After a short stay in Holland, he settled, with his wife and children, in London, in 1715.
Anthony Benezet having received from his father a liberal education, served an apprenticeship in an eminent mercantile house in London.

In 1731, however, he removed with his family to Philadelphia, where he joined in profession with the Quakers.

His three brothers then engaged in trade, and made considerable pecuniary acquisitions in it.

He himself might have partaken both of their concerns and of their prosperity; but he did not feel himself at liberty to embark in their undertakings.

He considered the accumulation of wealth as of no importance, when compared with the enjoyment of doing good; and he chose the humble situation of a schoolmaster, as according best with this notion, believing, that by endeavouring to train up youth in knowledge and virtue, he should become more extensively useful than in any other way to his fellow-creatures.
He had not been long in his new situation, before he manifested such an uprightness of conduct, such a courtesy of manners, such a purity of intention, and such a spirit of benevolence, that he attracted the notice, and gained the good opinion, of the inhabitants among whom he lived.