Three Centuries in a Cape Cod Village: The Story of Chatham

Illustrations, text, and first-person narratives trace how life in Chatham, Massachusetts has evolved over the past 300 years

Life has changed in this beautiful seaside village on the elbow of Cape Cod since pioneers William and Anne Busby Nickerson bought it from the Monomoyicks in 1656. In this first complete history of Chatham, seven local authors survey the three lively centuries leading to the town’s 2012 tercentennial.

Meet the urbane Native American Squanto who met a mysterious death beside Pleasant Bay, Dr. Lord who fought a losing battle against smallpox, and an old woman who recalled the naval blockades of the War of 1812. Find out why Chatham’s 19th century sea captains were sought the world over. Meet two young boys who discovered a German spy operating within shouting distance of the Coast Guard's headquarters during World War II. Learn how Chatham morphed from a hard-scrabble fishing village into an exclusive summer destination. Finally, explore life as it is today.

The seven contributing authors include several journalists, a memorist, a high school English teacher, and an archivist, who all share a love of Chatham's history.