History at the Old Stone Fort - 3-Pound Cannon Ball Cannon Ball Hole

On October 17, 1780 a force of 700-800 Loyalists and Native Americans led by Sir. John Johnson and Joseph Brant burned the Schoharie Valley to the ground, destroying at least 80,000 bushels of wheat and several dozen homes. A fight occurred at the lower fort (now known as the Old Stone Fort) at around 4pm between Johnson's forces and those defending

the lower fort. 

During this fight the building was hit by at least two cannon balls as seen in these photos from the Fort’s Clay Edmunds. These pictures showcase one of those cannon balls and the cannon ball hole left from this raid. This cannon ball was found 50 years after the attack during a roof restoration. The damaged wood was taken down more recently, in 2006 during a roof restoration.