In 1796, one of the later grantees, Samuel Blood, succeeded in renaming the town after his hometown, Groton, Massachusetts.

[3][4] Groton's surface is uneven, although farmers found the soil arable for growing corn and potatoes.

A branch of the Baker River in the north, together with several small streams feeding Newfound Lake in the south, provided water power for mills.

[5] Although not open to the public, the Palermo Mine in North Groton is noted for its minerals.

[1] The highest point in Groton is the summit of Tenney Mountain, at 2,350 feet (720 m) above sea level.

The Cockermouth River, a tributary of Newfound Lake, flows from west to east across the center of the town.