thomas mudge was the second son of zachariah mudge, headmaster and clergyman, and his wife, mary fox. he was born in exeter, but when he was young, the family moved to bideford, where his father became headmaster of the grammar school. thomas attended the same school and, when 14 or 15, was sent to london to be apprenticed to george graham, the eminent clock and watch maker who had trained under thomas tompion. graham’s business was situated in water lane, fleet street.