Thomas Britton (1644-1714) known as the musical coalman, held weekly musical concerts for 36 years in the loft above his repository beside the Old Jerusalem Tavern in Jerusalem Passage (corner of Clerkenwell Green and Aylesbury Street) where there is a plaque. This long, low room accessed by crawling up outside stairs attracted high society audiences entertained by famous musicians, including Handel on the harpsichord and Britton himself had a fine singing voice. He studied science and the occult collecting many rare books on these subjects.

• Keywords
  PORTRAITS, GEORGIAN PERIOD, MUSICIANS, COAL TRADE, CONCERTS
• Geographical keyword
  JERUSALEM PASSAGE, CLERKENWELL
• Persons keyword
  Thomas Britton