History at the Old Stone Fort - Snowshoe and Key

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 9/7/25 | 9/7/25

Snowshoe

Wood and leather, American, circa 1780

This snowshoe was owned by Timothy Murphy. Snowshoes allow the wearer to walk on top of deep snow instead of through it sent to us by the Old Stone Fort’s Clay Edmunds. Murphy is best known as being credited for shooting and killing British General Simon Fraser during the Saratoga Campaign. He also helped defend the Middle Fort (Fort Defiance) during the 1780 Johnson Raid. Donated by Katherine Cornell Sternbergh in 1938.

Key

This key was used for the first courthouse in Schoharie County. This first courthouse was used from 1795 when Schoharie became a county to 1800. Donated by Walter M. Schaeffer.