The Captain Cartwright House

Captain Cartwright House 4 3 H O WA R D S T R E E T • S A G H A R B O R

c. 1838

THE HISTORY

Sag Harbor’s golden era of whaling brought fame, prosperity, and wealth to its village with as many as 50 whaling ships anchored on the Long Wharf. Captain David Cartwright was one of the luminaries, born in 1804 on Block Island, Rhode Island, part of a Quaker family who settled in Sag Harbor.

Whaling Days As a young man, throughout the 1820s, David Cartwright joined the crews of various Sag Harbor-registered whalers in order to learn navigation and master the whaling trade. He married Sarah Ann (Fanny) Havens in 1826. Despite frequent absences at sea, they had five children together.

David Cartwright commenced his first whaling voyage as Captain David Cartwright in the early 1830s. According to the Directory of Whaling Masters Sailing from American Ports, Capt. Cartwright commanded the following Sag Harbor-registered vessels and commenced whaling voyages in the following years: Marcus (1832/33) Henry (1834/35/36) Sapphire (1839) Superior (1842) Concordia (1843) Helen (1843) Romulus (1846) Gentleman (1850/52) A single boat in the height of the whaling industry could bring back a catch worth up to $250,000 and a sign of a Captain’s success would be the grand house he would construct in the heart of the vibrant village. The Captain Cartwright house (circa 1835) remains a bold edifice to the fame and glory of the era.

Post Whaling Days Captain Cartwright later owned and operated a packet freight and passenger service sailing between Sag Harbor and Manhattan. Both Captain David and Sarah Ann Cartwright died in the 1850s and were buried in the Old Burial Ground adjacent to the Old Whalers Church. After their deaths, 43 Howard Street was sold to Thomas Bisgood who emigrated from England to Sag Harbor in the 1850s. Among other things, the Bisgood family eventually owned and operated the hotel on Main Street now housing the American Hotel. The Bisgood family took great pride in the home and its history.

They maintained the house lovingly and made few alterations. The home remained in the Bisgood family until acquired by the current owners in 2008.

DETAILS & SPECIFICATIONS

A historical gem in the heart of the Village on one of the quietest and most coveted streets, The Captain Cartwright House is one of Sag Harbor’s earlier grand houses. Exemplifying Greek Revival/ Federal architecture, the regally proportioned home has been masterfully re-constructed with period details and historic materials, designed with a thoughtful open flow through expansive sun-lit rooms with state-of-the-art systems and technologies. The 5,000 square foot home on .2 acres with three levels includes four bedrooms and five baths and five fireplaces. It features high ceilings, oversize windows, antique crown molding, wainscoting and trim, the finest of 19th century craftsmanship. The beautifully landscaped, expansive back yard includes a heated gunite salt-water pool with a hand-crafted stone pagoda which houses an outdoor kitchen, bar and lounge area.

The entrance is one of the village’s finest Greek Revival-style Doric entry porticos with fluted columns, pilasters and a delicate Federalstyle front door transom surround. The entry opens onto a gracious, expanded mahogany staircase with direct enfilade views from the front door through to the outdoor deck, rear garden and pool. Two original double parlors divided by antique mahogany pocket doors with wood-burning fireplaces with period mantlepieces lead into a formal dining room with its own fireplace and beamed, coffered ceilings with direct access to the kitchen as well as a working butler’s pantry. A sun-drenched family room opens through French doors onto the back porch. The expansive chef’s kitchen features top of the line appliances and a custom soapstone sink and countertops with marble and tile accents. It leads onto a back stairway and a mudroom with its own separate entrance.

The second floor has two charming, ensuite light-filled bedrooms with built-in custom shelving and closets and marble and tile filled bathrooms. A third bedroom/office showcases an authentic built-in officer’s bunk from a World War II ship, with built-in book cases and desk. The large master suite opens through antique French doors into a vestibule with a fabulous custom cedar closet from a 1920’s Boston mansion dressing room. The custom-wood-paneled master bedroom with high gabled ceilings features its own gas fireplace and garden views. The master bath is an ode to chic London hotels with floor-toceiling marble, deep soaking tub, modern steam shower and double vanity sinks with marble countertops. The suite also includes a large dressing room with custom closets, sliding shelves and storage units with a lounging window seat and access to the back staircase.

The finished lower level has an open great room with sun streaming through windows as well as double French doors leading to the back patio and summer kitchen and includes a fireplace, bathroom with shower, wine cellar, large laundry room, state-of-the-art systems room and storage.

The vibrant village of Sag Harbor is just a stroll away with fine restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums and a picturesque harbor with magnificent sail and motor yachts. The perfect location to honor past, present, and future.