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

Battle of Normanskill

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 5, 2011

1. Battle of Normanskill Marker

Inscription. Fought north of the creek Schenectady Militia with 40 Rhode Island troops dispersed large group of Tories on August 11, 1777

Erected 1954 by New York State Education Department.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.

Location. 42° 42.15′ N, 73° 56.699′ W. Marker is in Guilderland, New York, in Albany County. Marker is on New York State Route 146, 0.1 miles east of Ostrander Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Guilderland NY 12084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Vale of Tawasentha (approx. 0.4 miles away); Palatine Road (approx. 0.4 miles away); Farm of Evert Bancker (approx. 0.8 miles away); Freeman House (approx. 0.9 miles away); House Built 1802 (approx. one mile away); Guilderland Town Hall (approx. 1.1 miles away); French's Hollow (approx. 1.2 miles away); Case Homestead (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guilderland.

Regarding Battle of Normanskill. The Battle of Normanskill, named for the nearby creek, occured in August of 1777, was a skirmish between Continental militia and Tories who sought to disrupt

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or intercept supplies headed to Continental troops in Saratoga. It was fought on the farm of Sgt. Nicholas Van Patten along the Normanskill near the Banker (Bunker) Hill Bridge and French's mill dam just five weeks prior to the Battle of Saratoga and was the only Revolutionary War battle that occurred in Albany County. Van Patten was one of the Tories captured and taken to Albany as a prisoner, but was released and later became a patriot. Captain Jacob Shermerhorm was commanding the 2nd Regiment of the Albany County Militia and who were joined by rebel sympathizers. The Tories were found hiding in Van Patten's barn. Tradition has it that they were hiding in the hay. A few wellplaced bayonet jabs brought forth cries that exposed their presence.

Another account, by the author of a local history published in 1845 states the following: "On the 13th of August (1777)...Lt. Col. Schermerhorn proceeded to Norman's Kill with a body of Schenectady Militia and 40 Rhode Island troops...in all about 100 men...to root up a Tory gathering at that place. The expedition was very successful. David Springer, a noted royalist, was killed, thirteen of his comrades captured, the remainder dispersed, and confidence again restored, where all was doubt and disaffection, without the loss of a single man on the part of the Americans."

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 23, 2007

2. Battle of Normanskill Marker

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 5, 2011

3. Battle of Normanskill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 5,198 times since then and 188 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.