Michael Samuel DeBruhl New York Engraver 1759-1763

These notes from the Iconography of Manhattan Island:

Among those who are taking subscriptions for "the Gentlemen and Ladies Military Closet Furniture" is Mr. Michael DeBruhl (DeBruls,) Engraver, at Mr. Futer's Silver-Smith, in French-Church Street" N.Y. Mercantile, March 5, 1759. Between 1759 and 1763, DeBruhl was the chief engraver on copper in New York, Stauffer, American Engravers on Copper and Steel, I 31-33, For advertisements of his work, see May 3 and October 11, 1762, the latter having reference to proposed views of New York

Plans of several of the sites of engagements between the French and English forces
near Fort Niagara, are advertised as "curiously engraved on two large Copper Plates, by Michael DeBruhl, Engraver, and an Inhabitant of this City." DeBruhl himself, is taking subscriptions for these "in the Road beyond the New Goal (Jail), on the Hill, where the above engraved Plates may be seen." N.Y. Mercantile, May 3, 1762. For DeBruhl's proposed views of New York City, see Oct, 11.

Chronology: The English Period 1664- 1763

Michael DeBruhl (deBruls) solicits subscriptions for "Two different Water Views and two different Land Views" of New York City which he proposes to publish. These views will have "References in English, High Dutch and Low Dutch," and are to be "curiously engraved on a Copper Plate, of 21 by 12 Inches each, and printed on best large Paper." There will also be "neatly engraved on another Copper Plate" a plan of the streets" with their respective Names," Along with the prints will be published a pamphlet giving " an exact account of the wholesome climate, pleasant situation, products, etc, of this Province, for the benefit of the Subscribers, which they may chuse either in English, High Dutch, or Low Dutch,"
The subscription price is stated as 20 shillings, One Half to be paid on subscribing, the other Half on the Delivery of these Five Prints." Each Subscriber will "give his Quality and Place of Abode," and subscriptions "will closed on the last Day of January next." DeBruhl's establishment was "at the lower End of New Street, Next door to Colonel Thodey." N.Y. Post-Boy Oct. 11, 1762. In the Expense Account Book
(M.S.) of Cadwallader Colden (preserved in N.Y. Historical Society), under date of October 31, 1763, appaers this item: " paid DeBruhl on Subscribing for 2 Setts of his Plans of New York. L 1:4:0 Da Baumitiere, in his notes on maps, etc.(book 1412 Y, Ridgeway Branch, Library Co. of Philadelphia.) speaks of these views as follows(translated):
"DeBruhl (DeBruyl), a German and good workman but a Mauvais Sujet. undertook in 1763 to engrave some views of New York which he had drawn himself. I saw there (in New York) in that year the plates which had been commenced. He took up a subscription, by the terms of which he was to receive half of the sum ($100) at the time of the subscription, but he kept the money and never finished the work."