. From Wellingborough he went to Ringstead & eventually died at Woodford in 1843. He was an Antiquary by nature and as a bookseller, schoolmaster & lecturer he was equally a failure.