Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1920-12-23
BALCH Home IS
Oldest IN MASS.
Builder, Among First From
England, Was Champion
of Freedom
OPPORTUNITY
FOR RESTORATION

BOSTON. Mass. Dec 23.-In an
effort to save what ia said 10 be the
oldest house in New England. located
in Beverly, Mass, aid Is being sought
from the thousands ~ descendants OF
John Balch, the original builder and
owner or the house. They are scat
tered throughout the United states.
and several years OF effort on the part
Of the present owners OF the house
and The Society for the Preservation
OF New England Antiquities have
failed 10 locate all OF them.
The house, which was built about
i63S Is still intact except for the sills
and the greater part OF the rafters
About 1880. 10 was enlarged by a
two-story extension. and later the
original cottage was made a full two
stories in height, but with careful
restoration, this unique example OF
"Old Planters" home can be preserved.
Unless the descendants OF the original
owner act Immediately, however, the
house Is likely TO fall into the hands
OF real estate Spectator, who will
modeTnize II. and the house will be
forever lost
The house Is owned by a group OF
persons who bought Il lust before the
war. when the continued existence OF
HE building was In danger. SO eager
are they TO have Il preserved that
they win not only sell It for the orig
inal purchase price OF S3O2j. but will
contribute $1,000 toward that amount,
provided the balance Is raised. II the
money Is not forthcoming 10 assure
The preservation OF this house as a
relic OF early Colonial days. 10 will
be sold 10 the highest bidder. and the
hst opportunity for such restoration
will be- lost
John Baloh. the original owner Of
bhe house. came from Somerset c0un-
s.. England with Captain Robert
Eorges. who was commissioned Gov
brnOr Of New England. Theirs wos
the first col0rv OF settlers 10 come
direct 10 Anne lea from England. as
Me previous sottlers, the Pilgrims
had first gone 20 Holland. Balch was
lmong the original members OF the
hrst church IN Salem, was made @
freeman OF that town IN 1881. anC
Aares prominently in the affairs OF
me time. According 10 earliest rec.
brds the energy and intelligence nec
lssary for the success OF the earl.
kolony was supplied by four OF IN,
yettlers, OF whom Balch was one
rhese four are known as the "QlC
Planters" and the Baich house Is tn
lnly one left belonging 10 one OF them
The Balch family, even in th'
EARLIEST days. stood for the American
deal OF freedom, as none or then
io-,k part IN the persecution or IN
Baptists, the 0uakers or witches, ant
bne grandson OF John Balch was
strenuous remonstrant against suci
persecution. His descendants wer'
lleo among the first 70 oppose IN
british fleet and armies. In the pres
mt generation. the Balch famly mum
bers distinguished ministers, lawyers
rrtists and writer's, and, like the mrs
kaich- many OF them are farmers
The present owners OF The Baici
komestaad have deposited an agree
nent with the president OF the 80
detv for the Preservation OF New
rngland Antiquities binding them
selves 10 turn the house over q
Whatever organization he may selec
tho S9095 necessary for It's purchas
received by their treasurer, WI
lam Il Fndicot, OF Boston, 70 W1loi
Sonfr.lbutions sould be sent. rowan.
rid amount, me present owners WI
rfheeribe $500. In addition 70 Uni
nm however, about s5OOO must %
o,eed n provide for the restoration
md repair OF the house.
T1he val,Ite OF the Baleh home as
Aaiie ~ earlv Colonial days is ines
Enable not only 10 the members Q
he paich family as heirloom Du
n the general public as well. III !
= mo thousands Of Descendants y
ba Ralrh family, however that VI
,resent owners are appealing,
bourh contributions ron all source
ire welcome.