A family biography was written in 1958 by Albert ORTON, grandson of Joe & Anne Jane ORTON. This paper was written for the local Grenard Women's Institute, of Medonte Township, Simcoe County, Ontario.  It is called "History of Orton-Brae Farm".  This paper mentions, "soon after they (John ORTON, his 2nd wife, Susan, and his sons James and Joseph) arrived one son (James) left for further adventure and exploration to the north and west. Because of lack of communications contact with this son was lost."

But, on the 15 May 1835, when James was 19, he married Margaret BROTHERSTON.  ( the sister of Anne Jane BROTHERSTON, who married James' brother Joseph ORTON)

James and Margaret's marriage and  the christening of two of their daughters are seen in the Wesleyn church records in Medonte, Jane 1844, and Elizabeth  in 1846, so James didn't leave the area immediately after arriving in Canada.

James may have been a Rebel  

The "Simcoe County Militia: Rebellion of 1837 Muster Rolls and Pay Lists" compiled by Helen A Wanless for the Ontario Genealogy Society show a James ORTON among the members.