As the son of William Purdom, cabinet maker of Kingsland Road, he signed indentures in 1784 to be the apprentice of Thomas Hill (Grimwade p.349-50), Citizen and Goldsmith of Aldersgate Street.
He married Catherine Mason at St Leonard and St Mary, Bromley in 1791; both were said to be from that parish.
The christening of their son George was recorded at St Leonard, Shoreditch in 1793 when their address was Moseley Court Road.
He entered a maker’s mark at Goldsmiths Hall in 1794 as a watch case maker from 22 Golden Lane.
The christening record of daughter Frances at St Leonard in 1799 shows their address as Kingsland Road and of their son Francis later in the same year at the same church shows Socrates Place.
His burial aged 31 years in 1801, late of Essex Street, Hoxton was recorded at the same church.