Historic Case House at Cleo’s Corner

The property at Cleo’s Corner was donated to the Peconic Land Trust by Anne and Tom Hubbard in 2011. It was part of three parcels – a house lot and two open farm fields – totaling 5.7 acres. The Hubbards had previously protected the properties from development with the exception of a replacement to the existing house. When it was given to the Trust, Mr. Cleo Sellers held a life estate on the house. He passed away in 2016.

The house had fallen into disrepair. Trust staff consulted with experts and felt that the house couldn’t be saved. If we wanted to continue to provide housing for our local community, it would have to be replaced. Since the Case House is essentially the same size as the original house on the property it seemed like the perfect option. The Town of Southold agreed and approved the move of the Case House to Cleo’s Corner. In 2019 the Case House was moved.

To learn more about how the Case House crossed the road, see the following news articles:

• Suffolk Times, February 1, 2019: Historic Case House Crosses Youngs Avenue en Route to Cleo’s Corner
• East End Beacon, January 29, 2019: Case House on the Move
• Newsday, October 22, 2018: Peconic Land Trust to relocate Case House in Southold, use it as training center for farmers
• Suffolk Times, October 10, 2018: Historic Case House will find new home in Southold

A big thank you to the people who helped us with this phase of the project: SPC Landscape Contracting, historic architect John Cunniffe of Cunniffe Architects, contractor Sid Beebe of Sid Beebe & Sons Builders, and historic house mover Stanley Kazel of Dawn Movers.

Project Timeline

• Summer 2018 - approvals and permits were obtained from the Town. Contractors and the moving company were lined up.
• Fall 2018 - the old house on Cleo’s Corner, which was no longer habitable, was torn down. The site was cleared and leveled, and a new foundation was poured.
• Winter/Spring 2019 - the Case House slowly moved across farm fields and two roads to finally settle onto its new foundation.
• Summer 2019 through 2020 - Restoration began. The 2nd floor dormer was reframed, a new front entryway was built, windows were replaced, and a new wood-shingled roof was added.
• Winter 2021 through 2022 - Interior restorations began with an eye to restoring the Case House to the best version of the periods it represents, helping to maintain the rural character of the North Fork.
• Fall 2023 - The Trust issues a request for proposals for the leasing of the Case House Farmstead, which includes both the historic Lt. Moses Case House (2 bedroom house) and the adjacent five acres of farmland. The lease is for five years, with an option to renew.
• Winter 2024 - Les and Priscilla Howard of Priscilla’s Farm move into the Case House.

Historic Heritage

We’ve all watched as more and more of our historic homes and heritage disappear across the East End. When we discovered the Case House needed help, we knew we had to act quickly.

This double-cape colonial house is like a time capsule. Inside, the original 1747 wide plank floors, plaster, and moldings are reflective of the American Cape Cod style. It was later renovated in 1830. As a result, the house uniquely blends the original American Cape Cod style with the later Greek Revival style common in the mid-19^th century.

It was home to Lt. Moses Case, a member of one of Southold Town’s founding families and a ‘Patriot of the Revolution’. He had this home built in 1747, just before his marriage to Mary Hutchinson, and raised seven children here.

Moses Case was born September 9, 1723 in Southold, Suffolk County and died September 25, 1814 at the age of 91. He was the son of Samuel and Zeriah (Horton) Case and was married to Mary (Hutchinson) Case on February 23, 1748. They had seven (7) children: Gilbert Case, Luther Case, Mary Case, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Case) Terry, Martha Case, Moses Luther Case, and Matthias Case.

Moses Case was a decorated Lieutenant in the local militia during the Revolutionary War. He became a Captain in November 1775 and according to the book, “The Descendants of Thomas Hutchinson of Southold, N.Y. 1666-1982”, he signed the Articles of Association in May of 1775. Lt. Moses Case is recognized as a Patriot of the Revolution. Upon his death in 1814, he was buried in his home town of Southold, New York.

Over the years it’s been home to several north fork families – Goodale, Terry, Appley, and King to name just a few. At one time it even served as a meeting house for the community.