Match Holder
From the collection
The match holder was made with inlaid wood by a Civil War prisoner. It was given to Civil War vet Wayland Francis Balch (1839-1937) around 1865. Serving from 1862 to 1863, Balch was a Private in Company E, 11th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Mud March, Siege of Vicksburg, and Siege of Jackson.
Waland Balch moved to Westford’s Parker Village after the war, and by 1895, became a member of Troop F Light Cavalry, MA Volunteer Militia. He was the last surviving Civil War vet in Westford.
Balch donated the match holder to the Fletcher Library, which gave much of their historical collection to the Westford Museum in 1983.
Holder
Ca. 1865
Stained wood, inlaid
2 3/4 x 3 1/2″
W.1983.31.66