[While there is some ambiguity as to who built this house, I think it fairly certain that it was built by Selah Hawkins, son of Lewis Hawkins, and grandson
of Selah Hawkins (the elder).
Map references associated both S. and C. Hawkins with it. It was said that "this house and its neighbor to the east (Br22) were built by the younger Hawkins brothers, grandchildren of Selah Hawkins (Br20) across the road" – these would have been Selah and Chauncey Lewis Hawkins.
The 1880 and 1900 census records offered some insight.
In 1880, the census enumerator appeared to have been moving west to east along Beaver Dam Road. The Louis (Lewis) Hawkins household was listed
first, and consisted of himself, his wife Elmira, his son Chauncy, Chauncy's wife Elmira, and Chauncy's son George L. Next listed was the
Selah Hawkins household, consisting of himself, his wife Elma, and daughter Ella. The next was Henry Hawkins, and included his wife Henrietta, and
children Elizabeth and Sherman (also in the household was 18-year old Sadie Bartoe). The next household listed was that of George Barnett (Burnett)
(Site ID Br18B, 325 Beaver Dam Road). Interestingly, the Harmon Hawkins household was not recorded, at least not in sequence. It has not been
found on other pages.
In the 1900 census all three brothers -- Selah, Henry, and Chauncey were listed adjacent to each other in that order. They immediately followed the Burnett household in the listing. Following the three brothers was that of their uncle, Harmon Hawkins (Site ID Br20, 311 Beaver Dam Road). While the census enumerator appeared to be moving generally east to west along Beaver Dam Road, the Hawkins family cluster appeared not to have been taken in order. If they were to have been, Harmon's household would have followed the Burnett household.
In 1900, Chauncy's household included the three brothers' mother Elmira (their father Lewis having died in 1887, and Chauncey's wife Elmira having died in 1888). I think it likely that Chauncey was living in the old Lewis Hawkins' homestead on the north side of Beaver Dam Road, some 300 feet east of his uncle Harmon's homestead (Archeological
Site Br20.1-S, about 305 Beaver Dam Road). That house was subsequently destroyed by fire.
Census and map evidence suggests a construction date 1873-1880. By
1880, Selah Hawkins had established his own household.
I think it likely that this house was built by Selah Hawkins and remained in his possession until his death in 1919, at which time it became the property of his only daughter, Ella Rose Hawkins. While Ella was a school teacher in Brooklyn, she was known to have been active in the affairs of Brookhaven Hamlet, especially the Fireplace Literary Club from early in its beginning in 1913 and the Brookhaven Free Library.
On settlement of the Ella Hawkins' estate, the house came into the possession of "Mrs. Russell." Mrs. Russell lived across the street (probably on the site of the old Lewis Hawkins homestead
in a newer house built there). Her daughter, "Mrs. Osterhout," and family then came to live in this house. (B. Michelson) "Mrs. Russell" is Emily Russell "of Hempstead" to whom Ella Rose Hawkins left personal and real property. Emily was a "cousin" of Ella.]
4b-Private Site