No 5. 19
Lexington April 24th. 1775
I John Robins being of lawfull age, do Testify & say that on the nineteenth Inst. the Company under the Command of Capn. John Parker, being drawn up, (sometime before sun Rise) on the Green or Common, And, I being in the front Rank, there suddenly appear’d a Number of the Kings ^Troops^, About a Thousand as I thought, at the distance of about 60, or 70 yards from us Hazzaring and on a quick pace toward us, with three officers in their front, on Horse Back and on full Gallop towards us, the foremost of which cryed, throw down your Arms ye Villains, ye Rebels, upon which said Company Dispercing. – The foremost of the three Officers orderd their Men, saying fire, by God fire, at which Moment we Received a very heavy & close fire from them, at which Instant, being wounded I fell, Several of our men were shot Dead by one, Capn. Parkers men, I believe had not then fired a Gun and further the Deponant saith not –
John Robins
Middlesex SS April
I John Robins within named appeared and being duely cautioned to testifye the truth & Nothing but the truth made Solemn Oath to the truth of the within Deposition subscribed by his Special order, he being so maim’d & wounded, that he thought he could neither write his Name nor Make his Mark.
Coram Wm Reed
Josiah Johnson } Just. Pacis
20 Province of Massachusetts Bay, Charlestown SS
I Nathaniel Gorham Notary & Tabellion Public by lawful authority Duly admitted & sworn hereby Certify all whom it Doth or may concern that William Reed & Josiah Johnson Esqrs. are two of his Majesty’s ^Justices^ for the County of Middlesex and that full faith & Credit is to be given to their transactions as such, in witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal this twenty sixth Day of April Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred & seventy five
Natthaniel Gorham Not. Pubk. {LS}
the foregoing instaments are true copies
attest Nath Gorham Notary Publick
No. 5
