Name/Title
101st Annual Bull Family Picnic - August 24, 1968Entry/Object ID
002198Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association, Bull PicnicScope and Content
These documents the "Bull"-E-Tins are from the program for the 101st Annual Bull Picnic, held on August 24, 1968, at the historic Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York. The event celebrated the 250th wedding anniversary of the family’s ancestors, William Bull and Sarah Wells (married August 25, 1718).
Here is a summary of the key information contained in the pages:
Commemorative Events
Wedding Re-enactment: A central feature of the picnic was a re-enactment of the 1718 wedding. Due to the lack of a priest in the frontier at that time, the original ceremony involved a magistrate proclaiming the bans to the trees, the cattle, and the wilderness to satisfy legal requirements.
Participants: Alison Ann Eager (representing the line of Ann) played the bride, and Robert Mitchell Hoppenstedt (representing the line of Thomas) played the groom.
Attire: Attendees were encouraged to wear or display their own wedding gowns to add "color to the celebration."
Financial Reports
The "Treasurer's Report" for the period of July 1, 1967, to June 30, 1968, details three primary funds:
General Funds: Total receipts of $3,505.50 (from dividends, interest, and field rent) against expenses of $3,297.74 for taxes, insurance, plumbing, and repairs.
Genealogy Funds: Ended the year with a balance of $3,389.70.
Endowment Fund: A significant fund with a total value of $26,069.86 (including over $20,000 in stock). The report notes that by law, the principal cannot be touched; only the income can be used for maintenance.
Leadership & Memorials
Officers (1967–1968): Led by President Chester Roe, Vice-President Andrew Wilson, Jr., Secretary Emma McWhorter, and Treasurer Henry P. Bull.
Memorial Contributions: Several pages list donations made in memory of family members. Notable contributions include $100.00 from Dollie B. Hepburn (in memory of Amy Hepburn and Ann Smith) and another $100.00 from the Sinclair family (in memory of Elizabeth Jenks).
Logistics
Location: The Bull Stone House is located off the Sarah Wells Trail, about 4 miles northeast of Goshen, NY.
The Meal: A "Basket Lunch" was traditionally brought by each family and opened at noon following a blessing.
