Stillwater in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Battle of Freeman’s Farm

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013

1. The Battle of Freeman’s Farm Marker

Inscription. In the fields before you, the first action of the Battle of Saratoga began. Shortly after noon on September 19, American pickets posted in the Freeman House fired on advance elements of the center column of the British army. The Americans were driven back. After a lull, general fighting followed, and these fields changed hands several times. Then, German troops under Baron von Riedesel arrived from the river road and struck the American flank, forcing the Patriots to withdraw to Bemis Heights. The British had possession of these fields but their advance on Albany had been halted.

Erected by Saratoga National Historical Park, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1904.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 43° 0.367′ N, 73° 38.8′ W. Marker was in Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County. It could be reached from Park Tour Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Saratoga National Historical Park, along the tour road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Stillwater NY 12170, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

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Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York,

in the Capital District,

and in the Albany Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Why Fight Here? (within shouting distance of this marker); What Had Happened Before 1777 (within shouting distance of this marker); Discover a Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission: Crush American Independence (within shouting distance of this marker); Here Frazer Fell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Find the Americans' Weakness (approx. 0.3 miles away); "they Then All Retreeted with Great Preciptation & Confusion" (approx. 0.3 miles away); 'Let me have some men & we will have some Fun" (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.

Other markers no longer nearby. Take A Tour Through History (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Prelude to History (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The British Withdraw (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); The British Advance on Bemis Heights (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); The Second Battle Begins (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The top of the map contains a Battle map

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

2. The Battle of Freeman’s Farm Marker

of Freeman's Farm.

Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Saratoga. Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce website entry (Submitted on March 29, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Saratoga National Historical Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on August 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

3. A British perspective on the Battle of Saratoga from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on July 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013

3. The Battle of Freeman’s Farm Marker

Marker at Saratoga National Historical Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

4. Marker at Saratoga National Historical Park

The field in front of the marker was the location of the farm of John Freeman, a loyalist who went north to join the British invasion force.

Site of Freeman’s Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

5. Site of Freeman’s Farm

On this ground, Daniel Morgan's riflemen fired the first shots of the battle at Burgoyne's center column. Most of the fighting took place on these fields.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

6. Site of Freeman’s Farm

This is the site of the September 19, 1777 Battle of Freeman's Farm. The red-topped posts indicate the location of fortifications built by the British after the battle.

Detail of Battle Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

7. Detail of Battle Map

Freeman’s Farm Overlook Today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 16, 2023

8. Freeman’s Farm Overlook Today

The old markers have been removed. They used to be at the ends of the concrete pads.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,538 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on April 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on July 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on August 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on July 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.