House dating from 1670s up for sale

A bit of Newburyport history is for sale.

The Toppan-Dodge House, circa 1670, is on the market for $1.39 million, with owners Suzi and Dave Maddocks returning to their native Oregon.

"If we could, we'd pick it up and take it with us," said Dave, who came to the area six years ago to work for Converse in North Andover and is resigning as chief marketing officer.

"It's just time," Dave said of the move. "Family is so important to us and we want to be near everyone, and they are all West ."

Suzi and Dave have three children, ages 6, 4, and 10 months. And, Suzi said, they are excited about being closer to grandparents and cousins.

Still, she said, leaving Newburyport is "heartbreaking."

"Part of it is the house and part of it is the community," Suzi said. "We love it here."

The next family to own the house will be only the fifth in its 337-year history.

The house, which sits on Toppans Lane between High and Low streets, was built by English settler Abraham Toppan as a gift for his son Jacob and Jacob's new wife, Hannah Sewall.

Hannah was the sister of Judge Samuel Sewall, who was one of the judges in the 1692 Salem witch trials .

The house was owned and occupied by descendants of Jacob Toppan well into the 20th century. It was next owned by the Dodge family, then the O'Reilly family, and remained a working farm until the 1990s.

Developer Terry Jones bought the 15-acre farm, subdivided the property, and renovated the Toppan-Dodge House with new electrical and plumbing systems. He hadn't quite gotten to cosmetic renovations when the Maddocks family came on the scene in 2003, after living in a Newburyport condominium for two years.

"It took a little imagination because it had been sitting empty," said Dave. "When we bought it there were leaves in the living room."

Still, said Suzi, "It felt homey, even empty like that."

The fireplace, one of seven in the house, has two ovens and leather straps for storing a musket over the mantel. There are hand-hewn beams, original wood paneling and hardware, and hand-crafted details throughout the 10-room house. The property includes an attached carriage house and a barn, which serves as a three-car garage.

In the 1980s, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

But it also has modern conveniences.

There's a new kitchen, with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; four updated bathrooms; four bedrooms, including a guest suite; an upstairs office; a family room; and a computer center. There's also central air conditioning and a security system.

"Everything under the skin is new in this house," said Dave. "All the wiring, all the plumbing. The furnace is a couple of years old. There is nothing in here that has been in service longer than the last few years."

A new bluestone terrace and gardens complete the backyard.

Margaret Cargill of Carlson GMAC Real Estate in Newburyport was involved in the sale of the house to the Maddocks and is again listing the property. "When people see the word 'antique' they think old and not for today's living," she said. "This house is certainly updated. There is nothing like it on the North Shore."

Over the years, the original house was expanded . It is now 4,600 square feet and described by Cargill as "a rambling Colonial."

While the Maddocks fell in love with the house immediately, Dave said its history "has meant more to us as we've lived here. It's fun knowing a lot of lives have been lived in here."

For their move, the Maddocks have bought a house built in 1925, which Suzi said, "is old for Portland, Oregon."

As for the Toppan-Dodge House, Dave said, "It found us and it will find its buyer." He said he hopes it's "someone who knows they are buying something they have to care for."

"Part of owning a house like this is you want to try to protect a national treasure," Dave added. "We are all custodians of history, right?"

For more on the Toppan-Dodge House, call 978-758-2444.