Deposition of Captain John Parker Concerning the Battle at Lexington

On April 19, 1775, Capt. John Parker gave this account of the battle of Lexington, Massachusetts. After confronting the British Regulars, Parker ordered his men “to disperse and not to fire.” Suddenly a shot rang out, fired by an unknown person; the British reacted by firing, killing eight of Parker’s men. This deposition, which was delivered to the Massachusetts Assembly and later forwarded to the Continental Congress, presents the American perception of the battle.

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 4. Lexington April 25th, 1775                                  

I John Parker, of lawful Age, and Commander of the Militia in Lexington, do testify & declare that on the 19th Instant, in the morning, about one of the Clock, being informed that there were a Number of Regular Officers riding up and down the Road, Stopping and insulting People as they passed the Road, and also was informed that a Number of Regular Troops were on their March from Boston, in order to take the Province Stores at Concord, ordered our Militia to meet on the Common in said Lexington, to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered nor meddle or make with said Regular Troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult or molest us - and upon their sudden Approach I immediately ordered our Militia to disperse and not to fire - Immediately said Troops made their Appearance and rushed furiously, fired up-on and killed eight of our Party, without receiving any Provocation therefor from us,

                                                                                                                        John Parker

(in bracket) 

Middlesex  Ss. April 25th, 1775. The above named John Parker personally appeared, and, after being duly cautioned to declare the whole Truth, made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed

Coram 

Wm Reed
Josiah Johnson     (bracket) Just of Peace
Wm Stickney 

Province of Massachusetts Bay, Charlestown Ss.

I Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellian Publick,
by lawful Authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby
certify all whom it ^doth or^ may concern, that William Reed,
Josiah Johnson and William Strikney Esq are three
of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of
Middlesex, and that full Faith & Credit is and ought to be
given to their transactions as such - In Witness whereof
I have hereunto set my Name and Seal this twenty
sixth Day of April, one Thousand Seven Hundred and
Seventy five.
Nathaniel Gorham Noty Pubk (LS)
The forgoing are true copies
attest Nath Gorham Noty Publick