Michael Samuel DeBruhl 1700-1773

Michael Samuel DeBruhl and his wife Margaret Pring DeBruhl were married in the Parish of Saint Katherine Coleman Anglican Church in 1745 in London, England.
Michael was from the Parish of St. Andrews Holborn in the County of Middlesex, England. He was a Private Gentleman in the Third Troop Royal Horse Guards.
Michael Samuel Born   1700  Saxony Died 1773 New Bern, NC
Margaret Pring  Born   1720 England Died 1784 Georgetown, SC

On May 20, 1749 Michael and Margaret left England with their two children and traveled with General Edward Cornwallis' great expedition to found the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada. The expedition traveled in fourteen ships with 2576 settlers. It was commanded by Captain General Edward Cornwallis. On May 14th 1749 General Cornwallis and his staff sailed from London, England in the Sloop of War Sphinx. The 13 Transports left on May 20, 1749, slowly making their way down the English Channel, calling at Portsmouth and finally setting forth on the long voyage to Nova Scotia, a land almost as unknown as the moon. The transports carried 2,576 passengers. The ship carrying the DeBruhl family was named the Canning. A 342 ton Frigate class warship commanded by Captain Dewar. The ship had been converted to carry passengers and was fitted with a ventilation system that was unique for the times. She carried 190 passengers.
On the voyage, only one person in the fleet died, a small enfant. The voyagers landed in Nova Scotia on June 21, 1749, a date celebrated by Haligonians ever since. During the first year in Nova Scotia, more than 1000 settlers died of disease and exposure. The British Board of Trade and Plantations fed clothed and housed the settlers until they could get the cabins erected and start farming and fishing to survive. The settlers lived on the ships until the houses were erected. The first building erected was St. Pauls Anglican Church. This church is still in operation and is the oldest Protestant Church in Canada.
Michael and Margarets first child born in British North America was named by and for Edward Cornwallis. He was Christened Edward Cornwallis DeBruhl in St. Pauls Church Halifax, Nova Scotia, on December 16, 1749. The Baptismal Font where he was christened is still on the High Alter of the Church.

The DeBruhl's were relatives of Edward Cornwallis. While in Halifax she gave birth to three more children.

The family owned a house and several lots in Halifax. They left Halifax in 1757, and moved to New York City, where they became members of Old Trinity Anglican Church near the present day Wall Street area. Michael was a Silversmith and the leading engraver in New York City. He did engravings of Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Niagara which are in the New York Historical Society. He also did engravings of the City of New York. His home was located at the corner of New and Beaver Streets, near the present day Wall Street section of Manhattan. From New York, the family moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and thence to New Bern, North Carolina. Michael Samuel DeBruhl died in New Bern on April 4th, 1773, and was buried in Christ Church Anglican cemetery. His funeral was conducted by St. Johns number 3 Masonic Lodge, AFAM at New Bern. Margaret Pring DeBruhl died September 17th, 1784, and was buried in the Episcopal Church of Prince George Winyah cemetery at Georgetown, South Carolina.
Michael and Margaret had eight children, two of whom died in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

W. Goddard DeBruhl: Born August 21, 1747, St. Anns Court Baptized August 24, 1747 St. Andrews Holborn, Soho Square, London, England.

Margaret DeBruhl: Born January 29, 1749, St. Anns Court Baptized January 30, 1749 St. Andrews Holborn, Soho Square, London, England.

Edward Cornwallis DeBruhl: Born December 10th, 1749, Halifax, Nova Scotia.Baptized December 16th, 1749 at St. Pauls Anglican Church Halifax, Nova Scotia. Died June 7, 1821 Camden South Carolina (Camden Gazette)

Michael Samuel DeBruhl: Jr. Born August 15th, 1752, Halifax, Nova Scotia Baptized August 26, 1752, at St. Pauls Anglican Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Phillipa Margaret DeBruhl: Born February 14th, 1755 , Halifax, Nova Scotia Baptized March 21, 1755, at St. Pauls, Anglican Church Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Lucia Elizabeth DeBruhl: Born July 9th, 1757, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Baptized July 17th St. Pauls Anglican Church Halifax, Nova Scotia.

George Ashley DeBruhl; Born April 6th, 1761 New York City Baptized April 12th
1761 at Old Trinity Church, New York City.

Juliannah Charlotte DeBruhl: Born August 9th, 1762 New York City Baptized September 23rd, 1762, at Old Trinity Church New York City.