Part I

.] I can find no record of his birth.

HEATH WILLIAM was born in Roxbury, Mass, in 1737. He left his plough in the furrow the moment the war-cry reached him and hastened to the field of epic glory. He was constitutionally a military man. Congress conferred upon him the commission of brigadier-general in 1775. The next year Congress raised him to the rank of major-general. He commanded a division at the battle of King's Bridge in 1776 and next year was placed over the Eastern Department with his headquarters at Boston and filled that arduous station until November 1778. Burgoyne and his army were under his charge as prisoners of war and at first gave him much trouble. The haughty British general and his officers supposed General Heath a novice in the rules of military etiquette and put on airs that induced insubordination among the English soldiers. In this they were mistaken. Gen. Heath had been a close military student from his boyhood. He had nothing new to learn from these high dignitaries but an insolent assumption of importance that he soon cured and reduced them to their proper level. With the humanity of a philanthropist and the polish of an old school gentleman he united the firmness of a Roman, the courage of a hero and the dignity of a nobleman.

In the summer of 1780 he was master of ceremonies at Rhode Island on the reception of the French fleet under the command of Admiral de Ternay with the troops that were sent to aid in sustaining our Independence. A mutual pleasure was experienced on that occasion which matured into lasting friendship. In 1781 Gen. H. was successfully employed at the east in raising supplies for the army. When Gen. Washington repaired to Yorktown Gen. Heath was left in command of the northern and eastern branches of the army that remained to sustain the garrisons upon the Hudson and Atlantic. At all times and under all circumstances he acquitted himself nobly and received a letter of sincere thanks from Washington at the close of the war for his zeal and promptness in the performance of the long and arduous services that had devolved upon him. After the war closed he filled various legislative and judicial stations with dignity and ability. He was elected lieutenant-governor in 1806 but refused to serve. He had earned a lasting fame--was beloved by his countrymen at large and glided down the stream of time peacefully until the 24th of January 1814 when his spirit returned to its original happy home.

HESTON EDWARD was ushered into Hestonville, county of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1745. He was one of the brave farmers who exchanged the plough for the sword. He entered the army as Captain and rose to the rank of Lieut. Colonel. By his vigilance in watching Lord Cornwallis when in Philadelphia he saved the brigade of Gen. Potter from being captured. The day previous to the battle of Germantown, with a few bold spirits he faced a heavy fire and succeeded in cutting the rope at the middle ferry to prevent the communication of the enemy with Philadelphia. In a skirmish with a party of British he received a severe sword cut on the back of his head, was taken prisoner and sent to Long Island where he was detained for seven months. After the Revolution closed he was an active member of the legislature of his native state and was esteemed through life for benevolence, charity, patriotism and rigid honesty. He died at his residence in Hestonville on the 14th day of March 1824.

HOLDEN LEVI was born in New Jersey in 1754. He entered the Continental army as Captain in 1776 and served faithfully until mother Britain relinquished her maternal care over the Colonies and left her froward child to act its own will and pleasure--a prudent course for the old lady and a fair business transaction. For three years Capt. Holden was attached to Washington's life guard and was highly esteemed by him. After the war he located at Newark, New Jersey where he enjoyed the esteem of the community for 30 years and descended to the tomb on the 19th day of April 1823, ripe in years and rich with honors.

HOUSTON JOHN was one of the nucleus of patriots who put the Revolutionary ball in motion at the Liberty Pole meeting in Georgia. Himself and Mr. Bullock were among the few who dared express their opinions at that meeting. Before it adjourned the fire of patriotism was kindled in so many bosoms that royal power trembled at the probable result. Mr. Houston was a member of the Continental Congress in 1775 and performed his duty nobly. He was subsequently a judge of the Supreme Court and governor of his state. He was a man of fine talents, great energy, sterling integrity and devoted patriotism. He enjoyed the full fruition of the love of his country and friends until 1796 when he passed peacefully from time to eternity.

HOWARD JOHN EAGER commenced infancy in Baltimore Md. in 1752. He resolved on Liberty or death at the commencement of that long and doubtful struggle that resulted in FREEDOM to America. He was among those who dared snatch the laurels from the proud sons of mother Britain and place them upon their own manly brows. He entered the army with the commission of Captain and was raised to the rank of Lieut. Colonel in 1779. He was one of the bravest of the brave. At the victory of Cowpens he held the swords of seven British officers at one time who had surrendered personally to him. His skill and bravery were exhibited at the battles of Germantown, White Plains, Monmouth, Camden and Hobbick's Hill. So highly were his services appreciated by Gen. Greene that he used this strong language--"As a patriot and soldier Col. Howard deserves a statue of gold no less than the Roman and Grecian Heroes." This short sentence is the crowning capital of the climax of eulogy. At the close of the Revolution Col. Howard returned to his large real estate in the city of Baltimore. Subsequent to the formation of the Federal government he was a member of the United States Senate and Governor of Maryland. No man was more beloved by his fellow citizens--no one better deserved their esteem. He died at his residence in 1827.

HUMPHREY DAVID commenced his career of life in Derby, Conn. on the--of July 1752. He was a graduate of Yale college and frequently danced attendance to the muses. He was a staunch friend of his country and entered the army a Captain. In 1778 he was aid to Gen. Putnam and in turn aid to Parsons, Greene and in 1780 became an aid to Gen. Washington with the rank of Lieut. Colonel with whom he remained until Lord Cornwallis fired his last gun at Yorktown. On all occasions Col. Humphrey acted a brave and noble part. His chivalrous conduct at the siege of Yorktown induced Congress to vote him an elegant sword. In 1784 he was the secretary of Mr. Jefferson then minister to France. In 1786 he retired to his native place and was elected to the legislature. In 1788 he was placed in command of a regiment raised for the western service. In 1790 he was appointed ambassador to the Court of Portugal and in 1797 minister plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid. On his return from Spain he introduced the Merino sheep into the United States and deserves great credit for his successful exertions in the improvement of wool and its manufacture. In all the multiform duties of his active life Col. Humphrey had the full approbation of his country. In private life he exemplified the virtues that make a good citizen. He closed his useful career at New Haven Connecticut on the 21st of February 1818.

HUNTINGTON JEDEDIAH was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1743. He was a graduate of Harvard College, an enterprising merchant and a whig of the first water. He led his regiment to the head quarters of the army at Cambridge early in 1775. His activity, zeal, courage and efficiency in the field gained the admiration of Washington who procured his advancement to the rank of Brigadier General. He rendered his best services to promote the glorious cause of Independence and remained in the field during the whole period of the war. He subsequently filled various civil offices. He was appointed Collector of the Port of New London by Washington and performed his duties faithfully during four consecutive administrations. He enjoyed the profound respect of the very intelligent citizens of New London until the 25th of September 1818 when he took his departure to the spirit world.

IRVINE ANDREW was a native of Ireland, brother to Gen. William Irvine spoken of more at length in