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 which have a 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.
Br30B
03-10-1975
01-01-1970
Click for
Photo
People
Other Links
Printer Friendly
Submitter
Submitter Name:
Mrs. Paul W. Bigelow
Submitter Address:
7 Thornhedge Road
Bellport, NY 11713
Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society
Identification
Valentine-Jenson house
Suffolk
Brookhaven
Hamlet of Brookhaven
If checked, this site is within the Fire Place (Brookhaven Hamlet) Historic District
Ownership
4a-Public Site
4b-Private Site
Jack E. Jensen (1975)
Fire Place Neck Road
Use
home and store
home
Accessibility
7a-Visible From Road
7b-Interior Accessible
Building Materials
8a-Clapboard
8b-Stone
8c-Brick
8d-Board & Batten
8e-Cobblestone
8f-Shingles
8g-Stucco
Structural System
9a-Wood Frame Interlocking Joints
9b-Wood Frame Light Members
9c-Masonry
9d-Metal
9e-Other
Condition
10a-Excellent
10b-Good
10c-Fair
10d-Deteriorated
Integrity
11a-Original Site
11b-Moved
1915 or 1916
Store" and Post Office, part became present dwelling.
Photo & Map
Threats
14a-None Known
14b-Zoning
14c-Roads
14d-Developers
14e-Deterioration
Related Outbuildings and Property
15a-Barn
15b-Carriage House
15c-Garage
15d-Privy
15e-Shed
15f-Greenhouse
15g-Shop
15h-Gardens
15i-Landscape Features
swimming pool
Surroundings of the Building
16a-Open Land
16b-Woodland
16c-Scattered Bldgs
16d-Densely Built-up
16e-Commercial
16f-Industrial
16g-Residential
Interrelationship of Building and Surroundings
between two old buildings
Other Notable Features of Building and Site
Significance
1872 by George Hawkins, north side of South Country Road. [While this statement was on the original form, the information is questionable.]
Historic and Architectural 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
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.
4b-Private Site