Earlier, in 1753, he had founded the first free school in Nova Scotia.[2] In 1760, he consecrated St George's 'Little Dutch' (Deutsch) Church - the second oldest church in Halifax,[3] becoming fluent in German as a result. In 1770, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by the University of Oxford.[4] He returned to London during 1771–1772 to collect his degree, but returned to resume his post in Halifax. By 30 October 1776, he was Chaplain to the Royal Fencible American Regiment. He baptised many Blacks in Halifax who arrived after the American Revolution. He also purchased a slaves freedom in 1776.[5][6]
On 13 September 1778, his first wife died, shortly before the 28 November 1778 wedding of their daughter Anne in St George's, Hanover Square.
By 6 September 1779, as a widower, he remarried and continued as Rector of St Paul's Church, Halifax. With his second wife, he appears to have returned to London shortly after 1785, continuing to draw his Halifax salary of £190 pa until he resigned and was replaced in 1791. In June 1792, he was lodging at Mary Riley's, 63 Edgware Road, London, when he was burgled. The burglar was caught and sentenced to death.[7]
Because of his fluency in German, he was reported to have been a chaplain to Queen Charlotte. He remained in London until his death in 1799.
Mary Breynton (CIR 1753–1795), married 19 Aug 1775 Halifax, Nova Scotia to Captain John Watson
Anne Breynton (1755–1829), married 28 November 1778 St George's Hanover Square, London to Francis Perceval Eliot
John Breynton (1756–1843), married 9 Jan 1793 St Mary's Church, Lichfield to Elizabeth Cotton
Henry Edward Breynton (1759–1761)
He married secondly the widow, Mrs Mary Gerrish née Cradock, (18 May 1723 Boston, Massachusetts, United States - December 1806 Lichfield, Staffordshire, England), on 9 September 1779 at Halifax, Nova Scotia, with no issue. She was the daughter of George Cradock and his wife Mary née Lyde of Boston, Massachusetts, and the widow of Joseph Gerrish (Boston, Massachusetts 1709-1774 Halifax, Nova Scotia), whom she had married in 1768 Halifax, Nova Scotia.