Name/Title
116th Annual Bull Family Picnic - August 27, 1983Entry/Object ID
002213Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association, Bull PicnicScope and Content
The provided documents the "Bull"-E-Tins are pages from a 1983 bulletin announcing the 116th Annual Bull Family Meeting and Picnic, held at the historic Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York.
The bulletin serves as an invitation, a progress report on the family homestead, and a record of the association’s leadership and finances.
Event Details: The 116th Annual Picnic
Date & Time: Saturday, August 27, 1983. Lunch at 12:00 p.m., followed by a business meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Location: The Bull Stone House, Hamptonburgh, NY.
Special Occasion: The meeting coincided with the 300th anniversary of Orange County. Attendees were encouraged to wear period-appropriate "dress of years gone by."
Activities: Tours of the homestead, pony rides for children, authentic music, and an "encampment" to view. The McBride family also planned their gathering to coincide with the event.
Board Action & Restoration Updates
The Board reported on several significant restoration projects completed between July 1982 and June 1983:
The Little House: Restoration is complete after delays caused by an accident involving the restoration specialist. Work included rebuilding the stone foundation and installing a new roof and siding.
Energy Efficiency: New white aluminum combination windows were installed in the Stone House to reduce heat loss, which successfully lowered oil consumption over the winter.
General Maintenance: Repairs were made to the back entrance of the Stone House, antique furniture was restored, and routine plumbing and masonry repairs were performed.
Future Planning: The Board noted that operating expenses are rising (between $7,000 and $8,000 annually) and requested donations to avoid depleting the principal of their endowment.
Financial & Organizational Status
Treasurer’s Report: As of May 15, 1983, the General Fund held significant assets, including over $43,000 in a money market account. The Memorial Endowment Fund held over $21,000.
Genealogy: Jean Garbe was named the new Family Genealogist and began work on the second volume of the family history. The third printing of "The History and Genealogy of the William Bull and Sarah Wells Family" was made available for $45.00.
Leadership: The association was led by James K. Sinclaire, Jr. (President) and Michael K. Brown (Vice President).
Memorials and Records
The bulletin includes a lengthy list of Memorial Contributions, naming dozens of family members in whose memory donations were made. It also lists the Board of Directors with terms ending in 1983, 1984, and 1985, as well as a hand-drawn map providing directions to the Bull Stone House via Sarah Wells Trail.
