 Bordentown was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1852, from portions of Chesterfield Township and Mansfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.Bordentown city separated from the township in 1877 and Fieldsboro became fully independent in 1894 The township was named for founder Joseph Borden.According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 9.334 square miles (24.175 km2), including 8.515 square miles (22.053 km2) of land and 0.819 square miles (2.122 km2) of water (8.78%).