Evening star., 1930-11-30

to a knowledge of the military exercises, thas
militia. He trained the youths Of his company
they might be ready at any moment to exc
change their books for muskets, and they fol~
lowed him as their captain, always breasting
danger where it existed. The field officers un-
der whom he acted were Maj. Patrick Smith
and Col. Alexander Sommerville of the Mary
land militia. His company consisted of between
40 and so youths. many of whom were larger
than himself. He duty and did service
as captain three years and was in actual serv~
ice against the enemy from December l, IT'S
to December 1, 1777. When the enemy APP
peared on the shores of the Patuxent River and
Chesapeake Bay, he would march out with his
company to assist in repelling them and suf-
fered materially by exposure to the night air in
that unhealthy climate"
The government recognized his services one
year before his death by granting him pen-
sion.
He was not only loyal when it meant much TO
his country, but he came from patriotic and
loyal family, since his brother, Rev. Hezekiah
I BaIch of North Carolina, was one OF those
hnmortals who signed the celebrated Mecklen-
burg Declaration of Independence, in May
TITS, and his name headed the list.
Inside the Swiss Chapel in Oak Hin Genes
terry is a nice mural tablet ordered by Mr.. Corr
coran and mounted on the wall, and bearing
the following inscription in gold letters:
"In honor of EsII
Etephen Boomer Balch, D. D., ISL
Born on Deer Creek near Bait, No. III
April. A. D., 1747. a
Came to Georgetown, d. O., 81
March Is, A. D., 1880. a$tl
Died September %, A. D., 1888. ~
He planted the Gospel in Georgetown.
Founded The Bridge Street Presbyterian
Church.
And was for more than so years its pastor.
In life he practiced what he preached.
No eulogy can add to such record"
DR.. BALcH was married three times and
was the father of II children.
His first wife, Elizabeth, was the daughter
of George Beall, I'd, and he was married to her
June TO- 1881. She was the mother of his large
family of children. In 1927, when in his 82d
year, and after having remained widower for
little less than 16 months, he married Eliza
beth King, who died 18 days later. After watt
ing for two years he tired single life, and IN
his 85th year married Mrs. Jane Parrot, q
widow, who survived him.
His children, who left numerous descendants
were: Harriet, who married James r. Wilson.
and after his death, Gen. Alexander Macomb;
Anna Gilmore, married Capt James Campbell
Wilson; Jane Whann, married Rev. William
Williamson, whose descendants included Joseph
A.. Elizabeth and Jane L.; Joseph A. William-
son. the father of Mrs. Marianne w. MCGOWAN
william b. Williamson ana s. s. Williamson,
and the last named has two daughters, Mrs
Marianne Griswold and Miss Louise Williams
son.
Elizabeth Maria Balch, fourth daughter OF
Stephen Bloomer Balch, married Rev. Septimas
Tustin; Alfred, the eldest son, became . dis
tinguished Judge; Lewis Penn Witherspoon also
assembled the bench; George Ninian Beau, law
yer, was father of Rear Admiral George b
Balch, U. s. N; Franklin died young; Hezakiah
James died in early manhood; Thomas BloomeI
was clergyman. His wife was a Miss Carter
a FIRST cousin of the Confederate leader, Robert
Y. Lee.
The life Of DR.. Balch stands out as q coed
one to pattern from. Well might we take o page
from hts excellent record and bear in mind
what the poet has said:
Lives of great men all remind US
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints in the sands Of time:
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing DER lifes solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwreck'd brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing. /
With heart for any fate, : t
Still achieving, still pursuing, ,u
Learn to labor and to wait"
s5.-
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