Yaphank
from the Middle Island Mail
October 23, 1935
End Comes Suddenly for Mrs.
Robbins
Lived in One House at Yaphank Half Century-Was Bright and Cheery Person to the Last
FUNERAL services were held Sunday afternoon in St. Andrew's Episcopal church at Yaphank for Mrs. Harriet E. Robbins, believed to be Brookhaven town's oldest resident, who died suddenly in her chair Thursday night. The church in which
the service was held is across the street from the home in which Mrs. Robbins had lived for a half century. The Rev. Dr. Frederick Peters of Holbrook officiated and the internment was made in Cedar Hill cemetery, Port Jefferson.
Mrs. Robbins, who was 98 years old, had spent her entire life in Yaphank. She was born July 9,1837, in what is now' known as West Yaphank and was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hawkins, her father having come to Yaphank from the North Shore. He was a member of one of the pioneer families of this town. Mrs. Robbins husband, William H. Robbins died 45 years ago.
For the past several years Mrs. Hattie Hawkins of Brookhaven has kept house and cared for Mrs. Robbins, who was active until the last. Despite the fact that she broke her hip three years ago she managed to recover and to practically overcome the injury. She retained full possession of her faculties and was noted among her many friends for her jovial disposition and the inspiration which she radiated among the ill.
She had not been seriously ill, although not feeling as well as usual for the past few weeks. Thursday night Mrs. Robbins and Mrs. Hawkins had been eating some ice cream and, believing that Mrs. Hawkins wells tired, she suggested that she go to bed. She had just finished that remark when she fell back in her Chair, death having come suddenly. She leaves no near relatives.