J. HURTIN HOUSE

Hurtin house, located on west side of Middle Island - Yaphank Road, north of East Bartlett.

Longwood Public Library, Thomas R. Bayles Collection C9-13

Hurtin House. Brooklyn Public Library, Eugene Armbruster Collection, 1935

The Hurtin Home on the west side of the Middle Island Yaphank road.

The home was located on the northeast corner of the Middle Island Yaphank Road and East Bartlett Road. The house has collapsed and is hard to see since there is much overgrowth at the sides of the road

The building was a 11/2 story, 4 bay, gable roof, lean to clapboard house (saltbox) with one story, 2 bay, gable roof wing on the west, and chimney and porch on front. The front of the house, which faces south, is lower than the road.

The building was one of the oldest homes in the area pre dating the 1797 Isaac Hulse Map of Brookhaven Town. The house has collapsed, but part of the structure can still be seen from the road.

Newspaper stories about the Hurtin's.

Southside Signal

March 13, 1875

J Hurtin is preparing to build a new barn in place of the old one, which has stood the storms of nearly a century.

Long Island Traveler

March 20, 1891

Isaac S. Downs has in his possession a shoe that tells the story of 76 years. This shoe was made by James Hurtin of Middle Island for Richard Downs a child 3 years old. This shoe has been carefully preserved in an old chest for years. It is a curious piece of workmanship, compared with the finely finished shoes of today. This shoe is made of the hardest cow’s hide leather, with a thick stiff sole, hand sewed, which could not have afforded the wearer much comfort.

Port Jefferson Echo

March 8, 1919

Mr. Hurtin, familiarly known as “Uncle Joe,” a youth sporting in the early nineties, discovered in the barnyard remains of a hen that to his practiced eye suggested the work of a possum. He was quite enthusiastic in bygone years in the pursuit of game and had a reputation as a sure shot. He interested himself in setting a trap for this possum overnight, and in the morning he was pleased to announce to the other boys. “I got him.”

PJE

October 30, 1920

One of the meanest developments of human depravity is stealing water pails that are left at the watering places for the convenience of watering horses that pass along the road. We have reports of several instances of the kind perpetrated at the brook crossing near Hurtin’s corner and at Swezey’s mill pond. This is cruelty to animals besides theft.

PJE

November 19, 1921

Some interesting local items developed in the recent election. Joseph Hurtin 93 past, walked into the booth and prepared his ballot without any assistance, and in much less time than many half his age. He has been taking an interest in elections ever since the campaign of Zachary Taylor.

January 27, 1923

We have lost our oldest inhabitant by the death of Joseph Hurtin who quietly and peacefully passed to the life beyond last Saturday morning at the ripe old age of 94. He was born in Middle Island on the farm, which he inherited from his father Samuel Hurtin, and on which he spent the years of his active life, until 5 years ago when he gave up his farm and went to live with his niece, Mrs. Edward Pfeiffer, with whom he made his home the remainder of his days. He was never married, but during most of his life his household affairs were managed by his maiden sister Miss. Jerusha Hurtin, or later by his widowed sister Mrs. Hannah M. Overton and her daughter Mrs. Pfeiffer. In pastime amusement his dog and gun were his favorites and he held high reputation as a marksman.

Blizzard of 1934, looking at the Hurtin House. Car is on East Bartlett.

The Hurtin house 1960s.

1840, Middle Island census.