The Frazee Farm
Franklin Township, New Jersey

The Frazee Farm

I think the most historical place in Franklin Township is the Frazee Farm. The farm is on the corner of Sidney Road and Pittstown Road. I live next door to the farm, and we think at one time our property was part of the farm. There is a big red barn, two silos, a small barn and an old farmhouse still standing on the 125 acres of property. There is also a big, old tree that many people take pictures of.

The first recorded sale was in 1771 when John Chamberlin bought it at a Sheriff’s sale. Eugene Frazee bought the farm in l 929 and also bought a herd of cows and made it a dairy farm. Helen and John Frazee bought the property from Eugene in 1947 and continued diary farming until 1970 when John died. Mrs. Frazee’s brothers grew hay and sold it to mushroom farmers in Pennsylvania. I think it is interesting that it has been in the same family for over 83 years and still can be used as a farm. Farming was very important in Franklin Township I think it is important to preserve some of our town’s history.

The township has just purchased the farm for 1 million dollars. They will sell the house and barns to another farmer. They will preserve the 57 acres of wetlands because two endangered species of turtles have a habitat there. The two species of turtles are Bog turtles and Wood turtles. I am happy that they are not going to destroy the farm because I think it is important to keep historical places, buildings, and things standing so everyone can learn about them. Many people have owned the farm and they have all taken very good care of it.

Recently there was a pile of hay on the property and someone set it on fire.

Meaghan
Spring, 2002