[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8772]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHATHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 8, 2012

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 300th 
anniversary of the founding of Chatham, Massachusetts, a small, quaint 
town that has long been synonymous with the beauty of Cape Cod.
  In 1606, Samuel de Champlain was the first European to traverse the 
area now known as Chatham. At the time of Champlain's arrival and until 
William Nickerson purchased land in 1656, the area was inhabited by the 
Monomoyick people. In 1664, William Nickerson settled his family in the 
area and eventually founded the town forty-eight years later on June 
11, 1712.
  The first 100 years of Chatham's recorded history indicate a struggle 
to establish a stable population and economy. The French and Indian 
Wars and the smallpox epidemic of 1760 claimed lives and money from the 
residents of the new town. After the Revolutionary War, however, 
fishing exports, whaling, ship building and salt production flourished, 
fueling the growth of the local economy.
  By the late 1800's, the town began to benefit from the growing 
popularity of seaside vacationing. Wealthy vacationers and summer 
residents provided the basis for the new economic growth, and the 
popularity of this seaside haven among vacationers continued to expand 
throughout the 20th century. By 1950, the summer population of 5,000 
greatly outnumbered 2,457 year-round residents.
  Present day Chatham has continued its expansion and popularity. The 
small-town charm and pristine coastline have kept generations of 
vacationers and summer residents coming back each year.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 300th anniversary of 
Chatham, Massachusetts. May this beautiful Massachusetts town flourish 
for many years to come.

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