Chatham, MA —
The story of a local family

How many small towns in America can say they have been the centerfold of National Geographic magazine? Or how about the famous Red Sox legend, Ted Williams throwing out the first pitch on the 4th of July? Or the Discovery TV Channel filming here for Shark Week?
 
Chatham, MA can!

Ever heard the Patti Page hit, “Old Cape Cod?” “If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air, church bells ringing on a Sunday morn, you sure to fall in love with old Cape Cod..” First penned as a poem by a Boston housewife on a Cape Cod beach during her summer vacation, it soon became part of Patti Page’s famous song. Not long after in 1962, Ted Williams, the famous Red Sox player, was the guest of honor at our 250th anniversary, throwing out the first pitch at Chatham’s 4th of July baseball league game.
 
It doesn’t get much better than what we have to offer in Chatham. Family BBQs, friends visiting to make memories for life, digging clams, winter sunsets at the town landings, boating, fishing, or just walking the beach in the morning with coffee collecting shells. I know the feeling exactly.

"When I cross the Bridges at the Cape Cod Canal and feel my blood pressure drop, I take a big deep breath of salt air and say…yes I have arrived!"

Life is good, Cape Cod is a world unto itself…and YES, that is good!
 
As a Chatham native and 12th- generation direct descendent from 1600’s Nickerson founder of Chatham, this song is in my bones and salt water runs in my blood. I grew up in North Chatham running through the fields and salt marshes, swimming, fishing and sailing around Chatham harbor and Pleasant Bay. When I hear Patti Page’s ‘Old Cape Cod,’ I think of my “great-grand-grammas” stories of sailing with her father, Captain Taylor on his China Clipper in the 1800’s. Grampa Edwards digging in his specially-deeded quahog bed or riding his bike to Boston on dirt roads. Gramma and Grampa Nick running the old Harbor Inn, a summer hotel with timeless family recipes being served in the dining room, probably by me or one of my cousins. My Dad played saxophone in the Chatham Bank for 60 years. Chatham is “(Norman) Rockwellian” to it’s core.
 
As for my 12th-generation family history, I am the building chairperson for our Nickerson Family genealogical Society building. We have a nonprofit Nickerson Family Association, with reunions every year where they come from all over the country. Our library of genealogical records was in a private home of an elderly member and we had to find a permanent building to house it all. So as a realtor, I did a search and back in the early 1990's we bought a piece of land in Chatham Port, near the original cabin of William and Anne Nickerson. We built a house which is now a working library and another antique home houses the working museum and garden, both on this property. We have recently been part of an archeological dig that has gleamed clay pipes and blacksmith artifacts and Indian pieces, so we realize we are now actually housed on the original land of the founder. Quite amazing! It is very exciting. They were the progenitors of over 50,000 Nickersons now because they had 10 children that lived, 8 of them boys.

Featured Listings

504 Old Harbor Road, Chatham, MA

$12,900,000
Magnificent eight bedroom mansion from days gone by designed by Architect Edward Sears Read. Perched on a hill overlooking Chatham Harbor, North Beach, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Almost 300 feet of sandy private beach described by an article on CNN as ''one of the top 9 secret beaches in NORTH AMERICA''. Three acres of land has room for expansion, a guest house, a pool, and/or a tennis court. A true forever, family compound within an easy walk to downtown Chatham or Chatham Bars Inn. Must see the whole property, inside and out, to fully appreciate the surroundings, the privacy of the three acres, the 300 feet of beach, the eight bedrooms, the six fireplaces, and the miles of views to the north, south, and east. And what a spectacular, one of a kind property owned by the same family since the 1940's. Opinion of some people in town is that this is the nicest property in Chatham......You decide......

16 MacMillan Pier, Provincetown, MA

$11,000,000
Over 400 feet of DEEPWATER DOCK space. Where else on Cape Cod can you buy a 4 bedroom home and dock your 125' luxury yacht? (Hint: it doesn't exist!)This is your opportunity to own one of the most iconic, valuable & unique properties on the East Coast. There's not enough hyperbole in the thesaurus to describe the ever-changing water views from every window at 16 McMillan Wharf. Currently listed at a 76% discount to recent *Non-waterfront home sold in Provincetown. Massive arbitrage opportunity. Luxury renovation would add tremendous value. We've included virtual designs to peak your curiosity. This mixed use property also generates a healthy income stream. Experience sunrise and sunset over the water, whales breaching, migrating water fowl, world class dining, world-class fishing, the natural beauty of storm clouds traversing the sky, dappled morning light, sandy beaches, bike paths and hiking trails. Bring your yacht, architect, creative genius & immerse your friends & family in a waterfront experience that truly doesn't exist elsewhere. We strongly suggest you experience 16 McMillan wharf in person. Buyers & buyers agents to verify all information.

105 Low Beach Road, Nantucket (Sconset), MA

$14,995,000
Set on over 6 acres at the end of Low Beach, sits this ultimate private retreat. This property enjoys breathtaking views over sand dunes to the ocean beyond, Tom Nevers pond and backs up to 300+ acres of conservation land. Sit on the front porch and take in the sea breeze and calming sounds of the pond and ocean, or relax out back in the private outdoor pool and outdoor kitchen/dining gazebo. Kick off your shoes, breathe, relax and enjoy the serenity that this special property has to offer.

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