Alvah M. Bearse was a prominent figure in the history of Hyannis, Massachusetts, with his life story intricately linked to the development of this Cape Cod town. Born into a family with deep local roots, Bearse witnessed the transformation of Hyannis from a quaint village to a bustling center of commerce and tourism. His grandparents were well-known in the community, engaging in various trades that contributed to the town's economy and culture. Bearse's upbringing was characterized by a blend of traditional education and practical skills, which later influenced his career choices.

Born in 1898, Mrs.

Born in 1896, Mr.

Dr. Crosby was born in Brookline in 1895.  He reads from the introduction to his unpublished memoirs for approximately 10 minutes.  This section deals primarily with the train trip from Boston to Buzzards Bay and then on to the Chatham depot, the ride from the depot to their summer home in East Harwich, and his earliest memories as a child during the summer with his family and relatives.  Dr.

Born in 1898, in West Barnstable, Mr.

Born in 1904, Dr.

Ms.

Born in 1902, Mr. Hallett describes his childhood experiences from 1907-1909 while vacationing in South Dennis, Massachusetts. He also describes his experiences living as a summer resident in Silver Beach, North Falmouth, Massachusetts from 1910 to the 1920. He describes the costs of rentals and food in 1907, his experiences with Captain Howard Kelley family in South Dennis; his great uncle Joyce Taylor in Hyannis who was a prominent realtor and business man; Mr. Hallett's life as a child and teenager in Silver Beach, North Falmouth and the affluent neighbors who were summer residents.

Eleanor Small interview with Tales of Cape Cod, November 17, 1977. Born in 1909, Ms. Small describes her ancestors from Harwich. Her grandmother was related to Jonathon Walker, of "the branded hand" who married an Indian woman and went down south to help the slaves. He was captured and branded for helping slaves escape. She lived on the Cape with her grandmother and recalls several stories of local residents. She recalls the great Dennisport fire and Dr. Ginns block burned. Also remembers Ernie Cole, the blacksmith in Harwich Port and the Catholic church in Harwich Center burning.

February 14, 1978 interview with Elizabeth Woodman, who describes her experiences in the Lighthouse Service. One track towards the end of the tape is distorted, but it is still audible.

Notes: The Tales of Cape Cod Oral History Collection is housed at the William Brewster Nickerson Archives in the Wilkens Library at Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable, Massachusetts. For more information about the collection, please contact the Nickerson Archives, http://www.nickersonarchives.org/.