- Built
- c. 1872
- Style
- Victorian Victorian Eclectic
- MACRIS
- NWB.1190 ↗
History
The house at 16 Chapel Street is a well-preserved Victorian Eclectic, sidehall-plan dwelling constructed circa 1870. The building is a two-story, wood-framed structure with a brick foundation, clapboard siding, and a front-gabled roof. Its façade displays the vertical proportions characteristic of modest late-19th-century residential construction in Newburyport.
The primary elevation is three bays wide with the entrance set to the left in the traditional sidehall configuration. The pedimented front gable is punctuated by a centered triangular window with unusual cross-braced pattern muntins.
Overall, the house maintains a high degree of integrity in massing, materials, and residential character.
The parcel on which 16 Chapel Street stands was originally part of a subdivision advertised as “15 Building Lots on Chapel Street” in the Newburyport Daily Herald on May 18, 1864. Shortly afterward, on May 28, 1864, Jacob W. Pierce conveyed the lot to Henry W. Moulton (Essex Deeds 668:221). The dwelling appears to have been constructed between this date and the early 1870s, a period of significant residential growth in this section of the city.
A subsequent 1872 real-estate notice described the property as a “nice two-story House… nearly new,” containing seven rooms and ready for immediate occupancy (Newburyport Daily Herald, August 6, 1872). This description closely aligns with the house that stands today.
On July 24, 1872, Henry W. Moulton sold the property, including the dwelling “and all other buildings thereon,” to Martha E. Davis (860:117). The Davis family retained ownership into the late 19th century, followed by several conveyances that reflect long-term residential use through the 20th century. The McClure family held the property for a substantial period (1941–1988), after which title passed through multiple private owners into the early 21st century.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 62-24 · Zone R2
Zoning Board of Appeals decides
Listed as contributing in 1984, so removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, counted cumulatively since 2014 and including walls enclosed by an addition or openings filled in, needs a DCOD special permit; the Board may grant one only if the building retains no substantial remaining market value or reasonable use. The Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing siding, or windows and doors in their openings, does not count.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1872, so 75 or more years old: removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, changing the roofline (pitch, towers, cupolas, anything projecting above the roof), moving it, or adding a dormer that misses the setback and pitch rules is "demolition" under the demolition delay ordinance. The Commission holds a hearing within 30 days and may impose a delay of up to 18 months. In the DCOD the wall test goes to the Zoning Board instead; the Commission keeps roofline, roof pitch and dormer work. Parts of the building documented as younger than 75 years are excluded on a written determination by the Zoning Administrator.
Code of Ordinances ch. 5 art. X, §§5-307–5-308 (June 2026) ↗
Zoning Administrator first stop
Every project starts with a zoning determination from the Zoning Administrator, which says which of these reviews apply and whether the work also needs zoning relief (a special permit for a non-conformity, or a variance). Fees, forms and filing deadlines are on the City’s site.
Not legal advice, not an official City publication, and not the position of the Historical Commission or any board. Says what the ordinances say as of September 30, 2026; the Zoning Administrator decides what applies. Boundaries: Merrimack Valley Planning Commission / City of Newburyport GIS (MIMAP); 1984 status from the National Register nomination's district data sheets. City's quick guide to the DCOD and demolition delay ↗ · Do I need approval? Project by project →
More photos
1 view · Biff Bouse
From the archive
4 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.1190
- “Land for Sale” Newburyport Daily Herald, page 3, May 18, 1864.
- “Great Sale of Real Estate” Newburyport Daily Herald, page 4, August 6, 1872.
- “Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts.” Map. Sanborn Map Company, 1914.
- “Assessors’ Plans, City of Newburyport, Mass.” Map. Harold T. McCarthy, 1924.
- Reverse Deed Search:
- 9/22/2021 - 40301 374 - Lisa Spinelli and Pamela A. Charpentier to Lisa Spinelli
- 8/29/2008 - 28025 64 - Lisa Spineeli to Lisa Spinelli and Pamela A. Charpentier
- 7/12/1999 - 15814 558 - Anne E. Toye to Lisa Spinelli
- 5/28/1992 - 11313 49 - Gregg Von Sternberg and Margaret Von Sternberg to Anne E. Toye
- 4/15/1988 - 9474 581 - Harold P. McClure to Gregg Von Sternberg and Margaret Von Sternberg
- 8/24/1961 - 4818 138 - Elizabeth F. Dockery to Harold P. McClure and Marion L. McClure
- 8/24/1961 - 4818 137 - Harold P. McCluer to Elizabeth F. Dockery
- 6/6/1958 - 4475 261 - Elizabeth F. Dockery to John H. McClure and Harold P. McClure
- 6/6/1958 - 4475 260 - John H. McClure to Elizabeth F. Dockery
- 10/20/1941 - 3275 479 - Marjorie H. Thurlow to John H. McClure and Jennie A. McClure
- 10/20/1941 - 3275 478 - Jennie A. McClure to Marjorie H. Thurlow
- 8/24/1920 - 2461 147 - Lydia A. Davis to Jennie A. McClure
- 5/25/1892 - 1370 448 - Benjamin P. Davis to Daniel M. Davis
- 7/24/1872 - 860 117 - Henry W. Moulton to Martha E. Davis
- 5/28/1864 - 668 221 - Jacob W. Pierce to Henry W. Moulton