Thomas, the famous musical small-coal man, was born at Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire. He served his time in London, where he set up in a stable, next door to the little gate of St John of Jerusalem, on Clerkenwell-green, which he converted into a house. Here getting acquainted with Dr Garrenciers, his near neighbour, he became an excellent chemist, constructing a moveable laboratory which was much admired by all who saw it. His skill in music was nowise inferior to that in chemistry, either in the theory or practice; he had for many years a well-frequented musical club, meeting at his own little cell; and was as well respected as known by persons of the first quality; being, above all, a valuable man in his moral character. In Ward's account of clubs, we are told that "Britton's was first begun, or at least confirmed, by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a very musical gentleman; and that the attachment of Sir Roger and other ingenious gentlemen, lovers of the muses, to Britton, arose from the profound regard he had in general to all manner of literature. It is observable, that this meeting was the first of the kind, and the undoubted parent of some of the most celebrated concerts in London. Ward, who was his contemporary, says, that at the first institution of it, his concert was performed in his own house, which is thus described. "On the ground floor was a repository for small coal: over that was the concert room, which was very long and narrow, and had a ceiling so low, that a tall man could but just stand upright in it. The stairs to this room were on the outside of the house, and could scarce be ascended without crawling. The house itself was very old and low built, and in every respect so mean as to be a fit habitation..."

in Ancient Geography, a town of Gallia Belgica, on the river Isara or Oyse; now Pont-ouye.