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

Valentine-Jenson house

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

Inventory Code:   Br30B 
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:   Valentine-Jenson house 
2a-County:   Suffolk    2b-Town:   Brookhaven    2c-Village:   Hamlet of Brookhaven
3-Street Location:    
Ownership
 4a-Public    4b-Private
5a-Present Owner:   Jack E. Jensen (1975) 5b-Address:   Fire Place Neck Road
Use

6a-Original:   home and store

6b-Present:   home

Accessibility
 7a-Visible From Road

 7b-Interior Accessible
7b-Interior Comment:   
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? 1915 or 1916
11c-Alterations:   Store" and Post Office, part became present dwelling.  «»
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:   swimming pool
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:  between two old buildings  
Other Notable Features of Building and Site
18-Notable Features:      «»
Significance
19-Initial Const Date:   1872 by George Hawkins, north side of South Country Road. [While this statement was on the original form, the information is questionable.]  
19-Architect:  
19-Builder:  
Historic and Architectural Importance
20-Importance:   The house and attached store were originally located on the west side of South Country Rd., a little to the north of Memorial Triangle (at about 405 South Country Rd., site of the present Brook House, Br06). They were sold in 1878 to Charles Valentine, who continued operation of the store.

In 1915 (or 1916), Jake Valentine (Charles' son) moved the store and house in two parts. The store was moved across South Country Road to a site adjacent to Beaver Dam Creek, to the west. This site has ID Br07, 378 South Country Rd. 

The house was moved across South Country Road to the present site at 3 Fire Place Neck Road, on the former Ketcham farm, east of the Memorial Triangle (see below).

A small building built in 1827 was then joined to house as summer kitchen, etc.  Bathroom, electric, fireplace, concrete foundation, etc. were added and "gingerbread" removed.

In 1950, house was inherited by Edna Valentine Bruce (Jake's daughter).  She and her husband Alfred further enlarged the house, and sold it to Jack E. Jensen in 1959.

Long Island Forum, December 1956, "Some Old Brookhaven Homes," Edna Valentine Bruce, excerpt:

"... The store and post-office with house attached had stood on the west side of South Country Road since the 1860s and the Ketcham house across the way [Br06A].

"That house had been owned by the Ketchams since the late 1700s, at least three generations.  I am very sure of Capt. Isaac.  His tombstone dated 1848 reposes in my backyard and I think he likes to have it there, to be thought of every time I pass it rather than to be forgotten where he really lies under the big Ketcham monument in the Bellport Cemetery.  [This gravestone can still be found on the property today.]

"I feel very friendly toward Capt. Isaac who once lived on the land where I live now, and I certainly hope he feels friendly toward me.  In 1900 the Ketcham house stood almost in Fireplace Neck road, directly opposite the later War Memorial.  Old houses were built close to the road so the ears of their inmates might more readily gather town news (there were no party lines in those days).

"In 1905 when Jacob Valentine, the postmaster, bought the Ketcham place, the Goodalls bought the rest of the farm and move the Ketcham house to where it now stands, the residence of the Desmond Nelsons.  The 1916 the Valentines sold their land and. separating the house and store, moved the store across Beaver Dam Brook to become the present Brook Store and the house across the street back of where the Ketcham house had stood."

  «»
Sources
21-Sources: 1873 map shown as "store".
Interview with Mrs. Jensen March 1975, information given to her by Edna Valentine Bruce in the 1950's.
Long Island Forum, December 1956. «»
Theme
22-Theme:    
Prepared By: 
   
Supplemental Material: