Event Details
On September 29, 2026, the Troy Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will dedicate the grave of Sarah Cotton Murphy, whose headstone was recently restored by chapter members.
Sarah Cotton married Hezekiah Murphy on April 17, 1794, in Nelson County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of John and his second wife, Elizabeth Smith Cotton. John Cotton provided material aid during the American Revolution. Hezekiah was a Revolutionary War soldier who served under Capt. Murdick and later under General Smallwood at Yorktown. Both John Cotton and Hezekiah Murphy are recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Sarah and Hezekiah Murphy had 8 children. The family eventually moved to Lincoln County, Missouri, in 1831, where Sarah died on October 23, 1856. Hezekiah died in 1842 in Nelson County, Kentucky, where he is buried.
An America 250 grant from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provided some funds to complete the restoration. “Honoring a pioneer woman whose life bridged the founding of our nation and the settlement of Missouri has been our job,” said Chapter member Renee Sydnor Boyd, who spearheaded the project.
Over the summer, the Chapter located, excavated, and reconstructed Sarah’s tombstone, which had been concealed beneath cemetery soil since at least 1972. The Chapter is partnering with American Legion Post 94 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8828 for the funds for this project and this event. Troy Mayor Quentin Laws, a veteran and military historian, has agreed to unveil the stone and offer brief remarks. Missouri DAR State Regent, Becky Osborne will also attend.
The service will begin at 5:15 p.m. at Troy City Cemetery. All are welcome as the chapter honors this Real Daughter of a Patriot.
For more information about the DAR contact Regent, Mercedes Bilow at 636-448-8819. You may also find information about the local DAR chapter on the web at http://www.mssdar.org/troy.