Rev. Hezekiah Benjamin Balch

Hezekiah Balch - Minister, Educator, Abolitionist

Hezekiah Balch (1741 - April 1810) was born in Deer Creek, Maryland to Thomas and Agnes (Sommerville) Balch. Little is known about his life before his graduation from Princeton (with an A.M. Degree) in 1766. Graduating the same year, in the same class, was his first cousin, with the name of Hezekiah James Balch.

After graduation Hezekiah studied for the ministry in the Presbyterian church. On May 17, 1769 the New Castle Presbytery (serving Delaware and parts of Maryland) licensed Hezekiah to preach. A year later, May 16, 1770, the Hannover Presbytery, of North Carolina, ordained him. In May of 1770 we see Hezekiah petitioning, along with others, for the creation of the Orange Presbytery (North Carolina). Hezekiah served as a minister within the Orange Presbytery from aproximately 1770 to 1774. From aproximately 1775 to 1782 Hezekiah was serving in the Donegall Presbytery (North Carolina) followed by a move to eastern Tennesee where he helped in planting new churches.

from: http://balchipedia.wikidot.com/hezekiabalch