source: F-A-G member Tpeterson (47882024)
Mother was Priscilla Holt Balch, 1st wife of Hart Balch.
Joel's 2nd wife, Abigail Joy Edwards Balch; 3/9/1786 Johnston, R.I. - 1/12/1852 Andover, VT; married 2/6/1812; place of burial unknown
=====
source: Vermont, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, Windsor Andover, VT
pg. 203
Middletown Cemetery
BALCH, Joel Esq., died Oct. 27, 1845, aged 74 yrs, 8 mos & 21 days.
(NOTE: although these records state he was 74 yrs when he died, the gravestone clearly says 72 years. His birthdate is calculated based on the gravestone.)
=====
source: The local history of Andover, Vermont, by Hiland H. Gutterson, ... Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890.
pg. 34 & 35

JOEL BALCH
the oldest son of Hart Balch, acted a somewhat prominent part for many years in the town, serving in almost every position of public affairs. He represented the town many years in the Legislature, being first chosen when Andover and Weston sent a Representative jointly, alternating every 2 years, by common consent. He procured the entire separation and representation from each town.

Esquire Balch, (his common name) was a man of vigorous mind and positive will and character, but generous and considerate towards others, so long as they accorded with his views and sustained a good reputation. He always regretted a deficient education, and was cautious as a prudent man, not to involve himself, where he could not fulfil what was expected of him.

Above all he held a hatred of shams and abhorred innovations, and counseled his children to avoid them. His caution was "not to get on too fast."

One of his sons studied through Adams arithmetic and Murray's grammar, before daring to let his father know of it.

The same son once obtained his father's consent to attend a ball; had engaged his lady; blacked his boots, and was ready to start, when his father learning a merchant in town, was there from Boston, and taking a prominent part in it, sternly forbade his going; he allowed him to go and notify "his girl", but required him to return home immediately, which he did. This phase in his character, resulted from a strict regard of honest men, and a stinted knowledge of what would be proper under a changed condition of things. There was a good deal of the Roman in him.

One of his sons had been sent out to hunt cattle, and induced to go with two other boys over the mountain and get some melons; until near the bed, he never dreamed they were to be stolen. It was Sunday, at mid-day. He asked "what if Mr. Cram will not give us any?" "I guess we shall not ask him," one replied. he hesitated to go farther, but the others laughed at him. The others took each a melon, but he took none. They were seen by the owner; their fathers were notified of it. Esquire Balch wrote a note and sent his son with it directing him to work for the man till he was satisfied, while the father's of the other boys took no notice of the matter. Such characters however exact in justice, do not, for the time, always win esteem, especially from those upon, whom the extractions are laid, but Esquire Balch was more cautious in his demands upon those not of his household. He was a man of good common sense.

He never obtained too much wealth, but always enjoyed a competence, by hard labor and economy, he lived respectably among his neighbors. He died at the age of 73, having been injured by a fall from a building.

source: F-A-G member Tpeterson (47882024)
Mother was Priscilla Holt Balch, 1st wife of Hart Balch.
Joel's 2nd wife, Abigail Joy Edwards Balch; 3/9/1786 Johnston, R.I. - 1/12/1852 Andover, VT; married 2/6/1812; place of burial unknown
=====
source: Vermont, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, Windsor Andover, VT
pg. 203
Middletown Cemetery
BALCH, Joel Esq., died Oct. 27, 1845, aged 74 yrs, 8 mos & 21 days.
(NOTE: although these records state he was 74 yrs when he died, the gravestone clearly says 72 years. His birthdate is calculated based on the gravestone.)
=====
source: The local history of Andover, Vermont, by Hiland H. Gutterson, ... Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890.
pg. 34 & 35

JOEL BALCH
the oldest son of Hart Balch, acted a somewhat prominent part for many years in the town, serving in almost every position of public affairs. He represented the town many years in the Legislature, being first chosen when Andover and Weston sent a Representative jointly, alternating every 2 years, by common consent. He procured the entire separation and representation from each town.

Esquire Balch, (his common name) was a man of vigorous mind and positive will and character, but generous and considerate towards others, so long as they accorded with his views and sustained a good reputation. He always regretted a deficient education, and was cautious as a prudent man, not to involve himself, where he could not fulfil what was expected of him.

Above all he held a hatred of shams and abhorred innovations, and counseled his children to avoid them. His caution was "not to get on too fast."

One of his sons studied through Adams arithmetic and Murray's grammar, before daring to let his father know of it.

The same son once obtained his father's consent to attend a ball; had engaged his lady; blacked his boots, and was ready to start, when his father learning a merchant in town, was there from Boston, and taking a prominent part in it, sternly forbade his going; he allowed him to go and notify "his girl", but required him to return home immediately, which he did. This phase in his character, resulted from a strict regard of honest men, and a stinted knowledge of what would be proper under a changed condition of things. There was a good deal of the Roman in him.

One of his sons had been sent out to hunt cattle, and induced to go with two other boys over the mountain and get some melons; until near the bed, he never dreamed they were to be stolen. It was Sunday, at mid-day. He asked "what if Mr. Cram will not give us any?" "I guess we shall not ask him," one replied. he hesitated to go farther, but the others laughed at him. The others took each a melon, but he took none. They were seen by the owner; their fathers were notified of it. Esquire Balch wrote a note and sent his son with it directing him to work for the man till he was satisfied, while the father's of the other boys took no notice of the matter. Such characters however exact in justice, do not, for the time, always win esteem, especially from those upon, whom the extractions are laid, but Esquire Balch was more cautious in his demands upon those not of his household. He was a man of good common sense.

He never obtained too much wealth, but always enjoyed a competence, by hard labor and economy, he lived respectably among his neighbors. He died at the age of 73, having been injured by a fall from a building.