Burton was the second son of George Burton (1685-1758), who held the manor of Burton Lazars in Leicestershire and in 1710 served as High Sheriff of Leicestershire, and his wife Elizabeth Champion (1683-1739). He was born in 1717 and received his education at Catharine Hall, Cambridge, where he graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1736 and Master of Arts
In 1740 he was presented to the rectory of Elveden, and in 1751 to that of Herringswell, both in Suffolk, holding both livings for the rest of his life. Burton took pupils, and generally had three or four boarding in his house for instruction. Number children are known.
Anne"s brother William Reeve, a lawyer in Melton Mowbray, acquired by marriage Leadenham House and its estate.
He died at Bath on 3 November 1791, and was buried in the church of Walcot.
In 1740, by the latter date having become a member of King"s College, Cambridge.
