Deposition No. 13
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Testimony of John Bateman About the Battle of Lexington
I John Bateman belonging to the fifty second regiment commanded by Coln. Jones on Wednesday morning on the nineteen day of April instant was in the Party marching to Concord being at Lexington in the County of Middlesex, being nigh the meeting house in said Lexington there was a small party of men gathered together in that place when our said Troops marched by and I Testify & Declare that I heard the word of command given to the Troops to fire, and some of said Troops Did fire and I saw one of said small party lay Dead on the ground nigh said meeting house, and I testify that I never heard any of the Inhabitants so much as fire one gun on said Troops
John Bateman
Witnesses to the Testimony
Middlesex, April 23, 1775
the above named John Bateman voluntarily being previously cautioned to relate nothing but the truth made solemn oath to the above Deposition by him subscribed
Before us —
John Cuming
Duncan Ingraham
{ Justices of the Peace
Certification of the Testimony
Province of the Massachusetts Bay, Charlestown
I Nathaniel Gorham Notary and Tabillion Public Duly admitted and sworn Do certify that John Cummings & Duncan Ingraham Esqs are too of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex & that full faith & credit is to be given to their transactions as such; in witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name & seal this twenty sixth Day of April one thousand seven hundred & seventy five
Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Public
the foregoing instruments are true copies as in Witness whereof I hereunto set my name & seal
Interesting Facts About the Deposition of John Bateman
- Joseph Warren of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress wanted the depositions gathered as quickly as possible, so he could send them to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, and Benjamin Franklin in London.
- Franklin was the Agent for Massachusetts and acted as its representative. Warren wanted Franklin to have eyewitness accounts that could be used to help gain sympathy for the Patriot Cause.
- John Bateman was a member of the 52nd Regiment.
- Bateman said he heard one of the officers order the men to fire, and they did.
- Further, he said that none of the inhabitants of Lexington fired on the British troops.
- The notary public, Nathaniel Gorham, went on to serve as the 8th President of the Continental Congress (June 6, 1786–February 2, 1787).
