Sag Harbor in Suffolk County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Major John Hildreth

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 31, 2025

1. Major John Hildreth Marker

Inscription. 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Major John Hildreth, born in Bridgehampton, returned to Sag Harbor. Hildreth was a renowned citizen, outspoken patriot, master shoemaker and innovative builder whose brick building construction on the west side of the Sag Harbor Business District prevented The Great Fire of 1845 from spreading down Main Street. Based on charred beams found prior to its renovation, it is believed that 156 Main Street was the house where the fire was stopped and countless Sag Harbor buildings of historic significance were saved.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is November 14, 1845.

Location. 40° 59.95′ N, 72° 17.757′ W. Marker is in Sag Harbor, New York, in Suffolk County. It can be reached from Main Street just south of Spring Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 156 Main Street, Sag Harbor NY 11963, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the New York City Metropolitan Area

and on Long Island.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Joan Bates Tripp (within shouting distance of this marker); Home of Admiral Oscar Stanton (within shouting distance of this marker); David Frothingham (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alvin Building

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(about 300 feet away); Atheneum (about 500 feet away); The French House (about 600 feet away); Sag Harbor Time Capsule (about 600 feet away); Handcut Millstone (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sag Harbor.

Also see . . . Looking Back at the Sag Harbor Fires of 1817 and 1845.

In fact on that fateful night Henry Hedges remembers, Doctor Abel Huntington, the Collector of the Port, declaring that the fire had climbed up Main Street stopping at the west side to the north brick walls of three buildings owned by Major John Hildreth. It was those buildings that saved the rest of Sag Harbor. Mr. Hedges believes the fire of 1817 was limited to “nearly quite the same lines.” The fire of 1845 damaged or destroyed most of everything east of Division Street.

(Submitted on August 31, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

156 Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 31, 2025

2. 156 Main Street

156 Main Street was the edge of the fire line of Sag Harbor's Great Fire of 1845, which left nearly 100 buildings destroyed.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 31, 2025

3. Case House

A separate marker in front of 156 Main Street identifies the house as the Case House, and also as a private residence. The name of the home appears to be an anachronism for real estate sales.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.