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.

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.

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.

Built in 1798 and originally named Torrent of Roxbury, Massachusetts, the hand pumper was moved to Bradford in 1828 and renamed Engine 2.

Since Groveland is primarily a bedroom community, there is considerable traffic during the commute drive time.

However, once the rush is over, the town reverts to a sleepy village, with children and some grownups riding their bicycles about and walking.

Today visitors can walk along new sidewalks lit at night by new versions of the park's original lampposts.

A new fountain resembling the original, a gazebo much like the old Methodist meeting house that sat at the south end of the park, and a new clock adorn the grounds.

A large stone sign and monuments to local veterans depict some of the park and town's history.

The first town post office was established in 1810 in Bradford, and was located in Squire Greenough's store on Main Street.

Benjamin Parker, who relocated the post office, at first, to his own store, and then to the blacksmith shop near the Haverhill Bridge.

After the town of Groveland was established in 1850, a new post office was built approximately half a mile from the present location on Main Street.

[3] The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority operates bus routes through town.

There is a Peter Pan bus that goes to North Station that picks up/drops off at The Tea Garden, the Chinese food restaurant and bar in town.

Most all of the meetings on important town issues in which the public are expected to participate are held after normal "working hours."

The large windows in front expose a showroom containing historic artifacts, including the famous "VETO No.

It is also responsible for conducting water and ice rescue in addition to providing numerous emergency medical service calls.

Fire personnel undergo rigorous and diversified training on an ongoing basis in order to develop the skills necessary to provide the services needed in a rapidly growing community.

The department's equipment and manpower is designed to be flexible, efficient, effective, and tailored to addressing the specific community needs.

[19] Groveland is a member of the Pentucket Regional School District, which includes the towns of West Newbury and Merrimac.

The town supports baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, picnic areas and parks, as well as boating facilities on the Merrimack River.