Sebastian Zouberbuhler

Sebastian Zouberbuhler (c. 1710 – January 31, 1773) was a merchant, justice of the peace, and politician in Nova Scotia. He came to North America to promote colonial ventures, and later became a merchant in Halifax and Lunenburg.

Born in Switzerland, Zouberbuhler came to the Province of South Carolina to survey land for a new settlement. He attempted to attract hundreds of Swiss to this colony, but the Swiss government restricted his efforts. Returning to North America as an agent for the merchant Samuel Waldo, the Massachusetts General Court determined that the two men neglected the German Protestants he helped to settle in present-day Maine.

During Britain's occupation of Louisbourg, he traded goods and invested in the settlement. When Louisbourg returned to French control, he moved to Halifax to continue his business. In Lunenburg, Zouberbuhler was appointed as a justice of the peace and judge of quorum. The community reacted negatively due to his Halifax background, and his unpopularity deepened with his decision to license taverns. The town suspected him of possessing a letter that confirmed that the town did not receive an allotment of supplies, but a subsequent investigation by the town's battalion commander concluded that he never possessed such a letter. He represented the town in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and was later appointed to the Nova Scotia Council. Later in life he acquired large tracts of land and promoted the Church of England.