Papers, 1774-1872.

ArchivalResource

Papers, 1774-1872.

Papers of William Heath cover his Revolutionary War military service in the Continental Army as a field commander (1776-77) and as commander of the Eastern District (Mar. 1777-June 1779) and the Lower Hudson (N.Y.) district (June 1779-1783). The collection consists of loose papers, 1774-1814, including correspondence, accounts, warrants, reports, military returns, and orderly books, 1776-83 (with gaps), containing general orders and Heath's orders to his commanding officers in the field. Frequent subjects include recruitment, troop movements, the appointment of officers, court-martials, morale, pay, camp life, discipline and desertion, equipment and provisions, and British prisoners of war. Heath's diaries date from 1775-1804 (with gaps from Dec. 1798-July 1801 and Aug. 1802-Feb. 1803). Wartime diaries describe movements by the British, American troop movements and locations, court-martials, prisoners of war, troop recruitment and enlistment, and casualties. The post-war diaries refer to global events, politics, and wars, including the French Revolution, weather, and family milestones. Frequent correspondents include George Washington, John Hancock, Henry Knox, Charles Lee, John Sullivan, and John Burgoyne.

42 boxes, 9 v., and 5 oversize boxes.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7369996

Massachusetts Historical Society

Related Entities

There are 10 Entities related to this resource.

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wn25h0 (person)

John Sullivan (February 17, 1740 – January 23, 1795) was a Founding Father of the United States and an American General in the Revolutionary War winning several key battles most notably the Delaware crossing. He was a delegate in the Continental Congress, where he signed the Continental Association, the third governor of New Hampshire, and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. Born in Somersworth in the Province of New Hampshire,...

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61h1c98 (person)

John Hancock (January 23, 1737 [O.S. January 12, 1736] – October 8, 1793) was an American Founding Father, merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence, so much so that the term John Hancock or Hancock has become a nickname in the United S...

United States. Continental Army. Eastern District.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gv2mm2 (corporateBody)

United States. Continental Army

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w66m6x5k (corporateBody)

In response to the expansion of the Continental Army the number of staff was increased and reorganized in 1776. Changes included the creation of a new unit to supplement George Washington's personal staff. This special unit, the Commander in Chief's Guard, was formed on March 12, 1776 with Captain Caleb Gibbs (formerly adjutant of the 14th Continental Regiment and appointed Aid to Major General Greene) as commander. The unit protected Washington, the army's cash, and official papers. ...

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6g15zs9 (person)

Burgoyne was a Lieutenant General of British forces during the American Revolution, who surrendered at Saratoga in Oct. 1777. From the description of John Burgoyne letter : to M.G. Gates, 1777 Dec. 12. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 63936829 British general. From the description of ALS : near Bemis Heights, N.Y., to Horatio Gates, 1777 Sept. 27. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122591552 General and Dramatist. ...

Heath, William, 1737-1814

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68w3dnw (person)

American Major-General. From the description of Autograph letter signed : Boston, to Ebenezer Hancock, 1777 Apr. 3. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270864067 Army officer. From the description of Papers of William Heath, 1776-1782. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71061920 Army officer in the Revolution, Massachusetts state senator, and jurist. From the description of Papers of William Heath, 1774-1777. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83784932 ...

Washington, George, 1732-1799

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6r31qfk (person)

George Washington (b. Feb. 22, 1732, Westmoreland County, Va.-d. Dec. 14, 1799, Mount Vernon, VA) was the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. Washington came from a family of farmers and landowners. He had little education but showed an aptitude for mathematics. He used this talent to become a surveyor. At 15, Washington took a job as assistant surveyor on a team sent to map the Shenandoah Valley in western Virginia. In his early 20s, Washington joined the Virgin...

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6h995df (person)

American revolutionary officer. From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p.], to Thomas Jefferson, 1793 Apr. 1. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270596665 From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p.], to General Henry Jackson, 1796 Oct. 26. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270596669 From the description of Autograph letter signed : Westpoint, to Colonel Pickering, Quartermaster General, 1782 Sept. 15. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270598200 ...

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6sj1ncn (person)

Lee was a veteran British Army officer who settled in America in 1773 and was appointed a major general in the Continental Army at the outbreak of the Revolution. In 1778, he was appointed to lead the attack at the Battle of Monmouth, but instead retreated without warning, apparently ignored orders from George Washington, and afterward demanded an apology from him. Lee was suspended and later dismissed from the Army. From the description of ALS, 1776 Jan. 30, Stamford, Ct...

United States. Continental Army. Lower Hudson District.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6c035bx (corporateBody)