1774-1872
Guide to the Microfilm and Digital Edition
Encoding sponsored by the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati.
Abstract
The papers of William Heath document his Revolutionary War military service in the Continental Army as a field commander (1776-1777) and as commander of the Eastern District (March 1777-June 1779) and the Lower Hudson (New York) district (June 1779-1783).
Biographical Timeline
2 March 1737 |
Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Payson) Heath. |
19 April 1759 |
Married Sarah Lockwood of Cambridge, Massachusetts. |
1761 |
Elected member of the Massachusetts General Court representing Roxbury. |
1765 |
Joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in Boston. |
1771 |
Re-elected to the Massachusetts General Court. |
8 December 1774 |
Appointed brigadier-general by the Provincial Assembly of Massachusetts. |
1774-1775 |
Member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. |
June 1775 |
Promoted to the rank of major-general of Massachusetts forces.
At the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Appointed brigadier-general of the Continental Army under George Washington.
|
9 August 1776 |
Promoted to major-general in the Continental service. |
January 1777 |
Led an unsuccessful attack on Fort Independence (ICY).
Placed in command of the Eastern Military District, with headquarters in
Boston.
|
1779 |
Placed in command of the Lower Hudson District while George Washington was in Yorktown
with main army. |
1 July 1783 |
Returned to his farm in Roxbury, Massachusetts. |
1788 |
Served as a member of the state convention which ratified the Constitution. |
1791-1792 |
Member of the Massachusetts Senate. |
1792 |
Appointed judge, Probate Court, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. |
1806 |
Elected lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts, declined to serve. |
24 January 1814 |
Died in Roxbury, Massachusetts. |
Collection Description
The William Heath papers consist of 46 reels of microfilm. The bulk of the collection concerns military matters during the American Revolution. Heath served in the Continental Army from its inception to its dissolution in 1783. The papers cover his service as a field commander, 1776-1777; his command of the Eastern District, March 1777-June 1779; and the Lower Hudson District, June 1779-1783. The collection consists of loose papers, diaries, and orderly books.
Arrangement
This collection consists of 31 numbered volumes on 46 reels of microfilm. Reels 1-26 contain loose papers formerly bound into 26 volumes. These materials are arranged chronologically according to the original sequence in the volumes. The items have two sets of numbers on them: 1) the original volume and page numbers which are marked on the back of each document and 2) a second set of page numbers on the front of each document assigned during disbinding. Although the page numbers changed slightly, the order of the documents remained the same. The volume and reel numbers are equivalent, although many reels have been split between two reels of microfilm. Volume 17, for example, is located on reels 17 and 17B.
Each item has been individually cataloged in the MHS manuscript catalog, published by G. K. Hall in 1969 as the Catalog of Manuscripts in the Massachusetts Historical Society. Each entry contains a volume and page number indicating its exact location on the microfilm. Because the materials are not in perfect chronological order and because many documents have been misfiled, this is the most exact way of locating a document on the microfilm.
If the G. K. Hall catalog is not available, two indexes are helpful in determining the approximate location of items on the microfilm. The first index is known as the "26 Volume Index" and is Volume 27 of the collection. It has been filmed at the beginning of each reel except for the split reels described above. Volume 27 was not filmed separately and does not have a corresponding reel number: there is no reel 27. The second index is actually an individual volume index filmed at the beginning of its corresponding reel. Both indexes contain an alphabetical list of names and page numbers. The separate volume indexes also contain occasional descriptions of the contents of documents.
Both indexes refer only to the original numbering system. Page references in the indexes do not match the page numbers on the front of each document, but the items remain in their original order.
Reels 28-29 contain Heath's orderly books, 1776-1783. Reel 29B also includes miscellaneous papers, 1775-1872 (see collection description for more information). Heath's diaries, 1775-1804, are on reels 30-31.
Acquisition Information
The papers were purchased from the heirs of William Heath by Amos A. Lawrence, who in turn donated them to the Massachusetts Historical Society in May 1859. Additional miscellaneous materials were donated in 1970 by Mrs. Robert G. Peck of Chicago, Illinois.
Other Formats
On microfilm, P-205, 46 reels.
Selections published in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 5th series, Vol. 4 (1878); 7th series, Vols. 4 and 5 (1904-1905).
Portions of this collection are available as color digital facsimiles.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Note: If it is available, consult the published Catalog of Manuscripts of the Massachusetts Historical Society, (G. K. Hall, 1969) to determine the volume and page number of each individual document.
Note: There is no reel 27. The contents of volume 27 appear at the beginning of each reel except where the reels have been split: i.e., on reel 12, but not 12B, etc.
Papers, 1774-1814Digital Content
The papers, 1774-1814, contain correspondence from prominent political and military figures of the time, including over 300 pieces of correspondence from George Washington. Subjects include recruitment, troop movements, appointment of officers, pay, courts-martial, morale, discipline, desertion, and British prisoners of war. There are numerous warrants, petitions, guard reports, and returns. Many letters concern provisions, arms, and ammunition. The letters relate primarily to the details of military life and the conduct of the war.
Vol. 1, 18 August 1774-31 October 1776
Each document has two numbers. The numbers on the front are sequential numbers assigned when the volume was disbound. The numbers on the versos were in place when the handwritten index was created.
Index (handwritten) of documents
The numbers within this handwritten index refer to manuscripts by the numbers on the versos of the documents. Please read the notes below the folder descriptions to locate the document verso numbers.
18 August 1774-August 1775, documents 1-20
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 17a-25b.
1775, 1781, documents 21-42
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 25c-32c.
1775, documents 43-70
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 33a-41a.
1775, 1777?, documents 71-100
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 21c, 41b-50c.
1775-1776, documents 101-119
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 27c, 17b, 51-57a.
1776, documents 120-144
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 57b-67a.
January 1776 - February 1776, documents 145-164
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 67b-75b.
1776-1777, documents 165-178
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 76a-82b.
1776, documents 179-199
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 83-92a.
1776, documents 200-220
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 92b-100b.
1776, documents 221-239
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 101a-110b.
1776, documents 240-259
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 111-120c.
1776, documents 260-279
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 121a-128b.
1776, (1778), documents 280-299
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 129a-137c.
1776-1777, documents 300-319
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 138a-146a.
August 1776, documents 320-330
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 146b-150b.
August 1776, documents 331-349
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 151a-158b.
August 1776, documents 350-369
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 159a-167a.
(1775), August 1776, documents 370-385
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 167b-173a.
September 1776, documents 386-404
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 174-179a.
September-October 1776, documents 405-424
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 179b-185a.
October 1776, documents 425-439
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 185c-189b.
October 1776, documents 440-460
Volume 1 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 189d-195b.
Vol. 2, 1 September-19 December 1776
Each document has two numbers. The numbers on the front are sequential numbers assigned when the volume was disbound. The numbers on the versos were in place when the handwritten index was created.
Index (handwritten) of documents
The numbers within this handwritten index refer to manuscripts by the numbers on the versos of the documents. Please read the notes below the folder descriptions to locate the document verso numbers.
August-September 1776, documents 2-14
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 17b-23.
September 1776, documents 15-29
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 24-30b.
September 1776, documents 30-43
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 31-38a.
September 1776, documents 44-57
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 38b-45a.
1-4 October 1776, documents 58-74
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 45b-53a.
September-October 1776, documents 75-94
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 53b-61c.
10-26 October 1776, documents 95-109
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 62a-69.
November 1776, documents 110-129
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 70a-79a.
November 1776, documents 130-149
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 79b-87a.
November 1776 (Nov. 1775), documents 150-164
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 87b-92c.
November 1776, documents 165-179
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 93a-100a
November 1776, documents 180-194
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 100b-106b.
November 1776, documents 195-210
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 107a-114b.
December 1776, documents 211-229
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 115a-122c.
December 1776, documents 230-244
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 122d-129b.
December 1776, documents 245-259
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 129c-135a.
December 1776, documents 260-274
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 135b-141a.
December 1776, documents 275-289
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 141b-148.
December 1776, documents 290-300
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 149-156a.
December 1776, documents 301-313
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 156b-162b.
December 1776, documents 314-329
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 163-170b.
December 1776, documents 330-340
Volume 2 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 171a-175.
Vol. 3, 19 December 1776-7 April 1777
Each document has two numbers. The numbers on the front are sequential numbers assigned when the volume was disbound. The numbers on the versos were in place when the handwritten index was created.
Index (handwritten) of documents
The numbers within this handwritten index refer to manuscripts by the numbers on the versos of the documents. Please read the notes below the folder descriptions to locate the document verso numbers.
December 1776, documents 1-19
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 18-32b.
November-December 1776, documents 20-39
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 34a-48b.
December 1776, documents 40-59
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 50a-66a.
George Washington letter to William Heath, 28 December 1776, document 30
Volume 3 (disbound), document number on verso: 50.
August-December 1776, documents 60-79
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 66b-86a.
December 1776-January 1777, documents 80-99
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 86b-110a.
January 1777, documents 100-114
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 110b-130.
January 1777, documents 115-134
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 132-150.
January 1777, documents 135-154
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 152-170b.
January 1777, documents 155-169
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 172a-186b.
January 1777, documents 170-184
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 186c-200b.
January 1777, documents 185-198
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 200a-212a.
January 1777, documents 199-219
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 212b-230.
January 1777, documents 220-242
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 232-252a.
February 1777, documents 243-259
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 256a-264c.
February-March 1777, documents 260-278
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 264d-272c.
February 1777, documents 279-299
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 272d-276j.
February-March 1777, documents 300-319
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 278a-286a.
March 1777, documents 320-340
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 286b-298a.
March 1777, documents 341-364
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 299-312a.
March 1777, documents 365-384
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 312b-322c.
March 1777, documents 385-409
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 324a-338c.
March-April 1777, documents 410-433
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 340a-352a.
April 1777, documents 434-459
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 352b-368c.
April 1777, documents 460-482
Volume 3 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 370a-379d.
Vol. 4, April-May 1777
Each document has two numbers. The numbers on the front are sequential numbers assigned when the volume was disbound. The numbers on the versos were in place when the handwritten index was created.
Index (handwritten) of documents
The numbers within this handwritten index refer to manuscripts by the numbers on the versos of the documents. Please read the notes below the folder descriptions to locate the document verso numbers.
April 1777, documents 1-19
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 16a-27.
April 1777, documents 20-39
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 28a-42b.
April 1777, documents 40-55
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 42c-50c.
April 1777, documents 55-73
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 52a-64b.
April 1777, documents 74-89
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 68a-76a.
April 1777, documents 90-104
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 76b-84d.
April 1777, documents 105-119
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 86a-96b.
April 1777, documents 120-134
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 96c-107a.
April-May 1777, documents 135-154
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 107c-117a.
May 1777, documents 155-169
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 118a-122b.
May 1777, documents 170-179
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 123a-126c.
May 1777, documents 180-194
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 1127a-131b.
May 1777, documents 195-209
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 132a-136b.
May 1777, documents 210-224
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 136c-141b.
May 1777, documents 225-239
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 141c-146b.
May 1777, documents 240-259
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 147a-153b.
May 1777, documents 260-274
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 153c-158c.
May 1777, documents 275-289
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 158d-163a.
May 1777, documents 290-304
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 164a-169a.
May 1777, documents 305-319
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 169b-174a.
May 1777, documents 320-340
Volume 4 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 174b-182c.
Vol. 5, 2 June-31 July 1777
Each document has two numbers. The numbers on the front are sequential numbers assigned when the volume was disbound. The numbers on the versos were in place when the handwritten index was created.
Index (handwritten) of documents
The numbers within this handwritten index refer to manuscripts by the numbers on the versos of the documents. Please read the notes below the folder descriptions to locate the document verso numbers.
June 1777, documents 1-24
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 16d-30a.
June 1777, documents 25-44
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 31b-43.
June 1777, documents 45-59
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 44a-53b.
June 1777, documents 60-79
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 54a-65c.
June 1777, documents 80-99
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 67-79b.
June 1777, documents 100-114
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 81a-90a.
June 1777, documents 115-134
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 90b-102a.
June 1777, documents 135-155
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 102b-118a.
June-July 1777, documents 156-174
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 118b-125a.
July 1777, documents 175-189
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 125b-130a.
July 1777, documents 190-209
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 130b-136c.
July 1777, documents 210-229
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 136d-142d.
July 1777, documents 230-244
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 143a-147b.
July 1777, documents 245-259
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 147c-153a.
July 1777, documents 260-284
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 153b-160c.
July 1777, documents 285-299
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 161a-165c.
July 1777, documents 300-319
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 166a-173a.
July 1777, documents 320-334
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 173b-177c.
July 1777, documents 335-349
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 178a-181c.
July 1777, documents 350-359
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 182a-185b.
July 1777, documents 360-371
Volume 5 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 185c-189c.
Vol. 6, 1 August-25 October 1777
Each document has two numbers. The numbers on the front are sequential numbers assigned when the volume was disbound. The numbers on the versos were in place when the handwritten index was created.
Index (handwritten) of documents
The numbers within this handwritten index refer to manuscripts by the numbers on the versos of the documents. Please read the notes below the folder descriptions to locate the document verso numbers.
August 1777, documents 1-19
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 10a-16b.
August 1777, documents 20-34
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 16c-21b.
August 1777, documents 35-54
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 22a-28c.
August 1777, documents 55-69
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 29a-33c.
August 1777, documents 70-89
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 34a-38d.
August 1777, documents 90-104
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 39a-42c.
August 1777, documents 105-124
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 43a-48a.
August 1777, documents 125-144
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 48b-54a.
August 1777, documents 145-159
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 54b-57b.
August 1777, documents 160-174
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 58a-62a.
September 1777, documents 175-189
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 65a-66d.
September 1777, documents 190-209
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 66e-71b.
September 1777, documents 210-229
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 71c-76c.
September 1777, documents 230-244
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 76d-81b.
September 1777, documents 250-259
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 81c-85c.
September 1777, documents 260-279
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 85d-90c.
September 1777, documents 280-294
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 90d-94c.
September 1777, documents 295-309
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 95a-98b.
September-October 1777, documents 310-334
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 98c-103c.
October 1777, documents 335-349
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 104a-108c.
October 1777, documents 350-364
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 108d-112c.
October 1777, documents 365-379
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 113a-116d.
October 1777, documents 380-393
Volume 6 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 116e-119e.
Vol. 7, 25 October-26 December 1777
Each document has two numbers. The numbers on the front are sequential numbers assigned when the volume was disbound. The numbers on the versos were in place when the handwritten index was created. However, MHS no longer has manuscript copy for Volume 7. The index can be viewed on microfilm.
October 1777, 1778 documents 1-19
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 12a-17c.
November 1777, documents 20-34
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 19a-23c.
November 1777, documents 35-49
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 23d-28b.
November 1777, documents 50-74
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 28c-36a.
November 1777, documents 75-99
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 36b-43b.
November 1777, documents 100-119
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 43c-48b.
November 1777, documents 120-134
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 48c-52c.
November 1777, documents 135-149
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 52d-56d.
November 1777, documents 150-164
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 57a-61a.
November - December 1777, documents 165-174
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 61b-67a.
December 1777, documents 175-189
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 67b-72a.
December 1777, documents 190-209
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 72b-78a.
December 1777, documents 210-224
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 78b-82b.
December 1777, documents 252-239
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 82c-86c.
December 1777, documents 240-254
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 87a-91b.
December 1777, documents 255-274
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 92a-97b.
December 1777, documents 275-294
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 97c-102b.
December 1777, documents 295-309
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 102c-107b.
December 1777, documents 310-329
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 107c-115a.
December 1777, documents 330-339
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 115b-117c.
December 1777, documents 340-354
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 117d-121a.
December 1777, documents 355-364
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 121b-125b.
December 1777, documents 75-99
Volume 7 (disbound), document numbers on versos: 125c-129c.
Vol. 8, 1 January-13 March 1778
Vol. 9, 14 March-31 May 1778
Vol. 10, 1 June-2 August 1778
Vol. 11, 2 August-12 October 1778
Vol. 12, 12 October 1778-3 May 1779
Vol. 12, 4-20 May 1779
Vol. 13, 21 May-10 August 1779
Vol. 13, 10-31 August 1779
Vol. 14, 1 September-23 December 1779
Vol. 14, 24-31 December 1779
Vol. 15, 1 January-13 February 1780
Vol. 15, 13 February-22 April 1780
Vol. 16, 22 April-12 August 1780
Vol. 16, 12-30 August 1780
Vol. 17, 31 August-12 November 1780
Vol. 17, 13-23 November 1780
Vol. 18, 23 November 1780-15 January 1781
Vol. 18, 15 January-15 February 1781
Vol. 19, 15 February-7 April 1781
Vol. 19, 7 April-30 May 1781
Vol. 20, 4 June-14 September 1781
Vol. 20, 14-23 September 1781
Vol. 21, 23 September-20 October 1781
Vol. 21, 20-30 October 1781
Vol. 22, 1-30 November 1781
Vol. 22, 30 November-23 December 1781
Vol. 23, 23 December 1781-5 February 1782
Vol. 23, 5-22 February 1782
Vol. 24, 22 February-10 April 1782
Vol. 24, 10 April-8 May 1782
Vol. 25, 8 May-17 July 1782
Vol. 25, 17 July-6 August 1782
Vol. 26, 6 August-23 December 1783
Vol. 26, 28 January 1784-3 January 1814
Orderly books, 1776-1783
The orderly books, 1776-1783, are located on reels 28, 29, and 29B. They contain resolves sent by the Continental Congress and the war office, general orders and appointments from George Washington, and Heat's orders to his commanding officers in the field. The orderly books are general and procedural in nature.
Subjects covered in the orderly books are: army and camp regulations for officers and soldiers, behavior, morale, desertion, discipline, punishment, courts-martial, the abuse of private and public properties (plunder and pillage of fields, gardens, and fences), prisoner-of-war care, health, and sanitation. There are detailed instructions for alarms and the use of arms and ammunition.
There are gaps in the orderly books. There are no orders from July 1778-February 1779, March 1780-January 1781, and December 1782-March 1783. Entries within the volumes are not in strict chronological order, particularly from 23 June 1779-July 1781 during Heath's command of the Lower Hudson district.
Some sections of the orderly books were filmed out of order.
Vol. 28, 17 August 1776-3 February 1780
Orders for 30 June-7 November 1779 are followed by Massachusetts Bay accounts and receipts with William Heath for monies paid and received for enlisting troops, 21 October 1779-3 February 1780. There is a single oversize account dated 1 April 1780.
Vol. 29, 7 February 1780-10 July 1782
Begins with orders 23 June 1779-5 February 1780. (Many are not in strict chronological order.) Orders for 26 January-21 February 1780 follow 23 April 1781. (These entries are not in chronological order.) Orders for 18 April-2 May 1782 follow 20 June 1782.
Vol. 29, 11 July 1782-22 June 1783
Miscellaneous papers, 1775-1872
Miscellaneous papers, 1775-1872, located on Reel 29B include non-military materials. There are receipts for Heath's funeral in 1814 and a receipt to Samuel Heath dated 1744 (this item falls outside the nominal inclusive dates of the collection).
Diaries, 1775-1804Digital Content
The diaries of William Heath, 1775-1804, are located on microfilm reels 30 and 31. There are gaps from December 1798-July 1801 and 22 August 1802-February 1803.
Diary entries during the war include Heath's comments on daily military life. Subjects covered during the war years include location and possible movements of the enemy, main and Northern Army locations, marches, brigade distribution, prisoner escapes, courts-martial, executions, work details, the reenlistment of troops, the personal health of Heath (including his smallpox inoculation on 21 April 1776 and its after effects), and the movements of the French fleet and army. Some battles and skirmishes are also described. Friendly and enemy casualty figures are often listed.
After the war, diary entries refer to global events, including politics, wars, and natural catastrophes, in particular French politics and conflicts between 1789 and 1793. Daily weather reports are given, as are family milestones, i.e., births, marriages, and deaths.
Original volumes 30 and 31 each contained multiple diaries.
30 June 1775-6 March 1776
20 March-30 October 1776
31 October 1776-27 February 1777
14 March 1777-15 May 1778
16 May 1778-7 March 1779
23 June 1779-29 February 1780
8 March-22 June 1779
1 March-4 December 1780
5 December 1780-9 May 1781
13 August-15 November 1781 (in volume); 16 November-11 December 1781 (attachment)
Also includes expenses (on last page of volume): 21 August-16 September 1781.
12 December 1781-28 April 1782
29 April-30 August 1782
31 August-30 November 1782
1 December 1782-6 April 1783
7 April-21 October 1783
22 October 1783-16 February 1784
17 February-29 February 1784
1 March-11 August 1784
12 August 1784-13 February 1785
14 February-13 June 1785
14 June-29 July 1785
30 July-7 September 1785
8 September-5 December 1785
6 December 1785-12 August 1786
13 August-6 September 1786
7 September 1786-12 January 1787
13 January-2 April 1787
2 April-18 July 1787
19 July-4 November 1787
5 November 1787-23 March 1788
24 March-8 June 1788
9 June-13 July 1788
14 July-9 December 1788
10 December 1788-26 April 1789
27 April-3 November 1789
4 November 1789-16 May 1790
17 May-5 June 1790
18 December 1790-20 January 1791
21 January-25 August 1791
26 August 1791-27 January 1792
28 January-9 July 1792
10 July-9 December 1792
10 December 1792-25 March 1793
26 March-13 November 1793
14 November 1793-27 May 1794
28 May-5 December 1794
6 December 1794-8 June 1795
19 February-13 October 1796
14 October 1796-12 July 1797
14 July 1797-8 January 1798
19 June-20 November 1798
10 August 1801-21 August 1802
26 November 1803-28 September 1804
1 March-26 November 1803
Preferred Citation
William Heath papers, Massachusetts Historical Society
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.