Name/Title
Lineage of 2,600 acres in Orange County to William Bull and Richard JerrardEntry/Object ID
002633Tags
William Bull, Ebenezer Bull, Peter BullScope and Content
This is a fascinating historical document concerning the Bull family of Orange County, New York—one of the area's most prominent pioneer families. The manuscript serves as a formal receipt and record of transfer for land patents and legal papers dating back to the reign of King George I.
Where as it has been Customary for a long time past among
Civilized nations, to grant Certain Portions of their territory
to Certain Individuals their heirs and assigns-And
where as in pursuance of Said Custom George 1st King of Great
Brittain &c by his representatives Wm Burnet Captn General
Governor &c of the province of New-York & Archid Kennedy
Collector &c Cadwallader Colden Surveyor General of said
Province-did grant by letters patent Bearing Date August
10th 1723 unto Richard Gerrard & Wm Bull 2 600 acres
lying in the County of Orange. And it being necessary to
preserve Said writings for the benefit of all Concerned
and Peter Bull Grandson of said Wm Bull having
Said writings & others concerning Said Wm Bull & his
heirs, and the Said Peter Bull being now more than 80
years of age, believing it to be proper to deposit them
with some Younger branch of Said family, and Ebenezer
Bull Great Grandson of said Wm now living on Said premises
& in the Mansion house built by said Wm Bull-
do Certify that I have received of the Said Peter Bull
the following writings Viz-
The Patent Granted to Richard Gerrard & Wm Bull
Certificate of Said patent
A Receipt for Quit rents in full forever
A Deed from Richard Gerrard to Wm Bull
The Account of Fees to Secretary office for Patent &c
The Probate of Wm Bulls Will
The Inventory of the goods & Chattles of Wm Bull
Cover page
E. Bulls
Receipt For Writings
Recd of Peter Bull
Document Summary
This document acts as a formal transfer of historical records within the Bull family. It traces the lineage and land ownership of the family back to August 10, 1723, when King George I (via Governor William Burnet and Surveyor General Cadwallader Colden) granted 2,600 acres in Orange County to William Bull and Richard Gerrard.
Key highlights include:
The Parties: Peter Bull (grandson of the original settler), who is noted as being over 80 years old, is passing the family archives to Ebenezer Bull (great-grandson).
The Location: Ebenezer is noted as living in the "Mansion house" built by the original William Bull (likely referring to the Stone House in Hamptonburgh, which still stands today as a historic site).
The Inventory: The documents being transferred include the original 1723 patent, a deed from Gerrard to Bull (giving Bull sole or primary ownership), the probate of William Bull's will, and an inventory of his "goods and chattles."
This manuscript is a vital link in the provenance of the Bull family estate, ensuring that the legal proof of their land claims remained with the branch of the family actually occupying the ancestral home.
