Hezekiah Balch

Hezekiah James Balch (1745 - 4/1776) was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence. Balch, like many other signers, was born in Maryland. He moved to this area with his family and moved north to pursue an education. He became a Presbyterian minister, who graduated from Nassau Hall, now known as Princeton University, and served at Poplar Tent and Rocky River Presbyterian Church. Neither of these churches is now in Mecklenburg County. Two of his brothers also became Presbyterian ministers. He participated in the Mecklenburg Resolves Convention on 5/31/1775. Balch was the first of the signers to die - less than one year after the occasion. He is buried in Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church's cemetery.

Documentation

(1) King, Victor C. Lives and Times of the 27 Signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775. Charlotte, NC, 1956.