He married Eliza Hope and emigrated to South Australia aboard Rajah, arriving in April 1850.
St. George's School, on the north side of Orleana Square, operated on a non-denominational basis in order to qualify for Government assistance; a separate room for girls was added in 1857, and a new school building was erected around 1865.
Under Burton's stewardship the school gained a high reputation and attracted students from far afield.
Two and a half years later Burton resigned from the Department and re-opened St George's School.
The driver of the trap had ignored the signals of the crossing-keeper (a Mrs Cullen) and attempted to outrun the train, or had been unable to bring the horse to a halt.