Name/Title
121st Annual Bull Family Picnic - August 20, 1988Entry/Object ID
002218Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association, Bull PicnicScope and Content
This newsletter, titled "Bull-E-Tins," serves as an announcement and historical record for the 121st Annual Bull Family Reunion, held on August 20, 1988, at the Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York.
The document highlights the family's deep-rooted history, dating back over 275 years to ancestors William Bull and Sarah Wells. Here is a summary of the key sections:
Event Highlights & Family Projects
121st Annual Reunion: Expected to draw roughly 500 relatives for a day of music, games, genealogy, and a "pioneer family" business meeting.
Antique Engine Demo: Bob Otto planned to demonstrate restored gas engines from the late 19th century, showing how they once powered farm equipment like washing machines and cream separators.
Signature Quilt: Completion of a family quilt featuring nearly 400 names. Fabric scraps were used to create matching pillow shams.
Sarah Wells Wedding Dress: The family is working with experts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to preserve and eventually display this historic artifact.
Family Legacies & Tributes
Emma Jones McWhorter: A lengthy tribute to the family’s former Secretary and Genealogist who passed away recently. She was instrumental in publishing the Bull Family History and Genealogy in 1974.
Homer Ramsdell Bull: A memorial for Homer, who died in June 1988 at nearly 104 years old. He was known as a master builder and a fixture at family picnics.
Canadian Reunion: Announcement of the 5th Annual Canadian Bull Picnic in Nauwigewauk, New Brunswick.
Governance & Maintenance
Board Activity: The board reported on extensive property maintenance, including fighting "verticillium wilt" in the homestead's maple trees, ditching fields for better drainage, and road repairs.
Financials: For the 1986–1987 fiscal year, the association reported an income of $15,924.29 and expenses of $28,556.96, with significant funds directed toward restoration and the Sarah Wells dress project.
Leadership: James K. Sinclaire, Jr. served as President, with Richard G. Ivory as Secretary.
Genealogy Efforts
The family Genealogist, Jean Garbe, noted that over 500 "Family Group Record" sheets were received. She urged members to continue submitting data, specifically asking for 7th-generation names to help connect younger descendants to the established family tree.
