Joseph Balch

drummer boy in Revolutionary War; clockmaker and silversmith [Balch 60-61: “Joseph, son of Ebenezer and his second wife Lois [Belden] Balch, was born at Hartford Ct., February 16, 1760, and died at Johnstown, N.Y., December 5, 1855. During the revolutionary war he served as a drummer boy. He was a thorough Christian and gentleman. His memory was retentive and he was always abreast of the times. His faculties he retained to the last. In 1794 he settled at Williamstown, Mass., and followed the occupation of a silversmith, and clock-maker, a business he had learned from his father. In 1810 he removed to Johnstown, N.Y., where death came to him while in his accustomed seat in church, Bible in hand, following the scripture reading by his pastor. He was buried with military honors. In 1786 he married Miss Mary Watson by whom he had seven children. Miss Watson was born March 6, 1765, and died February 11, 1844.”]