Deposition #11 of William Draper
4/25/1775
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This is Deposition #11 of William Draper regarding the events of April 18 and 19, 1775 at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts Bay Colony.
This and other documents about the battles at Lexington and Concord are included in the Massachusetts State Papers from 1775 - 1787, in the Papers of the Continental Congress.
This and other documents about the battles at Lexington and Concord are included in the Massachusetts State Papers from 1775 - 1787, in the Papers of the Continental Congress.
Transcript
No. 1133
Lexington April 25th 1775
I William Draper of lawful age and Inhabitant of Colrain in the county of Hampshire of Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England do testify and declare that being on the Parade of Lexington April 19th Infant about half hour before Sunrise the Kings Regular Troops appeared at the meeting house of Lexington. Capt Parker's Company who were drawn up back of meeting house on the Parade turned from sd. Troops making their escape by dispersing, in the mean time the Regular Troops made an huzza and ran towards Capt Parkers Company who were dispersing, and immediately after the huzza was made the Commanding Officer of the troops (as I took him) gave the command to the troops to "fire! Fire! Dam you fire!" and immediately they fired before any of Capt Parkers Company fired. I then being within three or four rods of Regular Troops. further say not
William Draper
Middlesex April 25th 1775
William Draper above named being duly caution to testify the whole truth made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed
Wm Breed, Josiah Johnson, Wm Stickney
Coram Justice of Peace
34
Province of Massachusetts Bay Charleston
I Nathaniel Gorham Notary and Tabillion publick by Lawful Authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify to all whom it doth or may concern that Wm Reed, Josiah Johnson and Wm Stickney Esqrs are three of his Majesties Justices for the County of Middlesex and that full faith and credit is to be given to their transactions as such, in witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal this twenty fifth day of April one thousand seven hundred and seventy five.
Nathaniel Gorham Noty Pubk LS
the foregoing instruments are true copies in witness where of I have hereunto set my name & seal Nath Gorham Noty Pubk
This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
National Archives Identifier: 6883159
Full Citation: Deposition #11 of William Draper Regarding the Events of April 18 and 19, 1775 at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts Bay Colony; 4/25/1775; Massachusetts State Papers; Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 - 1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/deposition-11-william-draper, April 20, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.