First Generation  

1. Capt. John Jean Balcom was born on 2 Mar 1700 in Saint Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands and died on 17 Sep 1782 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT aged 82.

Birth Notes: Much of the information in this John Balcom genealogy was transcribed from a document received from Robert Whittaker who can be found in this family tree. The front page of this 15 page document is written: "A RECORD OF THE BALCOM FAMILY 1698 .. May 1946 -- Compiled by the Family THE FAMILY NAME BALCOM IS DERIVED FROM THE OLD SAXON WORD BALC OR BALK MEANING UNPLOWED RIDGE OR BANK AND CAM OR COMB, A LOW PLACE INCLOSED WITH HILLS. Mimeographed copy of one of the originals. Prepared by Elton E. Shell, August, 1947 in Tomales, California, at the request of Mrs. Ralph Hughes, Santa Barbara."

The following information was transcribed from a document received from Marje Ezmirlian, Burbank, CA:

"Buried at Mansfield Center, CT and on his grave stone is written: In memory of Cap. John Balcom who died Sept. 17, 1782, in the 85th year of his life. Much of this information was taken from Mansfield, CT records."

THE BALCOM FAMILY

Copied from a lengthy typewritten manuscript found in William H. Balcom's possessions and now possessed by his son, Clifford A. Balcom, Reading, Michigan.

JOHN BALCOM LINE, CONNECTICUT DIVISION, EARLY FAMILIES

John Balcom, a sea captain married Sarah Jacobs of Lynn, Mass, and vital records show that Lynn was his place of residence. John was at Mansfield, Conn as early as 1724. On July 28 1744 he purchased land located at Salem, Mass from Thomas Lesbird. Sarah died in 1742, probably in Mansfield, Conn, as John Balcom, on January 21, 1744 bought property in Salem, Mass, from Thomas Sesbrill, and the deed mentions John Balcom as 'formerly of Mansfield, Conn.' This deed was made when John Balcom, a mariner, was in the Isle of Jersey, and the conveyance was in French and is recorded in Sale, in French. He sold his property in 1747 to Peter and James Murrary, and in the deed is again mentioned as of Mansfield, Conn. In those deeds his name is spelled 'Balcam' but his immediate descendants used the common form of 'Balcom'. He married Hannah Proctor of Salem, Mass, for a second wife but we have no record of his having lived in Salem. No records have been found that show how he was related to Henry Balcom, of Charlestown, Mass, or to Alexander Balcom of Providence, Rhode Island; so a separate division of records are assigned to his descendants but it will be noticed that they begin two generations later than those of the two other divisions mentioned.

The Balcoms who came to Michigan are descended from John's second son, Joseph Balcom.

Much of this information was compiled by Walter and M. Theta Hakes Brown, Albion, Orleans County, New York, and published in their book, "Brown, Hakes, and Allied Families," 1940."

General Notes: Frank W. Balcomb compiled and published 'The First Book of The Balcombe Family' in 1942 and in the section 'John Balcombe and His Descendants' noted ... "Capt. John Balcombe, born, perhaps, on the Isle of Jersey, about 1697. ...."

Note: 2017 - Roland Baker (MyHeritage.com) has in fact posted the date and location of birth as 2 Mar 1700; Saint Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. Roland has also identified Capt. John's parents (Elie Eli Balcam and Elizabeth Cabot, Saint Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.) and grandparents (Jean and Catharine Balcam, England) and has thus established a direct connection to England.

John married Sarah Jacobs, daughter of Joseph Jacobs and Sarah Lynzey, on 27 Jul 1719 in Lynn, Essex County, MA. Sarah was born on 24 Mar 1696 in Lynn, Essex County, MA and died on 26 Feb 1741 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT aged 44.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 2 F    i. Sarah Balcom was born on 27 Apr 1720 in Lynn, Essex County, MA.

   3 F    ii. Elizabeth Balcom was born on 5 Jul 1722 in Lynn, Essex County, MA.

General Notes: Probably died young.

+ 4 M    iii. John Balcom was born on 7 Nov 1724 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT and died on 26 Oct 1808 in Winchester, CT aged 83.

   5 F    iv. Susannah Balcom was born on 11 Dec 1726 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT and died on 6 Apr 1727.

+ 6 M    v. Joseph Balcom was born on 24 Sep 1728 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT and died in Oct 1809 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT aged 81.

   7 F    vi. Mary Balcom was born on 18 Aug 1730 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT.

Mary married Joseph Clark III on 1 Apr 1756 in Middleton, CT. Joseph was born in 1726 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT.

   8 F    vii. Sarah Balcom was born on 5 Jul 1732 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT.

General Notes: Also known as Sarah Balcam.

+ 9 M    viii. Elias Balcom was born on 4 Oct 1733 in Mansfield, CT and died in Norfolk, Litchfield, County, CT.

   10 F    ix. Susannah Balcom was born on 20 Aug 1736 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT.

   11 M    x. Francis Balcom was born on 3 Mar 1738.

   12 F    xi. Sarah Balcom was born on 18 Aug 1739.

General Notes: Not listed in "A First Book of the Balcombe Family."

John next married Hannah Proctor on 20 Apr 1745 in Salem, Mass. Hannah was born in 1710 in Salem, Essex, MA and died on 8 Sep 1753 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT aged 43.

Children from this marriage were:

   13 M    i. Samuel Balcom was born on 31 Aug 1745 in Salem, Essex, MA.

   14 F    ii. Elizabeth Balcom was born in 1747 in Salem, Essex, MA.

Elizabeth married Benjamin Jacobs on 14 Jan 1761 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT. Benjamin was born on 9 Aug 1738.