Cape Cod: Articles: Chatham, History -- post an article

Chatham Centuries Ago

Deyo’s History of Barnstable County is full of facts, both large and small, which enable the modern reader to correctly interpret and understand life on Cape Cod a century and more ago. Following are notes on Chatham found in this source:

Soon after 1800 the manufacture of salt from sea water commenced in the north part of the town and the entire shore line from Pleasant Bay around to the Harwich line at Red River was interspersed with the works.

Sheep husbandry commenced as early as 1700. March 19, 1712, the town meeting voted that no sheep should be driven for shearing before the last Monday of May, the penalty for violators of the rule to be 20 pounds.

Among the many losses by sea was the mysterious murder, November, 1772, of Captain Thomas Nickerson, Mr. Elisha Newcomb and William Kent, Jr., on board the vessel sailed by them.

The Massachusetts Gazette of November 23d gives a detailed account of the finding of the schooner back of the Cape by Captain Joseph Doane, who, on boarding her, found bloody decks, plundered chests and one man alive. This man was tried for murder of the officers and crew, and was acquitted.

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