Many early deeds on River St. refer to the road from Daniel Poor's house to Andrew Stimpson's dwelling house (#22). River St. was also the Way to Wilmington or the Wilmington Road. River Street was developed in 1844 as Ballardvale Mills required housing for its employees.

This property was once owned by John Marland and sold to Peter Murphy on Jan. 1, 1846. A John Murphy of Worcester, MA later look Marland, Dole and Calder to court on a Bill of Equity on the property owed John Murphy. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Murphy's favor and the property went to him. It was sold at auction to Benjamin F> Watson, wife Rebecca on June 28, 1853 for $1200. It included "a story & half dwelling house, & L and wood shed." Watson was a Lawrence attorney and later sold the house to Geirge R> Hill of Lawrence a merchant on Sept. 11, 1854. Hill borrowed $500. in a mortgage loan for Edward H. Mead of Concord, NH on Dec. 21, 1854 with a promise to pay back a year later. Hill defaulted on the loan and Mead foreclosed in 1856.

Samuel M. Richardson, of Lawrence, MA , a stable keeper bought the house and property at auction on Feb. 18, 1856. He then sold the property back to Benjamin Watson a month later. Watson paid $500 and held the property for seven years. Most likely income property rented to mill workers. Thomas Cavanaugh purchased the home on Feb. 7, 1863. Cavanaugh paid $600. and took two loans out, one for $400. from Barnard McInroe on March 14, 1863. and one with Patrick Keegan for $132.50 on Oct. 27, 1866.

Thomas Cavanaugh died and his estate went eaqually to his children, Bernard J. of RI, Thomas F. of NH, Michael Cavanaugh of Andover and Bridget Lynch. The brothers then sold their shares to their sister Bridget on Aug. 16, 1886 for $450.