William Heath, born on the 2d of March, 1737, was the son of a farmer
living in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Delighting in military exercise, he
joined the militia company of his town. In 1765, he became a member of
the “Ancient and Honorable Artillery” corps of Boston, subsequently
becoming its commander. In 1770, he contributed a series of articles
to a Boston newspaper, urging the importance of military training,
etc. In 1774, he received an appointment in the Provincial army of
Massachusetts, and on the 22d of June was created brigadier-general by
the Continental Congress and placed in command at Roxbury. On the 9th
of August, 1776, he was raised to the rank of major-general. Though
taking part in none of the great battles of the war, he did good
service as recruiting officer, commissary, and quartermaster. After the
close of the war he retired to his farm at Roxbury. Subsequently he was
elected senator, counsellor, Presidential elector, judge of probate,
and in 1806 Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts. This office, however,
he declined, choosing to spend his last years as a private citizen. He
died on his estate in Roxbury on the 24th of January, 1814.