Henry William Moulton (1833 - 1896)

Born 3 May 1833 in Ossipee, Strafford, New Hampshire, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 13 May 1896 at age 63 in Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, United States

Biography

"Henry William Moulton was born in Ossipee, New Hampshire, in May of 1833. He was a descendant of the Moultons who were among the early settlers of Newbury and were pioneers in the silver-smithing industry in Newbury as early as 1690 and continuing in Newburyport until at least the mid-1800s.

As a young man, he traveled to China and then to San Francisco, where he taught English to Chinese immigrants.

Soon after this, while still a young man, he settled in Newburyport living on High Street. He soon began investing his inherited wealth in local real estate, particularly in the North End. Moulton Street was named for him in 1861.

During the Civil War he was named captain of the 32nd Regiment of the Massachusetts Infantry. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1865 and served one term. He married Susan Whittemore of Boston and they had several children.

One parcel of land he had purchased was of several acres and was located at the very end of Ferry Road sitting high above the Merrimack River with spectacular views. In 1868 he decided to construct a home on the property.

His choice of home design was unlike anything the city had ever seen before or since, for that matter. The home was of three stories, contained 22 rooms and two tall towers facing the river and Amesbury’s Point Shore. It became known as the Moulton Castle.

On the Fourth of July 1869, he entertained 500 guests there. This was the first of many gatherings held through the years that brought dignitaries from all walks of life, including high-ranking government officials from this country and China. Mr. Moulton also always welcomed local area folks to visit the property and ascend the towers to enjoy the views.

During the administration of President Ulysses Grant, Moulton was appointed United States marshal for the state of Idaho. He and his family spent four years in the Mountain State. During his absence, Sir Edward Thornton, the British consul to the United States, and his family summered at the castle for the four years, the only residents not of the Moulton family to reside there.

Of all the gatherings he hosted at the castle, his most cherished was in the summer of 1883 when he entertained his former comrades of the 32nd Infantry Regiment. They came from far and wide and greatly enjoyed their captain’s hospitality.

Sometime after 1892 Mr. Moulton moved from the castle to a large house at the corner of Moseley Avenue and Moulton Street, which he also owned. The move was probably prompted by health issues.

Mr. Moulton died at his house on May 13, 1896, at the age of 63 and he was laid to rest in the Belleville Cemetery." ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.newburyportnews.com/opinion/henry-moulton-builder-of-newburyports-only-castle/article_1bc2575a-4a0e-5284-aa84-a6932e521798.html

• "Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NWQ4-NYL : 6 April 2020), Henry W. Moulton, 13 May 1896; citing Newburyport, Massachusetts, v 463 p 561, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 961,518.

• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH6F-7C6 : 8 September 2017), Henry W Moulton, Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district ED 228, sheet 538B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,532.

• "Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NWBK-1Z9 : 24 May 2018), Henry William Moulton and Susan F. Whittemore, 2 May 1855; citing Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,433,013.

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWZ8-VG6 : 5 April 2020), William Moulton in household of Alvah Moulton, Ossipee, Carroll, New Hampshire, United States; citing family 290, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).