Musconetcong County, New Jersey facts for kids
Musconetcong County was an idea for a new county in New Jersey. It was never actually created. If it had been, it would have been made from parts of Hunterdon and Warren counties.
Where Musconetcong County Would Have Been
Imagine a map of western New Jersey. Musconetcong County was planned for this area. Its borders would have followed natural features like rivers. It also would have followed lines between existing townships.
The proposed county would have touched the Delaware River. This river forms the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Other important rivers for its borders included the Musconetcong River and the South Branch Raritan River. This new county would have been carved out of land that was already part of Hunterdon and Warren counties.
The History of the Idea
The idea for Musconetcong County came up in 1852. A senator named William Cowper Alexander from Mercer County introduced the plan. It was presented as Bill No. S97 in the New Jersey Senate.
The bill went through several steps. It was discussed by a special committee. It was also changed a little bit. But in the end, the Senate decided to put the bill aside. They chose to wait until the next time the Legislature met. The bill was never brought up again after that. So, Musconetcong County remained just an idea.
Towns That Would Have Been Included
If Musconetcong County had been created, these five towns would have been part of it:
- Alexandria Township
- Bethlehem Township
- Franklin Township
- Greenwich Township
- Phillipsburg Township (which is now called Lopatcong Township)
Over time, some of these original towns were divided into smaller ones. These newer towns would also have been part of Musconetcong County:
- Alpha
- Bloomsbury
- Clinton (part of it)
- Frenchtown (part of it)
- Glen Gardner (part of it)
- Hampton (part of it)
- Holland Township
- Lopatcong Township (formerly Phillipsburg Township)
- Milford
- Phillipsburg
- Pohatcong Township
- Union Township
