A Look Back in Time: Middlesex County Government in 1776 What did Middlesex County — and Middlesex County government — look like 250 years ago? Much different than it does in 2026. Established in March 1683 as one of the original counties in the Province of East Jersey, by 1776 Middlesex County was at the crossroads of the American Revolution. In 1775, Middlesex County joined other counties in holding a convention to elect representatives to New Jersey’s Provincial Congress. This transitional government replaced British rule and drafted the state’s first constitution in 1776. When the Provincial Congress was in recess, urgent business was handled by the Committee of Safety, which was appointed by the Provincial Congress to act as a de facto executive, including passing laws and managing wartime affairs. Local governance continued through township meetings, which elected delegates and managed community affairs.
Now and Then
2026 Board of County Commissioners Reorganization of the
Dignitaries including then-Governor Phil Murphy, then- Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, and Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin addressed the audience, sharing messages of support for Middlesex County. Delivering the evening’s keynote address, Rios reflected on 2025 as a year of action, highlighting the County’s progress on several key initiatives such as the CIO Plan, the HELIX, the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, and the renovation of the New Brunswick Train Station. He also shared the Board’s vision for 2026, affirming that it will be a year when many of the County’s plans are brought to fruition. From grand openings of several current projects to continued investments in education, infrastructure, arts and culture, and transportation, Rios stated that 2026 will be another transformative year for Middlesex County, as it becomes a leading destination for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
ESTABLISHED March 7, 1683 as one of the original counties in the Province of East Jersey
On Wednesday, January 7, the Board of County Commissioners held its annual Reorganization Meeting at the Middlesex College Performing Arts Center. The event featured the swearing-in ceremonies of newly re-elected County Commissioners Claribel A. Azcona- Barber, Charles Kenny, and Chanelle Scott McCullum as well as Constitutional Officers County Clerk Nancy J. Pinkin and County Sheriff Mildred S. Scott. As part of its reorganization, the Board once again selected County Commissioners Ronald G. Rios and Shanti Narra to serve as its Director and Deputy Director, respectively. “2026 will galvanize this region,” said Rios. “Middlesex County is, and will continue to be, an economic powerhouse in New Jersey… and now a sought-after destination in the Northeast.”
NAMED AFTER Middlesex County, England
FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN 1776 Provincial Congress
1762 William Franklin is appointed Royal Governor of the Province of New Jersey by the British crown. He takes office in 1763 and resides at the
POPULATION IN 1776: APPROXIMATELY 12,000
Then-Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill addressed the crowd at the County’s 2026 Reorganization Meeting
1774 Middlesex County hosts meeting of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey in New Brunswick
1775 Middlesex County elects representatives to New Jersey’s
governor’s mansion in Perth Amboy.
Provincial Congress
Son of Benjamin Franklin
(Image courtesy of allthingsliberty.com)
DECEMBER 1776 — JUNE 1777
British troops occupy Middlesex County
JULY 2, 1776 New Jersey adopts its first state constitution
43 OF 69 DAMAGE CLAIMS filed were for local delegates whose homes or property were burned or looted by the British.
The 2026 Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners (front, L-R): County Commissioner Deputy Director Narra, County Commissioner McCullum, County Commissioner Azcona-Barber, County Commissioner Koppel; (back, L-R): County Commissioner Kenny, County Commissioner Director Rios, County Commissioner Tomaro
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4 Your Middlesex | 2026 Issue 1
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