Freeman Farm
A Brief History: It is said that the Freeman Family came to America on the Abigail, which is said to have tagged along with the second voyage of the Mayflower. Upon arrival in the new world, part of the family settled on a small farm leased by Philip Schuylar in 1769 in upstate New York. During the American Revolutionary War John Freeman and his son Thomas, both loyal to the British crown enlisted in the British Army. John Freeman served as a guide for General Burgoyne’s Army and Thomas served in Jessup’s Corp. Kings Loyal American Rangers. Little did father and son know that on Sept 19, 1777 the most crucial battle of the American Revolution would be fought on there homestead. The Battle of Saratoga was fought twice first on Sept 19, 1777 and again on Oct 7, 1777. On September 19, 1777 Gen Burgoyne marched his Army south to engage the American Continental Army and cut them off from the New England colonies near Freeman’s Farm. Col. Daniel Morgan and his sharpshooters were waiting to ambush. Morgan’s sharpshooters killed or wounded most of the British officers. As the British lines began to break the main body of British troops arrived and the fighting throughout the day was heavy. As the day drew to a close the Americans withdrew from the field suffering 90 casualties and around 200 wounded. The British suffered much worse, 440 casualties and around 700 wounded.
On October 7, 1777 the second battle was fought on and near Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights. General Burgoyne had almost 5,000 men ready for battle and marched forward once again. He sent 1,500 men forward while keeping the remainder near Bemis Heights. The British Army clashed with the Americans including Col. Daniel Moergan’s sharpshooters. As the American lines started to break apart General Benedict Arnold appeared on the field with a fresh Brigade of American troops who pushed the British back to there redoubts on Freeman’s Farm. On October 17, 1777 General Burgoyne, surrounded and without reinforcements surrendered his British Army.
During both battles, Freeman’s Farm was the Headquarters for General Burgoyne and the British Army. His defeat at Saratoga is known as the turning point of the American Revolutionary War and this key battle was fought on Freeman’s Farm.
Haunted History: The claims here are not much different than any other battlefield. There are sounds of gunfire and cannon fire when there are no reenactments for the day. Tourists have claims to see soldiers walking along the farmlands and then just disappear. People have also claimed to hear the sounds of men yelling and drums heard.