Hezekiah Balch facts for kids

Hezekiah Balch (1741–1810) was an important Presbyterian minister. He is best known for starting Greeneville College in Greeneville, Tennessee, in 1794. This college later joined with what is now Tusculum University.

Early Life and Education

Hezekiah Balch was born in 1741 in Harford County, Maryland. When he was a child, his family moved south to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. A local preacher suggested he attend Princeton. Balch started his studies there in 1758.

In 1766, he earned his Master of Arts degree from Princeton. He was then allowed to preach on August 11, 1768. He officially became a minister on March 8, 1770.

His Work as a Minister

Balch began his work as a pastor by traveling as a missionary. He visited rural areas in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. After these travels, he settled in Greeneville, Tennessee. In 1783, he became the first settled pastor of what is now First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville.

Founding Greeneville College

In 1794, Hezekiah Balch received permission to start Greeneville College. This was the very first law passed by the government of the Tennessee Territory. This happened even before Tennessee became a state!

In 1795, Balch traveled north to raise money for the college. There, he met Drs. Samuel Hopkins and Nathanael Emmons. Balch became a strong supporter of their ideas, known as Hopkinsian theology. This theology taught "disinterested benevolence," which meant putting others' needs and love for Christ before your own. People who followed these ideas were often strong supporters of ending slavery. Balch's connection with Hopkins influenced many Presbyterian ministers in Eastern Tennessee. This influence helped the movement to end slavery in the state during the 1830s.

Challenges and the College's Growth

Balch's strong belief in Hopkinsian theology caused some disagreements back home. Other strict Calvinist ministers, like the Rev. Samuel Doak, did not agree with him. Balch published his "Articles of Faith" in a newspaper in 1796 to explain his views. Because of these disagreements, he was called before church groups many times. His own church in Greeneville even split over these theological differences. This was an early sign of a bigger split that would happen among Presbyterians across the country later on.

Greeneville College is believed to be the first college started west of the Allegheny Mountains. The school's first building was a simple wooden structure on Balch's farm. On February 18, 1795, the college's board of trustees met for the first time. They chose Balch as the college's president. Other important trustees included Archibald Roane, William Cocke, Joseph Hardin, Sr., John Rhea, and future Governor John Sevier.

Starting in 1800, Dr. Charles Coffin helped Balch. Dr. Coffin later became the college's second president. Balch remained president until he passed away in 1810. In 1806, Balch received a special honor, a Doctor of Divinity degree, from Williams College.

Death

Hezekiah Balch was ill during his last years. In April 1810, he became very sick and died. He was buried in Harmony Graveyard in Greeneville, Tennessee.