Cumberland County NJ Archives News.....Freas’ Mill Fire May 18, 1855
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West-Jersey Pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1851-1884: 26 May 1855 May 18, 1855
FIRE IN THE WOODS.
An extensive fire occurred in the neighborhood of Freas’ Mill, in Franklin township,
last week attended with the loss of life. The following letter from Malaga, gives
the particulars:
Malaga, N. J. May 18.
Mr. Editor—A fire broke out in the pines about four miles from this place, on the
afternoon of the 16th ult., which caused considerable damage to property through
which it passed. It was very dry, and the flames spread rapidly; to use the words of
an eye witness, “ it run as fast as a horse could gallop.” A colliery of twenty-five
or thirty pits, belonging to Mr. Robert Wilson, was almost entirely consumed. His
sawmill, called Frieze’s Mill, narrowly escaped destruction. The houses near the
mill being on fire several times. Mr. W. loses about $2000.
All the cabins in the several colings through which the fire passed were entirely
consumed. An Irishman, his wife and son, found themselves completely hemmed in. His
only chance for safety, was to rush through the wall of flame, enjoining his son (a
lad11 years of age,) to follow. He took his wife by the hand and ran through,
escaping with a few slight burns. The lad was so terrified, that, instead of
following his father, he went back to the cabin; he was soon surrounded by the fire
and perished. His remains were found the next morning.
A laborer in the colings saved himself by jumping down a well, his face and hands
are burned. Another man remained in his cabin, hoping to save it, but the heat was
so intense that he was compelled to leave. He ran upwards of a mile, his clothes
catching almost every moment; he succeeded in getting through, but is terribly
burned. His wife left the shanty about half an hour before the fire came up. She has
not been heard of since, and it is presumed she has perished in the flames.
Fortunately a heavy rain fell the same evening, which checked the progress of the
fire, otherwise the damage to property would have been tenfold.

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