b. September 27, 1798, in New Castle, Delaware. Britton came to Springfield, Illinois, in 1829. He and W. J. Slicer were partners in the real estate firm of Britton & Slicer until its dissolution on December 10, 1838. Britton continued the business alone at that point. John T. Stuart and Stephen A. Douglas were among his references. In 1842, Britton was appointed Sangamon County Assessor. He married D. L. Woodbury at Peoria, Illinois in March 1845. That August he was elected school commissioner for the first time. He was reelected in 1847 and 1849. On December 16, 1846, Britton attended an education convention in Springfield, Illinois. He was appointed to a committee that was to review school laws and recommend changes. Britton attended a meeting about the Alton & Sangamon Railroad and was appointed to a committee to collect subscriptions to the railroad. Britton served as superintendent of schools from 1853 to 1857. On April 18, 1858, he was elected Springfield’s school agent. In November 1859, Britton was elected president of the Illinois Association of the New Jerusalem. In 1864, he moved to Marshall, Iowa.