SOUTHAMPTON HISTORY

Southampton has 5 incorporated villages:

North Haven
Quogue
Sag Harbor
Southampton
Westhampton Beach



The Shinnecock Indians called present-day Southampton "Agawam," meaning "a place abounding with fish."

1640 -- English colonists from Lynn, Massachusetts move to the area, making it one of New York's oldest settlements and the first English settlement in New York State. The name of the town honors Henry Wriothesly, the Earl of Southampton, a well-respected figure in the colonies during the 17th century. The settlers had obtained permission to inhabit the area from the Earl of Stirling. Mocomanto signs the deed for the native Americans.

1648 -- Southampton colony moves from Olde Town (near today's Southampton Hospital) to Towne Street (present day Main Street). Thomas Halsey builds a house (still standing and open seasonally to visitors).

1650 -- their first commercial whaling company forms.

1690 -- Hildreth House (torn down) in Mecox built.

1776 -- following he defeat of Washington at the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War, the British, under General Erskine, occupy the area.

1789 -- the port of Sag Harbor busier than that of New York City.

1820 -- the Beebe Windmill (now in Bridgehampton) built.

1834 -- Long Island Railroad chartered.

1837-1847 -- peak of the whale industry in Sag Harbor, which has some 63 whaling vessels in its fleet.

1843 -- the whaler Captain Rogers builds a home in Southampton. It is now an historical museum.

1843/44 -- Minard Lafever builds the Whaler's Church (Presbyterian) on Union Street in Sag Harbor.