Cohoes in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Van Schaick Mansion
Revolutionary War Heritage Trail
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
1. Van Schaick Mansion Marker
The plans for the Battle of Saratoga were drawn up in this house in the summer of 1777, when the American Army was headquartered here. That April General Philip Schuyler and 5,000 troops retreated from Fort Edward in advance of Burgoyne’s superior forces. They camped in the fields surrounding the Van Schaick Mansion, with additional encampments built on Peebles Island to the north.From August 22-25, the house served as the New York State Capitol while Governor George Clinton and the American generals drew up a plan of action. In a controversial move, they replaced General Philip Schuyler, an old friend of the Van Schaicks, with General Gates as commander of the Northern Department of the Continental Army.
In mid-August, Benedict Arnold led 800 volunteers to relieve the besieged troops at Fort Stanwix on the western frontier. They returned in time to advance to Saratoga where the Americans forced the British to surrender. British General Burgoyne stopped here as a prisoner of war afterwards.
Erected by State of New York.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary
this page online
Location. 42° 46.043′ N, 73° 41.218′ W. Marker is in Cohoes, New York, in Albany County. Marker is at the intersection of Van Schaick Avenue and Railroad Drive, on the right when traveling west on Van Schaick Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cohoes NY 12047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Van Schaick Mansion (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Van Schaick Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Van Schaick Burial Plot (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp Van Schaick (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Camp Van Schaick (about 800 feet away); Van Schaick Island (approx. 0.4 miles away); Continental Avenue (approx. 0.4 miles away); Knickerbacker Toll Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cohoes.
More about this marker. The lower left of the marker contains portraits of General Philip Schuyler and General Horatio Gates. A picture, from a 1783 portrait by Gilbert Stuart, of Col. Peter Gansevoort appears on the right of the marker. It has a caption of “John’s sister, Catherine Van Schaick, also lived here in 1777. Her fiancé, Col. Peter Gansevoort, was commander of Fort Stanwix. They were married on January 12, 1778 in a three-day wedding attended by all of the prominent Dutch families of New York.”
The center of the marker features a cross section of the multi-level mansion, with the caption “John Goosen Van Schaick opened up his house to the Army in 1777. He also loaned General Schuyler $10,000 in gold to supply the destitute troops. The continental script he received in exchange was never redeemed.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
2. Marker in Cohoes
The Van Schaick Mansion can be seen in this photo behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
3. Van Schaick Mansion Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
4. Van Schaick Mansion
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, June 30, 2011
5. Van Schaick Mansion
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 958 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on June 30, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.
