Born on 10 October 1795 at Hull, Yorkshire, England, the son of John Orton and his wife Eleanor. He married on 19 November 1815 at St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, London, England to Sarah Jane Bragg, daughter of Philip Bragg of East Smithfield, London and his wife Jane, nee Dolemore. Was active in the Limehouse Wesleyan Chapel, London. Entered the ministry in 1826 and was appointed to Jamaica, West Indies. At St. Ann's Bay and later at Montego Bay. Imprisoned for preaching the gospel to the negro slaves. On release he returned to England with his family. Briefly to Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, before coming to Australia in 1831. Initially stationed at Sydney, New South Wales. Travelled extensively. Visited New Zealand in 1833. Became chairman of the Van Diemen's Land district in 1835 and lived at Hobart. Arrived at Melbourne on 20 April 1836 per "Caledonia" from Launceston, V.D.L. On 24 April 1836 he became the first clergyman to preach at the site of Melbourne. He returned in 1839 and helped to establish the Buntingdale Mission Station to the Aborigines on the Barwon River. Arrived again in 1840. On 3 March 1842 he left Port Phillip with his family on the "James" for London. Died on 30 April 1842 at sea off Cape Horn, South America.

[marriage record; Sutherland Victoria & Its Metropolis; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 2); British Conference Minutes (1842)]

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