Early Times, Sag Harbor and North Haven

The settlement of North Haven dates back to 1665, and was settled partly by men from Shelter Island and partly by men from Southampton. Encompassing most of the "great meadows", Sagg Harbour - as it was originally called - could lay claim to an excellent deep water harbor. While Southampton used North Sea Harbor and East Hampton used Northwest Harbor, the people of Sagaponack (Sagg) had no harbor of their own. Roads were cut through woods from Sagg to the great meadows, and Sag Harbor started its spectacular climb to fame as a whaling port. The years was approximately 1707, but some of the older homes in Sag Harbor date prior to this.

By 1770 trade with the West Indies had been established, and Sag Harbor ships plied the oceans of the world. During the Revolutionary War, Sag Harbor was occupied by the British, and while no great military operation took place, there was much havoc and misery in the area. The people suffered greatly.

In 1777, British domination of the area was over and peace returned, after Lt. Col. Jonathan Return Meigs landed on present day long Beach, and marched over to Sag Harbor and captured the British fort. In 1789, Sag Harbor was named the official port of entry for the State of New York, and within a few months Henry Packer Dering was named Collector of the Port, with his home at the Custom House.

During the War of 1812, a British fleet anchored in Gardiner's Bay, their aim to invade Sag Harbor and capture arms and ammunition stored in the arsenal. When the attack was made, however, the British were completely routed by General Rose, who commanded the Sag Harbor garrison.

While the British never again never invaded Sag Harbor, their naval fleet preyed on Sag Harbor shipping, finally leaving the area only after they had completely destroyed the Sag Harbor fleet. With the end of the whaling era came hard times. However, economic growth was provided by the Fahys Watch factory, and when the Long Island Railroad extended its service to Sag Harbor in 1870, families moved to industrial Sag Harbor from western Long Island, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut with other business firms locating here as time went by. The "town with the million dollar harbor" was once more on its way.