Notes for John Balch: John, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Gardner) Balch was born at the old homestead about 1654. No record of his birth has been found, but several depositions among the County Court papers give his age at various times and thus enables the year of his birth to be determined. One of these is as follows. "The deposition of John Balch (son to Benjamin Balch), age 16 years or thereabouts that he saw Wm Barnes, Mr. Thorndik's man coming out of Goodin Lambert house at ye window on ye last day of ye weeke wch was before ye Generall trayning when they trayned at Beverly. Taken upon oath 28 & 9 mo 1670." It was the custom in those days at stated times known as training days to gather together all the militia of the County at one town or another to be drilled. He was married to Hannah Veren, December 23, 1674. She was the granddaughter of Philip Veren of New Sarum (Salisbury), a roper by trade, who came over in the Jmaes from Southampton, and arrived in Boston in 1635, bringing his wife Dorcas and four sons, Philip, Hilliard, Nathaniel and Joshua.
John and Hannah lived to celebrate their 64th wedding day. The farm on which all their wedded life was spent was a portion of the old [Planter's grant. Part of it came from his father by a conveyance recorded April 25, 1692, which recites, "Benjamin Balch yeoman of Beverly to son John, etc., the Country road and the land to be equally divided between my two sons Samuel and John. He was a carpenter or house wright, and also a farmer. He was admitted to full communion, in the first parish church of Beverly, June 2, 1680. March 23, 1686-7, his wife Hannah was Also admitted to full communion. On May 19, 1680, he was made a freeman. From 1682 to 1711 he held office as surveyor of highways, tythingman, grand juryman, sergeant, constable, selectman, ensign, Lieutenant and representative. Just a month before his death, his long will was drawn up and signed. His son Caleb was named as sole executor. It notes minutely the provisions for the widow; and among other privileges it specifies "also the liberty of gathering so many Beans in ye field as she may have occasion of for her own use both for summer and winter. Twenty bushels of good Indian Corn five bushels of malt, two hundred pounds of beef out of which quarter of ye beast she pleaseth to have it. Two barrell of cyder, with apples sufficient for her use, and fifteen pounds of flax from ye Swingle." "To keep for her use both Summer and Winter two cows & four sheep, ye service of my Indian Woman called Quando & ye Privelege of a Horse to ride upon for her necessary occasions." `The will mentions sons Caleb, Joshua, David, Israel, grandson Andrew son of John deceased, daughters Sarah Richardson, Hannah Leach, and grandchildren of his daughter Rebecca Dodge, deceased. Among other things the inventory mentions, 1 Negro man value L95, and 1 old Indian Woman L18. He died Nov. 19, 1738, and his wife soon followed March 7, 1788-89. His estate was proved 11 Dec 1738, but his widow was too feeble to attend the court. Balch Genealogy
More About John Balch and Hannah Veren: Marriage: 23 December 1674, Beverly, Essex Co., MA.209
Children of John Balch and Hannah Veren are:
+Hannah Balch, b. Abt. 1676, Boston, Suffolk, MA210, d. Aft. April 1739, Ashford, Windham, CT210.
John Balch (b. 1654, d. 19 November 1738)
Notes for John Balch: