HOW JOHN JACOB ZUFALL CAME TO AMERICA He was born Johann Jacob Zufall on January 16, 1730
at Obervorschutz, Hesse. He was the son of Johannes Zufall a pastor at Obervorschutz from 1720-1732. 
Johann matriculated at Marburg University April 30, 1753. He also matriculated in 1764, at the 
"Gymnasium Illustre" in Bremen: "Joh. Jacob Zufall, Obervorschutza-Hassus, S.M.C." (Sancti Ministerii
Candidatus). He was one of four candidates for the Pennsylvania service to present themselves to the Holland
fathers in May 1765, the others being Frederick Berger, Frederick Henop, and Nicholas Pomp. Examined and
ordained May 27, 1765. Arrived in Philadelphia September 1765. At a special coetus meeting held in October,
from which he was absent because of illness, his call to the Tulpehocken charge was confirmed. 

Began serving five congregations: the two Tulpehockens (1765-1767), Tolpehil (1765-1767), Kimmerling's
(1765-1767), and Millbach (1765-1767). Already in 1766 there were complaints about his ministry, and
apparently they were satisfactorily dealt with. But complaints about his excessive drinking reoccurred.
Upon investigation, the officers of coetus found them to be justified and reported to the 1767 coetus that Zufall
was leaving Tulpehocken to accept the pastorate of the second Philadelphia congregation (St. George's). Coetus
then adopted unanimously a resolution that Zufall, "on account of his intemperate habits and the acceptance of a
call to a quarrelsome congregation which has never belonged to Coetus, can no longer be regarded as a member
of Coetus, but is herewith excluded from the same totally and for all time." (MC, pp. 252-253) 

Served St. George's, Philadelphia, briefly in 1767-1768. On August 12, 1767 he presented his credentials to the
Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, which had already taken his congregation under its jurisdiction. The presbytery
decided to accept him as a member. The relationship thus established was a fleeting one. A year later, Zufall
complained that St. George's had not paid his promised salary and asked the presbytery to help in obtaining what
was due him before he left the parish. The presbytery summoned representatives of the congregation, urged strongly
that they meet their obligations, and then terminated their relationship with it. The name of Zufall disappears from
the minutes at this time. 

Returned to the area of his first call and served Kimmerling's (1768-1769), Heidelbergtown or Schaefferstown
(1768-1769), Tolpehil (1769), and Jonestown (1769). Married March 20, 1769, Veronica Brunner. According to the
coetus minutes of September 1769, his wife by that time had already left him. Made entries in the Hanover register
in 1771-1772. No one yet knows what happened to Jacob Zufall after 1772. 

Sources: HM, pp./ 120-122; MC; Minutes of the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, August 12, 1767, August 4,
1768, August 5, 1768, pp. 51, 59-60, Presbyterian Historical society; Guy S. Klett, Presbyterians in Colonial
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, 1937), pp. 227-228.