The origin of the name and the exact date of the township's creation is in dispute. One source says that the township was named for the University of Oxford in England, and was formed in either 1753 or 1755,Snell, James P. (1881) History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Vol. 2 (Centennial ed., Harmony, NJ: Harmony Press, 1981) pg. 606 but other sources claim that the township was named after an early settler named John Axford, who came to settle in the area with others between 1735 and 1739, and affirms that the township's creation was in 1755.Harpster, Richard E. Historical Sites of Warren County. (Warren County Tercentenary Committee and Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, New Jersey, 1965) pg. 127Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 16, 2015.
The origin of the name and the exact date of the township's creation is in dispute One source says that the township was named for the University of Oxford in England and was formed in either 1753 or 1755Snell James P (1881) History of Sussex and Warren Counties New Jersey With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers Vol 2 (Centennial ed Harmony NJ Harmony Press 1981) pg 606 but other sources claim that the township was named after an early settler named John Axford who came to settle in the area with others between 1735 and 1739 and affirms that the township's creation was in 1755Harpster Richard E Historical Sites of Warren County (Warren County Tercentenary Committee and Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders New Jersey 1965) pg 127Hutchinson Viola L The Origin of New Jersey Place Names New Jersey Public Library Commission May 1945 Accessed September 16 2015