Moulton Castle – Newburyport, Maudslay Park
Growing up working on one of the oldest farms in America (run by the same family since the 1680s), my interest in local history was definitely the cause of some long-winded conversations with some of the old-timers. The farm was located adjacent to Maudslay State in park in Newburyport. In fact, the park itself used to be part of the farm before it was sold off to the Moseley family (Originally spelled Maudesleigh) around the turn of the century (1900s).
One bit of local history that always really interested me was the “Moulton Castle” that used to sit on what is now called “Castle Hill” in Maudslay State Park. To sum up, Henry Moulton was this civil war soldier. After the war, he came back and built a very real castle in Newburyport. I’ve know about it since I was a teenager, but every time I tell someone about it I always get the same response; “Yeah, right. A castle in Newburyport…”
Well, alas I have proof that can share! A close friend of mine, and son of the farmer I grew up with, just gave me what may be the “only” remaining copy of this:
It’s a poem by Charles Clinton Jones about the castle. It must have been written and printed after the castle came down, but other than that I know nothing about it. I’ve looked online for years, trying to find some sort of documentation on the castle. Literally, you’d think I was searching for the lost ark. No one seems to know it ever existed. How has something this incredible just vanished in history. I mean come on, a castle in newburyport!!
Here is the rest of the booklet:
One of the few pictures that exist of the actual Moulton Castle (I’ve seen at least two):
The poem by Charles Clinton Jones:
The back page with printer’s mark: C.S. Morse Printer
Just the back cover:
As of today, there is only an impression in the ground where the castle once was. I’ve had a coffee on the big stone front steps that are all that remain. If you look around the top of castle hill you will find them.
Other things about the castle:
- The chandelier from the front hall is hanging in my friends house
- There was a well with a miniature replica of the castle on the roof. It vanished when the castle was taken down. I’ve been looking for it since I was like 15
- After the war, every year Henry Moulton would send a ship into Boston to gather the men who fought with him. The would camp on the front lawn of the castle and celebrate for a couple weeks. From what I’ve been told by the family, they would fire off their guns and a canon while they party. I’ve even used a metal detector in “Bootleggers Field’ and pulled out some musket balls. Cool stuff
Great find! I often wonder about the structures around the Moseley Estate but haven’t had any luck online.
I actually live about 30 minutes from the estate and didn’t realize there was a castle with my last name there! A friend of mine that’s going to an event that I’m planning at the estates gave me a heads up on the castle. So I’m very intrigued, sharing the name and all, It would be awesome to find out if I’m somehow related. ^.^ I’ll have to look into it, but by chance is there somewhere where I could read the poem and see the picture a bit better? That would be so awesome.
My father has come to learn that the woman who had last been living there, was kind of odd. She didn’t want people to know about her home life or something, to the point where in her will, she asked that the buildings be torn down, but she also wanted the estate to be kept up by the state. So after the buildings where taken down, the state turned it into a park it seems.
Sure, I’ll post the poem when I get a sec. I also have some more castle images that I will scan and post at higher resolution.
I’m great friends with the family that built it (formerly Moulton). Having an interest in local history, I used to talk at great lengths about the castle, and Maudslay in general. There is so much to see in there that no one seems to really know about. Cool stuff!
There are pictures of the castle in the book “Moulton Annals” written by Henry Moulton and completed by his daughter. There is a copy of the book at the Newburyport Historical Society. The book talks at length about the castle and grounds.
Bill Moulton
MOST AWESOME!!!!! Coolest story ever. Its so amazing there…and a real treat to walk around. The chandelier is a sight to see I bet.
Thumbs up.