Zubly, John Joachim (1724-1781)

Dr. John Joachim Zubly was born in St. Gaul, Switzerland, August 24, 1724. His father emigrated to Carolina with his family in 1726. John was taken back to Europe, educated at Halle, ordained at Chur in 1744 and then returned to America. His first charge was in Pennsylvania, but the location is unknown. In 1754 his was in Charleston, SC and in 1758 he was in Savannah, GA. A Doctor of Divinity degree was conferred upon him in 1770 by the College of New Jersey. In 1775 he was a member of the Continental Congress, at which time he appealed to the Earl of Dartmouth on behalf of the "Liberties in America." In 1776 he returned to Georgia to use his influence to oppose the separation from England that was being discussed in Congress. His popularity waned and in 1777 he was banished from Savannah, losing half of his estate. He found refuge in South Carolina and remained there until the royal government was re-established in Georgia in 1779. He resumed his ministry in Savannah and lived there until his death July 23, 1781. Sources Fathers of the Reformed Church, p. 380; Dubbs' Historic Manual, p.211, 235 ff.