BALCH, Robert (1724-79), of Nether Stowey, Som.

Balch’s great-grandfather had represented Bridgwater 1692-5, as had his grandfather 1701-10. On 11 Oct. 1752 Bubb Dodington, Member for Bridgwater, learned that at the mayor’s feast Balch had been declared candidate for the borough in succession to the late Member, Peregrine Poulett, brother of Lord Poulett. On 13 Oct. he notes that he saw Henry Pelham about ‘this sudden event at Bridgwater’, and that Pelham ‘seemed to be well enough satisfied from the character I gave Mr. Balch’.1Dodington Diary, 160-1. Returned unopposed, Batch was re-elected as a government supporter in 1754, but was defeated in 1761 and did not stand again. He died 15 Apr. 1779.