ATWOOD, JOHN

Marjorie's Courting-Talk House

In Chatham, MA on Cape Cod, stands the Atwood House Museum. It was built by Captain Joseph Atwood during a year off from his travels.

The museum has a website, (note: appears to be unavailable at this time) with pictures, but here's the anecdote:

When Captain John Atwood was courting his future bride, Marjorie, he promised her a beautiful new home. After the marriage, however, they moved into the house built by his grandfather Captain Joseph. As time passed, Marjorie would ask John about the new house, to which he finally replied, "Margy, that was only courting talk." But he did eventually compromise by building an addition onto the house--which is still there.

Source:

Snow, Edward Rowe: A Pilgrim Returns To Cape Cod. Boston: Yankee Publishing Company, 1946 pg 357 More Information