Guilderland in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Frederick Crounse

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 6, 2011

1. Frederick Crounse Marker

Inscription. Farm of
Frederick Crounse
Officer 3D Albany Co. Militia
in Revolution. Carried food
to Army Battle of Saratoga.
Buried Here

Erected 1932 by New York State Education Department.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 42° 40.843′ N, 74° 1.131′ W. Marker is in Guilderland, New York, in Albany County. It is on Altamont-Voorheesville Road (New York State Route 156) near Brandle Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 843 Route 156, Guilderland NY 12084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

in the Capital District,

and in the Albany Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen

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Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jacob Van Aernam (approx. 0.4 miles away); Captain Jacob Van Aernam (approx. half a mile away); Altamont Fairgrounds / Recinto Ferial de Altamont (approx. 1.3 miles away); Hayes House / Casa Hayes (approx. 1.4 miles away); Altamont High School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Altamont High School / Instituto Altamont (approx. 1½ miles away); Family Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); St. Lucy/St. Bernadette Catholic Church / Iglesia Católica St. Lucy/St. Bernadette (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guilderland.

Regarding Frederick Crounse. Frederick Crounse, the emigrant to America, was born in Germany, died in the Helderberg region, now the town of Guilderland, Albany County, New York, April 16, 1828. He was a shoemaker by trade; he settled first at Rhinebeck, New York. He married Anna Barbara , who died March 6, 1823, aged seventy-six years, two months and twenty-three days. Becoming dissatisfied with conditions and prospects he broke up his home and started to find a new one north

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 6, 2011

2. Frederick Crounse Marker

Looking north on Route 156

or west. On foot, with perhaps one team of oxen, they traversed the wild region west of the Hudson until finally under the rugged rocks and mountains of the Helderbergs the mother's fortitude and courage gave way. She refused to proceed further and compelled her husband to choose a location in that valley, which he did, not far from the present village of Altamont. He secured a tract of land containing several hundred acres from the Van Rensselaers, paying a nominal lease; later his descendants came into soil possession by title and deed. He cut logs on his own land with which the first house was built, making a little clearing to which field by field was added as the years rolled on. He did not live to accomplish a great amount himself, but he laid the foundations on which six succeeding generations have built, and founded a race of hardy men and women, who have honorably borne the Crounse name. Wherever in this narrative the "old homestead" is referred to, the tract first reclaimed from its wild conditions by the sturdy German emigrant and his plucky wife is meant. Frederick Crounse was drafted in the revolution and rendered service.

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, May 4, 2024

3. Frederick Crounse Marker

View from Route 156

At the first town meeting held in Guilderland, April 5, 1803, he was chosen commissioner of highways. He-left sons and daughters. The family were members of the German Lutheran church and clung to their church and mother tongue always, speaking German in their personal intercourse for two and three generations. The family religion has remained Lutheran through all the generations, while the family politics have been Whig and Republican, the latter day Crounses being particularly strong in their Republican sentiments.

The Frederick Crounse House, begun circa 1760, was added to the national register in 1982. "The Crounse House is significant as one of the earliest structures in the town, as well as for its Federal period additions and for its association with a notable community figure. Its early barn contributes to the character of the farmhouse."

Also see . . .
1. Crounse Homestead - Historic American Building Survey. Library of Congress website entry (Submitted on October 16, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)

2. Viewpoints Newsletter Summer 2026. Article on pages 3-4, The Historic Crounse

Frederick Crounse Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 6, 2011

4. Frederick Crounse Home

The Frederick Crounse House, bugun circa 1760, was added to the National Register in 1982.

Property

Earlier this year, MHLC [Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy] acquired the 197-acre Historic Crounse Property in the Town of Guilderland. The property is directly adjacent to Thacher State Park and contains land both on the top of the Helderberg Escarpment and frontage on Route 156 Altamont-Voorheesville Road....The Helderberg Escarpment is widely considered the most prominent natural feature of Albany County and a geologic resource of international importance. The Historic Crounse Property includes one of the steepest slopes in the MHLC land portfolio, with a roughly 900 foot elevation gain from top to bottom. The protection of this property preserves land adjacent to Thacher State Park, increasing the size of the forested landscape that draws nearly one million visitors each year....Visitors to Thacher Park can experience the same rural landscape that would have greeted families, farmers, and soldiers in the 18th century.

(Submitted on July 3, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York.)

3. Frederick Crounse.

"Frederick Crounse (1714-1777) was a German shoemaker who originally settled in Rhinebeck, New York.
Historic American Building Survey

5. Frederick Crounse House
However, seeking better prospects, Crounse and his wife moved west intending to go to Scoharie. However, according to the story, Crounse settled in the Rensselaerwyck area at his wife’s behest. Upon getting to the area of West Guilderland, weary from the long trip, Crounse’s wife refused to move another step. Crounse obliged his “better half” and built their home out of sod and hemlock bark on that very spot."

(Submitted on July 26, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York.)

Frederick Crounse House image. Click for full size.

Historic American Building Survey

6. Frederick Crounse House

The small wing of the home in the back made of stone is thought to be the original section of the home.

<center>"<b>Buried Here</b>" - Frederick Crounse Farm Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 15, 2011

7. "Buried Here" - Frederick Crounse Farm Cemetery

This small family cemetery plot is located a short distance behind the Crounse homestead.

Frederick Crounse Gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 15, 2011

8. Frederick Crounse Gravestone

In Memory of
Frederick Crounse
who died
April 16, 1828,
aged
81 years, 5 months and 2 days.
He was an Ensign in the Revolution.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 2,294 times since then and 167 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 3. submitted on May 5, 2024, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 16, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.