Unless indicated below, this is a transcript of the original Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities/Town of Brookhaven survey form. Since most of the surveys were conducted in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, much of the information reflects that time period.

Corrections to obvious typographical and spelling errors have been made. Corrections to factual errors in the original surveys, and updates or comments on the information are either enclosed in [square brackets], or are clearly indicated as updated material from the context of the comments.

Sites with an Inventory Code suffix of “S” are supplemental sites not included in the original surveys.

BUILDING-STRUCTURE INVENTORY FORM

Carol Robinson cottage

 If checked, this is a Supplemental Form, not in the original surveys.

Inventory Code:   Br09E 
Prepared Date:   1975-03-10 
Last Modified:   1970-01-01 
Original Submitter
Submitter Name:   Mrs. Paul W. Bigelow
Submitter Address:   7 Thornhedge Road

Bellport, NY 11713  
Organization:   Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society
Identification
1-Building/Site Name:   Carol Robinson cottage 
2a-County:   Suffolk    2b-Town:   Brookhaven    2c-Village:   Hamlet of Brookhaven
3-Street Location:    
Ownership
 4a-Public    4b-Private
5a-Present Owner:   Mrs. Edward Ljungvist 5b-Address:   South country Rd., Brookhaven
Use

6a-Original:   private cottage

6b-Present:   same

Accessibility
 7a-Visible From Road

 7b-Interior Accessible
7b-Interior Comment:   No
Building Materials
 8a-Clapboard

 8b-Stone

 8c-Brick

 8d-Board & Batten

 8e-Cobblestone

 8f-Shingles

 8g-Stucco
8-Other:   
Structural System
 9a-Wood Frame Interlocking Joints    9b-Wood Frame Light Members:   9c-Masonry:
 9d-Metal
9d-Metal Comment:   
 9e-Other
 9e-Other Comment:   
Condition
   10a-Excellent   10b-Good   10c-Fair    10d-Deteriorated
Integrity
  11a-Original Site  11b-Moved If so, when?
11c-Alterations:   moved by William Preston Smith (it had been near to South Country road)  «»
Photo & Map
12-Photo Photos and images
13-Map
Threats
[Threats were not evaluated in the original South Shore Estuary Survey.  They are an evaluation by J. Deitz]
  14a-None Known:   14b-Zoning   14c-Roads
  14d-Developers   14e-Deterioration
14f-Other:   
14-Comment:   
Related Outbuildings and Property
 15a-Barn  15b-Carriage House  15c-Garage
 15d-Privy  15e-Shed   15f-Greenhouse
 15g-Shop  15h-Gardens   15i-Landscape Features
15i-Landscape Features:   
15j-Other:   
15-Comment:   
Surroundings of the Building
 16a-Open Land  16b-Woodland  16c-Scattered Bldgs.
 16d-Densely Built-up  16e-Commercial  16f-Industrial
 16g-Residential 16h-Other:   
Interrelationship of Building and Surroundings
17-Interrelationships:    
Other Notable Features of Building and Site
18-Notable Features:      «»
Significance
19-Initial Const Date:   said to be about 1776  
19-Architect:  
19-Builder:  
Historic and Architectural Importance
20-Importance:  

[This structure is arguably one of the oldest in Brookhaven Hamlet, perhaps being the original homestead of the Seaman family. Archological forensics is required to confirm this hypothisis.]

For a time, it was the summer residence of Margaret Anderson and jama heap [sic, Jane Heap], who published a literary review; then by Carol Robinson, a pianist.

William Preston Smith, a descendent of the Seamans by his mother, moved the "Seaman" place when Anderson and Heap lived in the little house. Interior of detached privy was painted by daughter of Enrico Caruso. Mrs. Caruso (Dorothy) was a great friend of Carol Robinson.

[Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap founded and edited the literary magazine The Little Review which published avant-garde writers, 1914-29. Carol Robinson was a friend. They and other artists of the day were known as the "moderns."]

[Glenda Dawn Goss, in her biography of Carol Robinson, Music and the Moderns: The Live and Works of Carol Robinson, describes the cottage:
"Robinson inherited the charmingly primitive farmhouse at Brookhaven, Long Island, with no electricity and no running water, that Anderson shared with Heap … the three women enjoyed many close mutual friends, from [novelist] Kathryn Hulme and Dorothy Caruso [Enrico's wife] to [singer] Georgette Leblanc and Ezra Pound."]

 «»
Sources
21-Sources: 1858 Chace Map. 1873 Beers Comstock «»
Theme
22-Theme:   Residence  
Prepared By: 
  Original by Stephanie Bigelow, revised by J. Deitz  
Supplemental Material: