Since we don't know anything about the father of Christoffe du Breuil, we don't know anything about the relationship of our du Breuils to other du Breuils throughout the world. The name still lives on in other parts of the world.

Several du Breuils settled in the United States, primarily in the areas previously controlled by France, such as New Orleans and St. Louis.

Several du Breuils settled in Canada.  Some were Arcadians deported by the British starting in the 1750s.

There are still many du Breuils in France- so not all of them were chased out! These de Breuils might have been Catholic or might have been Protestants who decided to hang on and wait for better times.

There is a "Chateau du Breuil", which is a winery specializing in making "calvados" (apple brandy). There is also an "Ecole (School) du Breuil".

I have been told that the name is fairly common in France, and that "Breuil" is an old French word for "bois" (wood).

Here are some early du Breuils who might be ancestors of our Christoffe du Breuil:

• Pierre DuBreuil did not subscribe to the order of Charles the Fifth and his death occurred in Feb. 1545.
  [The Huguenot, publication # 10; 1939-1941]
  (Was he burned at the stake?)

For some reason, it strikes me that the name of Christoffe du Breuil might have really been Jean Christoffe du Breuil. His son was named Jean Antoine du Breuil. This suggests that the du Breuils may have followed the Germanic tradition of giving every child the same first name (e.g. John, Jean, or, in German, Johann) and varying the middle name. Also, I happen to know someone in France with the name of Jean Christoffe. I don't know if this will help lead to a research breakthrough or is just a useless bit of speculation.

During the Revolution, the Governor of Maryland issued Letters of Marque and Reprisal "to Francis Charles Dubreuil Commander of the Schooner Necessity 45 Tons burthen navigated by 8 Men mounting 4 Carriage Guns belonging to Mess^rs Verdue Karloguen Payan & C^o of Cadiz." [Maryland Archives]

Here is a message that was posted on the internet. One of these du Breuils is said to have fought on the British side at Bunker Hill.

I am conducting research into the Du Drelle/Dubrelle family (Huguenots - spelling probably would have been Du Briel) who escaped to Ireland after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. According to family tradition they - Pierre and Madeleine, and children Maurice, Madeleine and another son - settled in Athlone. One of the sons, tradition goes, was killed at the Battle of the Boyne. The elder Madeleine is reputed to have hidden her jewels in the Shannon River - up until the 1890s that area was known as "Madge's Hole".

A grand-daughter of Pierre and Madeleine - also named Madeleine - married Edwin Clark/e whose family had owned the Irish estates of "Cluny"; (when/where?). They, in turn, had a son Thomas (born in Athlone) who married Jane Jordan (born Abbey Ceil/Ceix). Thomas was in the British Army and a member of the Middlesex Militia (exact record currently unknown) and appears to have been at the Battle of Bunkers Hill. Buried at St Pancras in 1805. Thomas and Jane had 5 surviving children:

i. William (1770-1851, Capt. 6th Foot, member of Middlesex Militia - married Ann Elphinstone of Sowerby, Cumberland - helped the dying Moore from his horse at Corunna, posted to guard Napolean (Nap. died just before the regiment arrived), and reputed to have been at Waterloo; migrated to VDL in 1824 and established the properties of "Cluny", "Mauriceton" and "Hunting Ground" in the Bothwell/Kempton area of Tasmania). His daughter, Ann, married the Hon. William Pritchard Weston (1804-88, son of Surgeon John Weston and second wife Jane Simmonds - related by blood to the Jackson family of Burkes Coloniel Gentry) MLC and twice Tasmanian Premier.

ii. Joanna (1775-? born New York; married Jonathon Nicholls, army surgeon - had issue - son in army, married)

iii. Jane (1779-1867, married Charles Murray (d. 1840), builder, architect and High Constable of Windor Castle and Ethorne Hundreds - issue 13 children, lived in Middlesex)

iv. Mary (married Thomas(?) Bramwell, RN - issue??)

v. George (1794-1821,in Middlesex Militia and Lieut. in 70th Ft - explored Niagra Falls - account of exploration missing. Died unmarried at sister Jonanna's house in London, buried St Pancras - tablet set up by fellow soldiers in the church)

Tradition states that the du Brelle family were of the nobility - Counts! I have tried to verify this without success. I have also been in touch with the Huguenot Society and, while being extremely helpful, they could not find my Dubrelle family. A variety of French and Irish sources (genealogist) consulted have been far from "helpful"!!!. A family tomb is reputed to exist (Dubrelle/Clark?) at Athlone, however I can't locate it. An alternative is at St Patrick, Dublin - still needs checking.

So if any any out there is a descendant - please get in touch with me. The names "Dubrelle", "Madeleine" and "Maurice" are very popular with descendants. Any suggestions or help from any one else would be most appreciated!.

Elizabeth.Milewicz <sociol.utas.edu.au>