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.