How would you like to own one of the most historic—and haunted—homes on Cape Cod?

The property at 71 Main Street in Sandwich is commonly known as the Dillingham House, because it was long the home of the Dillingham family, one of the first families to settle the Cape. It's now on the market at $499,900.

Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
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The house is believed to date back to about 1659; it was likely built by Joseph Wing and sold to John Dillingham in 1667.

The Dillinghams were Quakers, part of the Society of Friends that populated Sandwich during that time. The house remained in the family for generations. Eventually, it became the home of Branch Dillingham, his wife Ruth Holbook Dillingham, and their eight children: John Bartlet, Simeon, Naaman, Sarah, Abigail, Freeman, Nancy and Elizebeth (whom they called Betsey).

Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
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But in addition to having this direct history to the early days of Sandwich and Cape Cod, the Dillingham House also has some supernatural stories associated with it as well.

On April 16, 1813, Branch Dillingham is said to have committed suicide in the home. His body is interred at the Old Town Cemetery just down the road from the Dillingham House, but his soul is not at rest. Branch is believed to haunt the house to this very day, along with the spirits of his wife and eight children.

Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
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For a while, the Dillingham House was a bed and breakfast, and people who stayed there often reported hearing the old-fashioned door latches lifting in the night. They would see rocking chairs swaying back and forth, with nobody in them and no breeze to move them. And late at night, when the house was dead quiet, children could be heard roaming the halls, their little feet shuffling along the wooden floors as they spoke in whispers and giggled. Those driving by have reported seeing figures in the windows and swaying curtains, even when nobody is in the building.

Are these the children of Branch and Ruth Dillingham, who grew up to live their own lives but now somehow, in death, reverted back to being youngsters in the home where their father killed himself?

It’s a good thing this house has five bedrooms and an exterior carriage house that can be used as an in-law apartment. You’re going to need all that space, considering you’ll be sharing the Dillingham House with the resident ghosts.

Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
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Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
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Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
Beverly Comeau/Kinlin Grover Real Estate
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That said, if anyone has an extra $499,900 kicking around and wants to buy it for me, I’m ready to move in.

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