- Built
- c. 1730
- Style
- Greek Revival Colonial
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.268 ↗
- Formerly
- 258 Merrimac Street
History
The house, which was initially a Georgian swelling with a pitched roof, a symmetrical five-bay facade, and a simple entrance porch, has been extensively altered. A tower was added to the entrance porch during the late nineteenth century, largely obscuring the original character of the house’s facade.
The building has been covered with aluminum siding, and the original window sash has been replaced. This house retains the original pilasters flanking the front doorway. At one time, these pilasters probably supported a classically-inspired pediment.
This house was built by Samuel Moggridge, a shipbuilder. Moggridge arrived in what was then part of Newbury in the early eighteenth century to acquire ship masts for the English interest. He and his heirs built ships in this area, called Moggrdige’s Point, for over one hundred years. This house was built during the second half of the eighteenth century. The Moggridge shipyard was finally sold at auction in 1862. Other shipbuilders that worked in the Moggridge yard included Orlando B. Merrill, inventor of the water line model. In 1813, the U.S. Warship “Wasp” was built by Merrill in Moggridge’s Point.
In 1851, the owner of this house was Ebenezer Savory (my new favorite name), a schoolteacher. He had a school for Boys on the lower floor of the Newburyport Academy in 1840. The 1872 Plan of the City of Newburyport lists John or Joseph Worthen as the owner. Both men were ship carpenters living at 2 Woodland Street.
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 61-7 · Zone WMD
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. 1730, 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 →
From the archive
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.268
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 3b (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)