William Cockran

v2:1376

"In regard to what I know of the setting fire to Charlestown, on the 17th of June, is: I was on Copp' s Hill at the landing of the Troops in Charlestown; and about one hour after the Troops were landed, orders came down to set fire to the Town, and soon after a carcass was discharged from the hill, which set fire to one of the old houses just above the ferry ways; from that the meeting-house and several other houses were set on fire by carcasses; and the houses at the eastern end of the Town were set on fire by men landed out of the boats.

WILLIAM COCKRAN."

"MIDDLESEX, ss˙, August 16, 1775:

"Then William Cockran personally appeared before me, the subscriber, and made solemn oath to the truth of the within Deposition.

JAMES OTIS,

A Justice of the Peace through the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England."