Local History at the Old Stone Fort - Timothy Murphy’s House and Miner’s Hat

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 8/3/25 | 8/3/25

Picture of Timothy Murphy's House

The Old Stone Fort’s Clay Edmunds sent us this picture of Timothy Murphy's house taken before 1934 when it was torn down. Murphy was a sharpshooter from Daniel Morgan's Rifle

Brigade and is credited for shooting the British General Simon Fraser during the Saratoga Campaign. Murphy also helped defend the Middle Fort (Fort Defiance) during the 1780 Johnson Raid.

Miners Hat

A Miner’s hat had a light source attached to it so that Miners could work in the dark without having to hold a source of light. This particular Miner’s Hat was worn by Jack Dempsey when he lost his life while working in a mine. This was given to the museum by A.K. Thomas.