Timothy Murphy
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Timothy Murphy (1751 - 1818) was a sniper in the American Revolutionary War. At the Battle of Bemis Heights (Second Battle of Saratoga) on 7 October 1777, Murphy is reputed to have shot and killed Sir Francis Clerke and General Simon Fraser. Murphy's life is the subject of John Brick's 1953 novel, The Rifleman.
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[edit] Early life
Relatively few details of Murphy's early life are known. He was born in 1751 near the Delaware Water Gap. His parents were immigrants from County Donegal, Ireland, and moved to Shamokin Flats (now Sunbury, Pennsylvania) in 1759, when Murphy was eight years old. A few years later, Murphy became an apprentice to a Mr. van Campen, and moved with the van Campen family to the Wyoming Valley, which was then the frontier.[1]
[edit] Revolutionary War
On 29 June 1775, shortly after the start of the Revolutionary War, Murphy and his brother John enlisted in the Northumberland County Riflemen, specifically Captain John Lowdon's Company. Their unit saw action in the Siege of Boston, the Battle of Long Island, and "skirmishing in Westchester".[1] After this, Murphy was promoted to sergeant in the Continental Army's 12th Pennsylvania Regiment and fought at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Murphy was an "expert marksman", defined as being "able to hit a seven inch target at 250 yards".[1] In July 1777 this skill led to Murphy joining Daniel Morgan's newly formed "Sharpshooter Corps".
Murphy fought at the battle of the Middle Fort in 1780.[1]
[edit] Legacy
Murphy is considered the main hero of Schoharie County, where he resided. In the cemetery of Middleburgh, NY there is a monument to him. Additionally, an annual walk is named in his honor.
