Zubly Cemetery in Aiken County dates from 1790 when David Zubly, Jr. was buried on the site. The Zublys were among the many Swiss settlers who came to the New Windsor area in the eighteenth century. It is the oldest cemetery in Beech Island, and in 2007 and 2008, the Zubly Cemetery Association added 4.10 acres of land to the cemetery to act as buffer against future development.
The Zubly Cemetery is listed in the National Register:
Established ca. 1790 by the Swiss settlers of New Windsor Township, the Zubly Cemetery is significant as an example of a typical early to mid-nineteenth century cemetery illustrating vernacular burial customs of the period. It is the most important extant historic resource associated with the New Windsor community, a significant late-eighteenth to early-nineteenth century settlement and frontier outpost in the South Carolina backcountry. Settled in 1737 by prominent families from Appenzell and Toggenburg, Switzerland, New Windsor became an outpost for Indian traders.
By 1750, New Windsor’s importance as a trading center was eclipsed by the neighboring city of Augusta, just across the Savannah River in Georgia, and the township declined further still after the Revolution. The Zubly Cemetery’s earliest marked graves date from this phase of New Windsor’s history. There are fifty-eight marked graves. The oldest marked grave is dated 1798 and the most recent burial is from 1983. Gravestones, most of them marble, vary from table-top tombs and other flat markers to upright tablets and obelisks. The cemetery is enclosed by a brick wall and an iron gate allows access.
Many thanks to Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors for sharing this shot. Bill enjoys the singular distinction of being the only person ever to have visited all 1,400 of South Carolina’s National Historic Landmarks. He has published several helpful e-books which serve as invaluable travel guides to the Palmetto State.
My 5th Great Grandfather, Michael Meyer, was one of three brothers coming from Appenzell, Switzerland in 1737. Each had land grants and settled near Beech Island. Could anyone lead me to other information? Thanks!
Can anyone visit this cemetery or is it private? I am a local historian and would love to visit to photograph the cemetery. I respect historical artifacts and have no ill intentions to do any type of harm to this place or property. If anyone could point me out in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it!
Hello Anthony, we did a little digging and found that it is open by appointment only through the Beech Island Historical Society. They ask that you call (803)-827-0184) to set the appointment. Thank you for your interest in preserving history, we’d love to see any photos you may take while there!
Markers have now been placed for David Zubly and his wife Ann Meyer, both born in South Carolina.
They are now the oldest marked graves in the cemetery, located from written family data and ground-probing radar. They read:
David Zubly
9 Dec 1738 – 11 Jan 1790
Born Purysburg SC
Son of David Zubly & Helena Müller
From St. Gall, Switzerland
Ann Meyer Zubly
31 Jan 1744 – 17 Mar 1795
Born New Windsor SC
Daughter of Ulric Meyer & Cathrin Graf
From Appenzell, Switzerland
I wuld be grateful for the dates of David Zubly, father of John Joachim Zubly. Thank you in advance. Madions Brown, Parkersburg, WV
Here is a website link that might be able to help you with that: http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/wp-admin/index.php#comment-873195
Best of luck!