Name/Title
154th Annual Bull Family Picnic - August 7, 2021Entry/Object ID
002251Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association, Bull PicnicScope and Content
The Spring 2021 edition of The "BULL"-e-tin, the newsletter for the William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association, focuses on the resilience of the Bull family during the COVID-19 pandemic and preparations for their 154th Annual Reunion.
Key Highlights & Events
154th Annual Bull Family Reunion: Scheduled for Saturday, August 7, 2021. It is planned as a hybrid event, offering both in-person attendance at the Stone House in Campbell Hall, NY (with social distancing and masks) and a virtual component via Zoom.
LEGOLAND New York: The newsletter celebrates the inclusion of a LEGO replica of the Bull Stone House in the "MINILAND" section of the new LEGOLAND park in Goshen, NY.
Celebrity Connections: The genealogy committee recently discovered that actress Katharine Ross (9th generation) and the late Richard William Bull (Little House on the Prairie) are descendants of the Bull family.
Association Updates
Genealogy: The family tree has grown to 14 generations and includes over 100,000 names.
Financial Health: The association reported a net operating income of $34,048 for the fiscal year ending June 2020. Major expenses included over $21,000 for house repairs and restoration.
Community Loss: President Lyle Shute noted with sadness that the Bull family lost approximately 200 members over the past year, many due to the pandemic.
Caretaker’s Report: Julie Boyd Cole detailed numerous maintenance projects completed during the shutdown, including planting "Three Sisters" gardens and installing birdhouses.
Support & Recognition
Donations: The newsletter lists hundreds of supporters, including "In Kind" donors and those giving in memory of loved ones.
Planned Giving: Judy Wood (Development Chair) introduced options for supporters to contribute via bequests, family trusts, or annuities to ensure the 300-year-old homestead's future.
Volunteer Spotlight: AJ DeWitt was recognized for his extensive hands-on labor at the property, from clearing the root cellar to managing the deer herd.
Leadership (2021 Officers)
President: Lyle Shute (Campbell Hall, NY)
Secretary: Nancy Boyd (Roseburg, OR)
Treasurer: Doug Stainton (Wurtsboro, NY)
Genealogist: Judy Wood (Highland Village, TX)
Archivist: Linda Bull (Walden, NY)
