Name/Title
96th Annual Bull Family Picnic - August 24, 1963Entry/Object ID
002192Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association, Bull PicnicScope and Content
These documents provide a detailed program and financial report for the 96th Annual Bull Picnic, held on Saturday, August 24, 1963, at the historic Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York.
The Bull family is a long-standing lineage descended from William Bull and Sarah Wells, prominent early settlers of Orange County.
Event Origins and History
The First Gathering: The tradition began on September 18, 1868, as a "basket picnic" to dedicate a monument to William Bull and Sarah Wells. Over 100 descendants attended.
Location: Originally held near the Hamptonburgh Church and "Heards Tavern," the picnic moved to a grove in Campbell Hall in 1884. It is now held at the Stone House (built in 1722), which was acquired by the Family Association to ensure its preservation.
Historical Records: The documents cite a paper titled "The Origin of the Bull Family Picnic" found in the house's "Treasure Chests" and mention early family historians like Prof. Richard A. Bull and Dolly W. Booth.
Association Business and Governance
Meetings: The 1963 meeting included votes on by-law amendments to increase the Board of Managers from nine to twelve members.
Leadership: In 1963, the Association was led by President Earl Dickerson, Treasurer Henry P. Bull, and Secretary Mrs. George H. Thompson.
Membership: The Association is supported by voluntary gifts rather than dues. It maintains three primary funds: General (operations/repairs), Endowment (long-term support), and Genealogy (record publishing).
Financial Status (1962–1963)
The Treasurer’s Report shows a robust financial position for a family association of that era:
General Fund: Ended the year with a balance of $629.96 after expenses like school taxes, land taxes, and $801 in house repairs.
Genealogy Fund: Held $1,523.66, with a goal of reaching $5,000 to publish a comprehensive family record.
Endowment & Investments: The Association held a significant portfolio of stocks in companies such as AT&T, U.S. Steel, and Standard Oil, with a total endowment cost value of $14,465.66.
Genealogical Efforts
The family was actively updating their records, reaching into the 12th generation of descendants. The Association urged members to send updated family charts to Miss Dolly W. Booth to replace data lost during a previous move and to complete the final two generations needed for a new book.
