Born in Rushden, Northamptonshire, Britton moved to London at a young age and apprenticed himself to a small coal-man (a charcoal merchant) in Clerkenwell.

His concerts became regarded as the premier venue for chamber music in London, with an audience drawn from a wide social strata.

[4] At first, concerts were free, but Britton later requested an annual subscription of ten shillings, considered exceptionally low even at the time.

"[4] Britton's social successes sparked some jealousy, and his concerts were alleged to be meeting places for religious dissenters, atheists, or forums for political intrigue.

[1] In September 1714, Justice Robe, a Middlesex magistrate, decided to play a practical joke on the superstitious Britton.

He employed a ventriloquist named Honeyman to project his voice and tell Britton that his end was near and that he should fall to his knees and repeat the Lord's Prayer.