This property was once owned by the Ballard Vale Co., John Marland Agent. Marland sold the lot to John L. Webster, wife Mary Ann, a Spinner. on May 1, 1840. The 1850 Andover Valuation Schedule lists Webster's property in West Parish, p. 40, Dwelling house & barn $325., 56 acres adjoining building $1120, 4 ace pasture $56 and Red house $100. Farm stock and money $392. John Webster moved to Lawrence, MA and sold this property, with buildings for $622.50 to Richard Boynton of Lawrence, MA on May 10, 1852. Boynton had purchased 8 acres 119 rods of land from John B. Mann, wife Susan F, a Salem, MA, a "Trader" and heir of John Mann who had owned the property prior to his death on Nov. 17, 1846. The deed refers to the parcel as "Long Hollow". which included river frontage.

Richard Boynton acquired two more parcels, one from John D. Flagg for $60. of 1 acre 109 rods in 1853 and the fourth lot from Susanna Johnson, executrix of the Dr. Samuel Johnson estate. Susanna sold on July 16, 1858. The references on the road "from Ballardvale to Chandler's bridge". She states Boynton's property does not include the land flooded by the river and she keeps the privilege to cut ice.

Richard Boynton was born in Yorkshire, England on June 15, 1817, son of John & Margaret Boynton. John arrived in Boston on Feb. 22, 1844. and located in Lawrence, prior to moving to Ballardvale to work in the mills as a wool sorter and spinner. Richard was first married to Mrs. Mary Catherine (Chapman) Chappell. Catherine was born in Belgium about 1809, daughter of John & Margaret Chapman. John & Catherine did not have children. Catherine died on May 7, 1872 at age 63. Being in ill health, she made he will in April 1871, leaving her estate to her two children Charles Chappell and Rosina Leonard in equal 1/2 shares.

Richard Boynton remarried the following month to Mrs. Rebecca Constantine, age 58. born in England, daughter of James & Phebe Roper. This waas the second marriage for both. It appers from the deeds that Catherine's children got this home at 41 River St. and Richard & Rebecca lived in the other house to the south. The 1884 map of Ballardvale labels the two properties as Mrs. Leonard and Mrs. R. Boynton. Richard deeds the property to Rebecca in March 1879, with a life tenancy, but on October 6th, then deeds it to her. Richard died on Dec. 10, 1879 of Cystitis at age 74 and is most likely interred at Christ Church Cemetery.

Mary "Catherine" Boynton's daughter Rosina (Chappell) Leonard inherits one half of the house and brother Charles Chappell the other. Rosina married John Leonard, a blacksmith and were residing here in 1884.

Owners by date:
1856 R. Boynton, 2 buildings
1860 Richard Boynton, taxed, 2 dwelling houses, barn and land adjoining (12 acres) = $900, farm stock = 40
1872 R. Boynton, 3 buildings

1880 Mrs. Rose Leonard, house $700, 1/2 land $200, Ellis House $600, 1/8 land $25
1888 R. Leonard, house and shed $900, new house $400, 1/2 land $300, Ellis house $700, 1/8 land $50, blacksmith shop $400, 1/4 land $175
1900 Mrs. Rosalie Leonard, House Ellis River Street $400, 1/8 land on river Street $50
1906 Mrs. R. Leonard
1910 No Leonard

1885-6 John H. Leonard - Blacksmith of Tewksbury Ballardvale
1891 "
1897 - 1898 John Leonard at Tewksbury - John and Roselle Leonard came to Ballardvale in the 1840's
Rosalie may be daughter

1949 Abbot, Ethel
1953 - 1955 Meinicki
1956 - 1958 - #51 Kannegieser
1959 - #39 Kannegieser
1960 - #41 Kannegieser
1961 - #41 Foresta

(per Ruth Sharpe 23 Jul 1997) - #41 River St., a two family dwelling - always a rental, Frank Ward Grandfather 1890, Trautman
More information sheets, not clear what they mean