Daniel Balch was an American clock maker. He is perhaps best known for his exquisite workmanship, his high quantity of extant samples, and a particular piece that was sold at Sothebys to Leigh Keno for over $55,000.

Daniel's ancestor, John Balch, first came to America in 1623. Not much is known about Daniel Balch's life, but it is likely he was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts

Newburyport, Massachusetts

Newburyport is a small coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston. The population was 21,189 at the 2000 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island...

 in the first half of the 18th century. He signed his work "Dan Balch", and may have spent time in nearby Newbury, Massachusetts

Newbury, Massachusetts

Newbury is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,666 at the 2010 census. Newbury includes the villages of Old Town , Plum Island and Byfield, home of The Governor's Academy , a private preparatory school.- History :Newbury Plantation was settled and incorporated...

. He would later die in Newburyport (1790), and is interred in Old Hill Burying Ground.

His extant work tends to be from the 1760s. In 1789, shortly before his death, he bequeethed his Balch coat of arms to his eldest son, also named Daniel.

Some of his work can be seen at the Cushing House Museum and Garden

Cushing House Museum and Garden

The Cushing House Museum and Garden , also known as the Caleb Cushing House, is a Federal style mansion with fine garden located at 98 High Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts, United States...

in Newburyport.