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 (North Chatham), MA

$16,500,000
Magnificent eight bedroom mansion from days gone by, designed by famous architect Edward Sears Read. Perched on a hill overlooking Chatham Harbor, North Beach, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Almost 300 feet of private sandy private beach described by an article in 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 Macmillian Wharf, Provincetown, MA

$9,750,000
Provincetown Crown Jewel comes to market! Unprecedented unparalleled 360* waterviews! Artists, authors & explorers, over the centuries, are drawn to this protected bountiful harbor: Nauset Tribe, Vikings, Pilgrims, McMillan, Oliver, Clifford, Thoreau... Dappled shimmering sunlight abounds from this 4 bedroom 7,800sqft mixed use property. Experience migrating whales, rare birds, Paddleboard, beaches, world class fishing, fine dining and watch sunrise and sunset over the water! Perfectly suited for large gatherings. Where else can you and 6 or 8 others dock yachts at your own Deepwater marina!?! Renovated first floor currently leased by premier nature conservancy group. This is truly a blank canvas as 'Externally Visible Artwork' depicting cultural heritage is encouraged. Current owners enjoy income from lease, rentals, marina.

15 & 17 North Water Street & 8 Sea Street, Nantucket (Town), MA

$12,495,000
Step back into history...The Easton House built in 1812 is located at 17 N Water Street and has been run by the same family and welcomed guests to this unique 3 story home for more than 100 years. The Easton House features 10 guest rooms, 10 bathrooms and a cottage/studio. Throughout the house are original baseboards, moldings and wide plank pine floorboards that have been lovingly restored to their original beauty. The Garden Cottage is an adorable studio cottage located in the back yard of the property. It is a comfortable one room cottage, covered with roses in season, and overlooking the yard and gardens of the Easton House. The Hussey House, built in 1795, is located at 15 N Water St and features 6 guest rooms and 6 bathrooms. Hussey House enjoys a nice large side yard with access to Sea St. The property also includes a garage with a studio apartment above, located behind the cottage. *Owners will consider selling 17 N Water St. and 8 Sea St. together, and would consider selling 15 N Water St., separately.

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