During its time as a township , portions were taken to form Springfield Township , New Jersey , Caldwell Township , New Jersey , Orange Township , New Jersey , Bloomfield Township , New Jersey , ( March 23 , 1812 ) and Clinton Township , New Jersey . Newark was granted a Royal Charter on April 27 , 1713 , and was incorporated as one of New Jersey 's initial 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21 , 1798 . During its time as a township , portions were taken to form Springfield Township ( April 14 , 1794 ) , Caldwell Township ( February 16 , 1798 , now known as Fairfield Township ) , Orange Township ( November 27 , 1806 ) , Bloomfield Township ( March 23 , 1812 ) and Clinton Township ( April 14 , 1834 , remainder reabsorbed by Newark on March 5 , 1902 ) .