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Groveland, Massachusetts

Groveland, Massachusetts
Old Bates Bridge on the Merrimack River
Old Bates Bridge on the Merrimack River
Flag of
Flag
Official seal of
Seal
Location in Essex County in Massachusetts
Location in Essex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°45′37″N 71°01′55″W / 42.76028°N 71.03194°W / 42.76028; -71.03194Coordinates: 42°45′37″N 71°01′55″W / 42.76028°N 71.03194°W / 42.76028; -71.03194
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Essex
Settled 1639
Incorporated 1850
Government
 • Type Open town meeting
Area
 • Total 9.4 sq mi (24.4 km2)
 • Land 9.0 sq mi (23.2 km2)
 • Water 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km2)
Elevation 48 ft (15 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 6,459
 • Density 690/sq mi (260/km2)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 01834
Area code(s) 351 / 978
FIPS code 25-27620
GNIS feature ID 0618298
Website www.grovelandma.com

Groveland is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is thirty-four miles north of Boston. At the 2010 census, it had a population of 6,459. The town is divided into two precincts, Groveland and South Groveland.

Groveland was originally the East Parish of Bradford, which was originally part of the town of Rowley. Before Bradford was separated from Rowley in 1672, it was called "Rowley on the Merrimack", or just "Merrimack". Bradford in turn was annexed by Haverhill in 1897 after a bloody and violent conflict. Groveland officially incorporated as a separate town on September 9, 1850. Groveland residents celebrate the anniversary of this date as Groveland Day.

In December 1638, after seventeen years of service, the Reverend Ezekiel Rogers was discharged from his post as rector of the parish of Rowley in Yorkshire, England. He had refused to read "that accursed book allowing sports on the Lord's Day." Believing the future of Puritanism was at stake, he and the members of twenty families sailed for the New World. Within these families were people of means and learning, including farmers, weavers, carpenters, and smiths. They landed at Salem, Massachusetts, but did not attempt to make a settlement until the following spring. The first printing press brought to America was on board that same ship, the John.

Since there were no plantations left along the coastline, Reverend Rogers settled a tract of land between Ipswich and Newbury, where a land boom had developed. These two towns had already established grants on this tract, so the newcomers were required to purchase them for £800. Reverend Rogers's settlement was established in modern-day Rowley. Named Roger's Plantation and later Rowley after the English town, the initial settlement comprised sixty families. In September 1639, the town incorporated, and included the territory now occupied by Rowley, Georgetown, Groveland, Boxford, and Bradford.


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