Name/Title
76th Annual Bull Family Picnic - August 25, 1943Entry/Object ID
002172Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association, Bull PicnicScope and Content
This document is a program and annual report for the 76th Annual Bull Picnic, held on August 25, 1943, at the historic Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York. It serves as a fascinating snapshot of how a long-standing family tradition adapted to the constraints of World War II.
Here is a summary of the key sections:
"Without Benefit of Gasoline"
The primary theme of the 1943 picnic was overcoming wartime fuel rationing. The organizers encouraged "ingenuity" to attend, suggesting that guests:
Walk or "Hitch": Encouraging hiking parties or catching rides with others who had vacant seats.
Take the Train: Providing detailed schedules for the O. & W. and Erie railroads.
Use Horsepower: Coordinating hayrides from train stations and local points, and suggesting arrival via pony cart, mule team, bicycle, or buggy.
Family Association Business
Official Meeting: Scheduled for 2:00 PM to elect three Managers (Ernest M. Bull, Charles W. Slaughter, and Henry P. Bull).
Property Report: The Property Committee reported that the farm land was rented for $200 (covering taxes and insurance) and that minor repairs to the dwelling and barn cost less than $100. The house was then tenanted by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brown.
Armed Forces: The association actively collected names, photos, and resumes of family members serving in the military.
"A Thought of Ann": A special appeal was made for the maintenance of the grave of Ann Bull Eager (born 1740), daughter of William and Sarah. Members were asked to contribute 25 cents toward the upkeep of the Eager Graveyard.
Financial & Demographic Data
Treasurer’s Report: As of July 1943, the association held a balance of $1,101.10 in the Citizens Bank of Monroe and nearly $4,000 in an Endowment Fund.
Mailing List: The Secretary noted the mailing list included between 1,600 and 1,800 households, reflecting the massive scale of the William Bull and Sarah Wells lineage.
Leadership: Key officers included Henry P. Bull (President), Ernest M. Bull (Treasurer), and Robert McLeod Jackson (Secretary).
Notable Historical Context: The document mentions the 1783 settlement of family members in New Brunswick as Loyalists, highlighting the family's deep roots and its split during the American Revolution.
