JOHN TENANT BALCH
was born in November 1760 at Deer Creek, Baltimore
County, Maryland; son of the Rev. Hezekiah and Hannah (Lewis) Balch. Said to have been well educated;
also described as “rough, wild, dissipated, cared neither for God or man.” Served in the American
Revolution and lived for a time thereafter in North Carolina; probably removed to Tennessee at the same
time as did his father, in 1785. He married to Barbara Patton; children -- Ann, Rachel (Mrs. William Motes),
Betsy, Catherine, James Patton, Barbara T., and John Tenant Balch, Jr. He served in the House, 13th General
Assembly, 2nd session only, 1819-21; replaced William Kelley; 14th General Assembly,
2nd session only, 1821-23, replaced Valentine Sevier; 15th and 16th General assemblies, 1823-27;
representing Greene County in all sessions; he served in the Senate, 22nd and 23rd General Assemblies, 1837-41;
representing Greene and Hawkins counties; Democrat.
Died on May 27, 1849, near Dandridge,
Jefferson County.
Bibliography
Sources: D.A.R. Lineage Book, 87, p.45; D.A.R. Rosters and Soldiers, 224; Balch, Balch Genealogy, 375,
377,383,402-403, Temple, Notable men of Tennessee, 369-71; Acklen, Tennessee Records, I, 132.
