Daniel Balch of Bradford and Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Daniel Balch Sr. was born in Bradford, Massachusetts, on March 1, 1734, the son of Reverend William Balch of the East Parish in Bradford and Rebecca (Stone) Balch. It is believed that Daniel apprenticed under Samuel Mulliken (1720-1756), where he acquired clockmaking skills. He produced clocks in Bradford until relocating to Newbury in 1756, the same year he married Hannah Clements (1735-1783). His first shop was situated on Fish Street, now known as State Street. In 1765, Newburyport became a separate entity, dividing the two villages. Records indicate that he maintained the town clock of Newburyport from 1781 to 1783. In 1784, Daniel married Judith Thurston (1739-1825) of Newbury. He had two sons from his first marriage, Daniel Jr. (1761-1835) and Thomas Hutchinson Balch (1771-1817), both of whom he trained as clockmakers. After Daniel Sr.'s death on November 30, 1790, his sons continued the business. He is buried at the Old Hill Burying Ground in Newburyport. Notably, Jonathan Kettell, a cabinetmaker originally from Charlestown, Massachusetts, who moved to Newburyport after the British burned the town in 1775, recorded in his account books that Daniel Balch purchased as many as twenty-two tall and shelf clock cases between 1781 and 1792. Daniel may have also trained David Wood as a clockmaker.

Several examples of tall clocks, including some musical and shelf clocks, have been identified. A notable brass dial shelf clock is held in the collection of the Historical Society of Old Newbury. Another example is exhibited at the Cushing House Museum and Garden in Newburyport.