The Balch Family of America.

During the seventeenth century two emigrants bearing the surname of Balch, settled in the British North American colonies,-John Balch, who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1623, and John Balch, who came over to Maryland in 1658. No connection has been found between these two emigrants, John Balch "of Maryland" and John Balch "of Massachusetts" but inasmuch as they both came from County Somerset, and that several groups of individuals bearing the same surname of Balch were living in several parts of that shire at the dates that these two John Balches came across the Atlantic to settle in two of the English colonies, it is reasonable to suppose that they were kinsmen, though probably remote ones.

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The first emigrant, John Balch "of Massachusetts," who came from Somersetshire to America, accompanied Captain Robert Gorges in his voyage, 1623, to New England. John Balch "of Massachusetts" was born probably before 1600.80 Apparently he was originally a member of the Church of England, but after he settled in Massachusetts, he gave up Episcopacy and joined the local church.81 He settled at Salem, in the field that was soon called the "old Planter's marsh." He was among the original members of the First Church of Salem, was made a freeman of that town in May, 1631, and was one of the five set

80

"In A History of the Balche Family, compiled by William F. Balch, of New York, printed in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register for the year 1855 (Boston 1855, Volume IX., pages 233–238), it is stated that a George Balche was born in Somersetshire in 1536, and that he had two sons, George Balch born in 1577 and John Balch, born in 1579. The latter it is stated in this article was probably the John Balch who came to Massachusetts in 1623, and that the former was the ancestor of the Balches of Saint Audries. From all the records at present known, it is quite clear that the Balches of Saint Audries were not descended from the George Balch said to have been born in 1577, and a careful search of the records of Somerset have so far failed to reveal any record of George Balch said to have been born in 1536 or of his two sons. (In a letter dated at Bridgwater, February 14th, 1905, the Rev. Dr. Arthur H. Powell, Vicar of Bridgwater, says: Concerning John Balch, said to have been born 1579; his brother in 1577; and their father in 1536, we have no evidence.") The Balches of Saint Audries seem to have descended from Robert Balch who was born in 1631, was married in Bridgwater in 1660, and was buried there in 1705. (See ante, page 62.)

44

81 Historical Collections of the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass., 1859, Vol. I., pages 109-10.

tlers to each of whom a farm of two hundred acres was granted January 25th, 1635-6, at the head of Bass River. Three years later he removed to his farm, and lived here until his death in May, 1648.82 He married first Margary and second, Agnes

Patch. By his first wife he had three sons:

I. Benjamin Balch, born during the winter of 1628-9, died after January 31st, 1714–15.

II. John Balch, born about 1630, died June 16th, 1662.

III. Freeborn Balch, born about 1631, died about 1658.

From the eldest son, Benjamin, a large and numerous family has sprung that has spread over the New England and the Northern States to the Pacific coast.83

To this family belonged the Rev. William Balch, who was born at Beverly, Mass., September 30th, 1704. He graduated at Harvard College in 1724, and was pastor of the new church at Bradford, New Groveland, from 1727 for a period of over sixty years. He died January, 1792. Among his printed works there are these two sermons:

82

2 Historical Collections of the Essex Institute, Salem, 1857, Vol. I., page 151.

83 An exhaustive and good account of the Massachusetts family is given in Genealogies of the Balch Families in America, by Galusha B. Balch, M. D.; Salem, Mass., 1897; but the account of the Maryland family given in that book is not accurate.

Concerning the Massachusetts family, see also, First Reunion and Organization of the Balch Family Association, by the descendants of John Balch, one of the " Old Planters" of Naumkeag, now Salem, Beverly, and North Beverly, Massachusetts; 1905.

"Mr. Balch's Sermon at the Ordination of Mr. Benjamin Parker. The Duty of Ministers to aim at promoting, and being Partakers of the Gospel. A Sermon Preach'd at the Ordination of Mr. Benjamin Parker To the Pastoral Care of a Church in Haverhill, November 28, 1744. Made publick at the Desire of the venerable Council (consisting of Eleven Churches) conven'd on that Occasion, and a considerable Number of other Ministers and Gentlemen. By William Balch, A. M., Pastor of a Church in Bradford. 'He stood in too much Awe of his great Master, to fear or know any Man, [in the Discharge of his duty] or to be sway'd by any worldly Considerations. He believ'd firmly, that he must render an Account of his Conduct at the Day of Judgment, and wisely resolv'd to act, as that he might do it with rejoicing.' Life of Dr. Gale. Boston: Printed by Rogers and Fowle, for J. Edwards in Cornhill. 1744." The text of the sermon was: "I Cor. IX. 23. And this I do for the Gospel's Sake, that I might be Partaker thereof with you."

"Mr. Balch's Sermon Before the Convention, May 29, 1760. Simplicity and godly Sincerity, in a Christian Minister, the sure Way to Happiness. A Sermon preached before the annual Convention of Ministers, in Boston, N. E., May 29, 1760. By William Balch, A. M., Minister of the second Church in Bradford. Boston N. E. Printed by B. Macom, at the New Printing-Office, near the TownHouse, MDCCLX." The text of the sermon was; "II Cor. I. 12. For our rejoicing is this, the Testimony of our Conscience, that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity, not with fleshly Wisdom, but by the Grace of God, we have had our Conversation in the World, and more abundantly to you-wards."