1 88 FACTS RELATING TO GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 



paper was carried on. During more than a century there has 

 been a dam at this place across the river, and in early times 

 there was, also, a ford known as the Stony Fordway or Stony 

 Wading-place. Among the Massachusetts Archives at the 

 State House is a rough plan, made probably about the year 

 1740, which gives the names of the bridges, etc., in this neigh- 

 borhood, at that period. It is found in the volume marked 

 on the back " Maps and Plans " (XVI. 6), and bears the 

 catalogue number 1482. 



About the year 1846 the property, on which stood these 

 several mills, was sold to the brothers John Mark and Lyman 

 Hollingsworth ; and on September i, 185 1, Lyman sold his 

 share to the other brother, John Mark, who rebuilt the paper- 

 mill, making it of brick, but the building was very soon after- 

 ward burned. The following item is taken from the " Boston 

 Daily Journal," Monday, June 7, 1852: 



Paper Mill Burnt. We learn that a paper-mill, dwelling- 

 house and out-buildings adjoining, situated in Groton, and owned- 

 by Mr. J. M. Hollingsworth, were totally consumed by fire on 

 Saturday [June 5]. 



The mill was at once rebuilt, and soon again in operation. 



J8^-J. M. Hollingsworth's extensive and costly paper mills, at 

 Groton Junction [Paper Mill Village], are nearly ready to go into 

 operation. Mr. H. intends to manufacture first quality book paper, 

 employing about 35 hands. 



" Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," May 20, 1853. 



On March 7, 1865, Mr. Hollingsworth, just before his death 

 on April 6 of that year, sold the property to his brother Ly- 

 man ; and eleven years later it was burnt for the second time. 

 The "Boston Evening Journal," Friday, May 26, 1876, has 

 the following account of the fire : 



Mill Burnt at Groton, Mass. 



The large paper mill of Lyman Hollingsworth at North [?] 

 Groton was destroyed by fire on Thursday afternoon [May 25]. 

 It gave employment to about fifty workmen and was valued at 



