Sag Harbor Hills

Sag Harbor was established by English colonists sometime between 1707 and 1730, with many likely arriving from New England by sea, mirroring the settlement patterns of other areas in eastern Long Island. The first official use of the name “Sag Harbor” was recorded in 1730.

While some accounts suggest that the village was named after the nearby settlement of Sagaponack (which was then called Sagg), historians propose a different origin. According to historical research, both Sagaponack and Sag Harbor derive their names from a tuber cultivated by the local Pequot people, known as sagabon in their Algonquian language. This tuber, which was a staple crop for the indigenous people, was one of the earliest crops sent to England by the colonists. The plant responsible for producing this tuber is now identified as Apios americana.

During the American Revolutionary War, Sag Harbor played a notable role as a departure point for New York Patriots fleeing from the advancing British and Loyalist forces. In 1777, American raiders led by Return Jonathan Meigs launched an attack on a British garrison located on a hill in Sag Harbor. This successful raid, known as the Meigs Raid, resulted in the death of six British soldiers and the capture of 90 others. Following the war, the fort was dismantled, and the site eventually became known as the Old Burying Ground, associated with the historic Old Whaler’s Church.

African-American history

The mid-1830s United States Coast Survey map depicted square symbols for houses in the Eastville area, indicating settlement in that region. By 1840, the St. David A.M.E. Zion congregation had constructed a church on Eastville Avenue.

Renowned poet and educator Olivia Ward Bush-Banks, born on February 27, 1869, in Sag Harbour, was of African and Montauk descent. Author Colson Whitehead also penned the novel “Sag Harbor,” reflecting on his childhood experiences in the area.

Following the Second World War, African American families began to establish themselves in what would later become the neighborhoods of Sag Harbor Hills, Ninevah, Azurest, Eastville, and Chatfield’s Hill. Mrs. Hunter J. Terry, a regular summer visitor in the region, advocated for the development of the land as a peaceful resort for African Americans, leading to the creation of Azurest. Streets such as Terry Drive, Richards Drive, and Meredith Avenue were named after members of her family, while others like Walker and Milton were named after African American whalers. Cuffee Drive commemorated Paul Cuffee, a prominent African American whaler. Over time, several African American celebrities and prominent New York businessmen established their summer residences in these neighborhoods.

In recent years, there has been pressure from investors seeking to consolidate lots and construct larger houses, posing a threat to the unique character of the neighborhoods. In response, a collective group known as SANS (Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Subdivisions) was formed in 2016 to study these impacts and preserve the area’s historic integrity. Their efforts culminated in the listing of the Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Beach Subdivisions as a Historic District on July 10, 2019.