Name/Title
68th BULL FAMILY PICNIC August 24, 1935Entry/Object ID
002992Tags
Bull PicnicScope and Content
Here is the word-for-word transcription of the image text:
68th BULL FAMILY PICNIC
August 24, 1935
Always different, always the same, such are these picnics. As in a kaleidoscope colors and forms combine and recombine to delight the eye, so at these gatherings incidents of life and friendship fall into never ending forms, bringing happiness to the spirit. Particularly did this seem true of 1935. A perfect June day, born out of time in August, the Ivy covered walls of the “Stone House”, built more than two centuries ago, the meadows cleared and used by our remote forebears, with the Stars and Stripes caught by the breeze, formed the setting. For the nonce, those problems of modern life of which none of us is free, were so distant they did not exist; perhaps for the occasion we lost ourselves in the illusion that in William and Sarah’s time life was carefree, and so should be this day.
One participant sees but a few of those countless circumstances which combine to make the day a happy one. This year one new and special joy was brought through Miss Amy L. Hepburn, one of Columbia’s Librarians, in selecting and sending us a representative of the University to lead the children in their games. In giving her thought to this matter Miss Hepburn brought to fruition a long deferred hope. Naturally the children coming from all quarters, are largely strange to each other, and without some leadership waste half the day in getting acquainted, only to be whisked away by some waiting car for at least another year. Consequently, one heard from parents now and then: “There is not much at the picnic for children.” No such reproach could be expressed this year, thanks to Miss Hepburn and her choice of Miss Gandy. A dart board, borrowed from Miss Dolly Booth from Mr. Farley proved a major source of fun, as all day a gay group stood throwing the darts. Ask children if they have enjoyed themselves and not wishing to disappoint you they’ll seldom say “No”, but did they? That is another matter. This year, their sparkling eyes and emphatic answers left no doubt of the good time they had had. Thus may one in a city 60 miles away be present by proxy, pending personal appearance another year.
Twelve tribes make up the family: years ago Margaret Cocks Harlow suggested that ribbons of different colors be used to designate the descendants of the several tribes. It remained for the late Edna Beakes Dickerson (of happy memory) to put the idea into practice in 1932. Mrs. Dickerson chose dark colors for the five tribes coming from the sons, and light shades for the seven coming from the daughters. This year Mrs. Margaret Dill Hallagan and her attractive niece Margaret McClung, continuing Mrs. Dickerson’s precedent, gave out the ribbons. Many comers did not know their tribe. Some lines are naturally better known than others; for instance that of John, the eldest son, in whose branch the Stone House was always held; Thomas’s descendants are so numerous and well scattered that they seem omnipresent; William’s tribe is smaller but is well represented by members among whom the passage of years and the coming of a new generation seem only to strengthen family bonds. Isaac’s line is less well known; and Richard has no descendants here, as he and his wife, faithful to the Crown, went to Nova Scotia (now New Brunswick), with the Loyalists.
Among the daughters, perhaps Mary is best represented in the councils of the family. Mary’s descendants are apt to be colorful and energetic, brimful of ideas, which they are ready to put into effect; no meeting is dull where Mary is well represented. Catherine, whom a few years since some feared had been lost, was represented by Miss Ophelia Houston, of Newburgh, in her 88th year, crippled and unable to leave her car, but a smiling, interested listener to all that went on, with a cordial greeting to those who came to her window. Hearty handclasps welcomed her coming: happy toward her and the compliment she had paid them in making the very real effort to come.
However, this year was Ann’s. In the first place, Mrs. Elliott McClung (Frances Dill) had made a beginning in carrying out certain ideas of hers in beautifying the lane to the house; ferns and pussy willows set out this spring are but the forerunners of what is to come. Appropriately enough, Mrs. McClung chose as her assistants two promising young scions of Ann, Rowland McBride and Bob Whitaker. Then Mrs. McClung’s sisters, Mrs. Hallagan, and her daughter Margaret McClung, presided over the tribal ribbons as already stated. Another daughter of Ann, Elizabeth H. Merrifield (formerly Lizzie McBride), of Pasadena, Calif., conveyed her warm greetings, which the width of a continent cannot diminish, by a check of $25 for the Association’s funds. Then as climax, Ann’s descendant, Miss Marion Teed of Montgomery, came bearing gifts from George Eager of Montgomery and from her own immediate family. Mr. Eager, unable to come himself, sent a small, low rush bottomed chair which had belonged to Peter Bull of Purgatory, son of Isaac, son of William and Sarah. On behalf of herself, her mother and her brothers and sisters, Miss Teed presented the Association with three large pieces of a quilt which had been quilted of homemade materials by William and Sarah’s daughters for their sister, Ann, who married William Eager. Perhaps they gave their little sister (the youngest but Eleanor) a birthday gift or even a wedding present, for the workmanship was beautiful. Rounds of applause followed Miss Teed’s presentation speech, as thanks to Mr. Eager and herself and her family.
Another event which brought universal satisfaction and more applause was the announcement of the birth that morning in the Goshen Hospital of a son to John G. Thew of Hamptonburgh, and his wife, formerly Ruth I. Black of Warwick.
Mrs. Wesley Wait (formerly Lillian Bull) of Newburgh, had long had in mind to have a model of the Stone House placed where visitors might, if inclined, drop a contribution down the chimney, to be used for the upkeep of the property. She had proposed to her young nephew, Guy Slaughter of Warwick, that if he would make her such a receptacle she would give him her 1922 Model T Ford. Guy agreed. In carrying the idea out the interest of Guy’s father, Charles W. Slaughter, was aroused; and he took exact measurements of the house. The result was a faithful replica of the building. This Mrs. Wait presented at the meeting. Her speech and the gift evoked loud acclaim. Spontaneously one after another, subscriptions were put down the chimney until $45 resulted.
It is a pleasure to report the gift to the Endowment Fund of $100 each by Carrie Bull Knight and Mary Bull Patterson in memory of their brother, the late Jesse Bull of Monroe.
Three managers were elected at the business meeting, which was conducted by Harry C. Bull, retiring president; two new members, Albert C. Bull of Chester and Amy Bull Crist of Montgomery. Robert McLeod Jackson was reelected. Barlow Wright Bull of Stony Ford was elected chairman of the Picnic Committee and Amy Bull Crist, of the Reception Committee. Each was given power to choose the other committee members.
Greetings were received from Andrew S. Beyea of Smithtown, N. B., Canada; Mrs. Minnie Bull Blandin of Los Angeles, and Mr. Tears of Walden. Letters were received from Mrs. Frank Worth of Walla Walla, Wash., and Fred J. Purdy of Caro, Mich., regretting inability to attend. The ribbon for coming the greatest distance was awarded to the little Nancy Bull, daughter of Walter D. Bull of Buffalo.
Later in the afternoon the new Board of Managers met and chose Albert C. Bull as president; Amy Bull Crist as vice-president; Ernest M. Bull as treasurer and R. McL. Jackson as secretary.
A list of the family statistics, of which the Secretary has learned since the picnic of 1934, is printed below.
A change in the occupancy of the Stone House is about to take place. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Ellsworth, the present occupants, have bought a place for themselves at East Walden and plan to vacate our house in September. Mrs. Ellsworth, formerly Mabel Philcox, was with the late Mrs. Ebenezer Bull for about 11 years before her death. She was devoted to Mrs. Bull and has since faithfully kept the house in order and received visitors. A resolution was passed thanking her for her faithful and efficient service.
Ever since Mrs. Bull’s death, it has been desired to find a member of the family to live in the house as host. It is now hoped that the desire is about to be fulfilled by Charles B. Howell of Washingtonville. Great enthusiasm was expressed by the gathering at the prospect of Mr. Howell’s coming to the house with his family and we all hope to see them there for many, many years to come.
The following is a list of the family statistics of which the Secretary has learned since the picnic of 1934:
1933 — Births
July 22—Buel, Richard Van Wyck, Jr., son of Richard Van Wyck Buel and Frances Thompson Buel, of Montclair, N. J.
Sept. 22—Cooper, Harry Raymond, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cooper, of Bullville, N. Y.
April ----—Page, Ronald, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Page of Dover, N. H.
1934
July 16—Bull, E. Myron, Jr., son of E. Myron Bull and Frances Morse Patten Bull of New York City.
Nov. 6—Cornell, Lawrence, son of Herbert Cornell and Ruth Schoonmaker Cornell of Walden, N. Y.
Sept. 5—Eager, Gerald, son of Samuel W. Eager and Muriel Whigham Eager, of Middletown, N. Y.
Sept. 5—Johnson, Philip Wheeler, son of Mary Wheeler and Floyd A. Johnson of Warwick, N. Y.
Dec. 16—Luft, Mary Carolyn, daughter of Carolyn Kniffen Coleman and George Luft, Jr., of Goshen, N. Y.
July 25—Roe, Alfred Russell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Roe, of Chester, N. Y.
Sept. 29—Schuerholz, Frank Ebenezer, son of Elizabeth Greene Bull and Herman H. Schuerholz, of Middletown, N. Y.
Nov. 15—Schoonmaker, Paul Denton, son of Theodore D. Schoonmaker and Marion Jepson, of Maldon, Mass.
Oct. 23—Smith, Donald Henry, son of Harry Smith and Lena Patton Smith of Crystal Run, N. Y.
Nov. 27—Taber, Robert Clarke, Jr., son of Robert Clarke Taber and Lois Randall Taber, of Philadelphia, Pa.
Feb. ----—Teed, Irene Mabel, daughter of Stephen Teed and Lois Booth Teed of Hopewell Junction, N. Y.
1935
July 27—Burnett, Jerard Clarence, son of Katrina Eager and Clarence Burnett, of Montgomery, N. Y.
Feb. 28—Christianson, Marie Carol, daughter of Helen Blandin Christianson and ---- Christianson of Racine, Wis.
June 14—Conklin, Edward Ariel, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Roe Conklin, of Chester, N. Y.
June 11—Conklin, Roberta Jean, daughter of Lila Blake and Lawrence Conklin of Montgomery, N. Y.
Jan. 9—Darlington, Elizabeth Anne, daughter of Florence Brush and C. Pelham Darlington, of Fanwood, N. J.
May 13—Gillen, Patricia Anne, daughter of Margaret Ethel Roberson and Leonard Weld Gillen, of Bullville, N. Y.
June 7—Higgins, Lawrence, Jr., son of Mary Eager and Lawrence Higgins, of Syracuse, N. Y.
April 8—Houston, Ruth Sutherland, daughter of I. Harold Houston and Anne Sutherland Houston, of Goshen, N. Y.
Aug. 10—Knight, Clarence Seely, 2nd., son of Charles Bull Knight and Eloise Tannery Knight of Monroe, N. Y.
May 12—Roberson, Joan Marion, daughter of Warren Theodore Roberson and Marion Woodmansee Roberson of Bullville, N. Y.
May 11—Schoonmaker, John Bullard, son of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Schoonmaker, of New York City.
April 1—Slaughter, Terry Welles, son of Alfred B. and Ruth H. Slaughter, of Darien, Conn.
June 3—Taber, Nancy Ann, daughter of Edna Yosse and C. Kenneth Taber, of Milton, N. Y.
May 30—Teed, Stephen, Jr., son of Stephen Teed and Lois Booth Teed of Hopewell Junction, N. Y.
Aug. 24—Thew, John Gurnee, Jr., son of John G. Thew and Ruth Black Thew of Hamptonburgh, N. Y.
Aug. 13—Thompson, Hugh, 3rd, son of Victoria Buel and Dr. Hugh Thompson of Albany, N. Y.
1933 — Marriages
Apr. 19—Roberson, Warren Theodore, of Bullville, N. Y., to Marion Woodmansee, of Pine Bush, N. Y.
Nov. 3—Roberson, Margaret Ethel, of Bullville, N. Y., to Leonard Weld Gillen, of Fair Oaks, N. N.
1934
Aug. 30—Hawkins, Vernon Hale, of Goodwill, N. Y., to Miss Athene Mildred Ketcham of Middletown, N. Y.
Dec. 4—Hawkins, Clarence, of Montgomery, N. Y., to Jane Anthony, of Walden, N. Y.
July 19—Howell, Pierson Beyea, to Alice Hare, both of Denver, Colo.
Dec. 22—Meeks, Helen, to Earle Hicks Porter, both of Nashville, Tenn.
Nov. 26—Shaw, Frances Marie, to John Fescoe, both of Newburgh, N. Y.
Oct. 20—Wheaton, Alice Hermion, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Edwin Alfred Butt, of Melbourne, Australia.
1935
Feb. 11—Alexander, Annie Ostrom, of New York City, to Henry Shirley Millett, M. D., of Brooklyn, N. Y.
June 23—Cooper, Elsie Maud, to Isaac Blauvelt, both of Bullville, N. Y.
July 6—Decker, Murray Theodore Derby, of New Rochelle, N. Y., to Gladys Margaret Struckman.
----Dickerson, Beakes, particulars not yet obtained.
June 1—Hallock, Mrs. Wilametta Youngs, of Elizabeth, N. J., to Carl Ness, of Emerson Hill, Staten Island, N. Y.
June 10—Jamison, Hilda C., of Pine Bush, N. Y., to William E. Walsh, of Bergenfield, N. J.
June 17—Johnson, Mrs. Amy Thew, of Chester, N. N., to Charles Campbell Cocks, of Cornwall, N. Y.
Jan. 4—Meeks, Lane Gaston, to Sally Belle Hubbell, both of Nashville, Tenn.
Deaths
1933
Dec. 26—Boyd, Frank, of Montgomery, N. Y.
Dec. 22—Bull, John Milton (of the tribe of John), at his home in Smithtown, N. B., Canada, aged 82 years, 8 mos., and 22 days.
May 8—Campbell, Mrs. Catherine Bull, of Middletown, N. Y.
Oct. 23—Christie, Mrs. Selena Wells, of Goshen, N. Y.
Dec. 11—Dubois, Emma M. Sands, wife of Ezekiel Dubois of Little Britain, N. Y.
Oct. 29—Landon, Brig. Gen. Thomas Durland, of Bordentown, N. J.
Dec. 17—Morgan, Marian Wilson, of Denver, Colorado.
Dec. 17—Morgan, Mary Decker, of Denver, Colorado.
Dec. 3—Sands, Alice Harcourt, wife of Frank Sands of Marlborough, N. Y.
Nov. 14—Taylor, Anna Duryea, widow of Hamilton R. Taylor, of Pine Bush, N. Y.
Sept. 15—Vail, Fred W., Sr., of Milton, N. N.
Sept. 8—Weller, Alfred, husband of Ada May Beakes, of 601 Washington Street, Boonton, N. J.
Dec. 22—Werren, Helen Elizabeth Bull, widow of Horace Hatch Werren, of Boston, Mass. (Native of Woodstock, N. B., and descendant of the Loyalist, the late Capt. George Bull).
1935
Apr. 8—Babcock, Lena Bull.
July 9—Bell, Mrs. Hannah Booth, of Oakland, California.
Jan. 11—Bull, Miss Bessie Y., of Harrison, N. Y., daughter of the late Ebenezer and Clara Roe Bull.
Jan. 20—Bull, Jesse, of Monroe, N. Y.
Apr. 22—Bull, Margaret Jackman, wife of E. Norman Bull of Albany, N. Y.
Aug. 14—Bull, Minnie Johnston, widow of the late Tyler Bull, of Montclair, N. J.
July 6—Clarke, Edna Florence Anderson, wife of Albert G. Clarke, at Valley Falls, N. Y.
Feb. 17—Decker, Grace Kidd, widow of David Bull Decker, of Chicago, Ill., in the 75th year of her age.
May 3—Farrington, Miss Rachel Ward, of New York City, in the 80th year of her age.
Feb. 9—Farrington, Ward Howell, of West New York, N. J.
Jan. 18—Faulkner, Miss Martha Ann, of Elmira, N. Y., aged about 80 years.
Apr. 6—Forbes, Miss Jane, of Montgomery, N. Y., aged 68 years, daughter of the late John McLachlan Forbes and Ann Elizabeth Miller.
May 1—Helme, Mary Conklin, widow of Nathan W. Helme, deceased, of Chester, N. Y., in her 79th year.
June 11—Knight, Charles Steele, of Detroit, Mich.
Aug. 5—Mould, Miss Martha, of Highland Mills, N. Y., aged 65 years.
Feb. 17—Mould, William J., of Montgomery, N. Y.
Mar. 25—Mowbray, Lee, of Middletown, Orange Co., N. Y.
Mar. ----—Neales, Margaret Ferguson Bull, wife of the Rev. Dr. Scovil Neales, of Gagetown, N. B., Canada, in her 69th year; daughter of the late Dr. Augustin Birdsall Bull and Margaret MacNiel Bull.
May 25—Nearpass, Mrs. Egbert E., of Port Jervis, N. Y.
Jan. ----—Seaman, William, of Washingtonville, N. Y.
July 24—Smith, Donald Henry, infant son of Harry Smith and Lena Patton Smith, of Crystal Run, N. Y.
Mar. 15—Titus, Mary Jane, at the home of her daughter in Sussex, N. B., Canada, aged 95 years, 5 mos. and 21 days.
Mar. 22—VanKeuren, Nellie Mowbray Crist, wife of Miller VanKeuren, of Montgomery, N. Y.
Jan. 1—Webb, S. Helen Breed, widow of the late Stephen I. Webb of Campbell Hall, N. Y., and for many years an Honorary Member of the Bull family.
June 29—Wells, Charles S., of Middletown, N. Y., son of the late Alfred and Lydia Nyce Wells, born at Goshen, N. Y., April 2, 1852.
July 31—Youngs, Norman M., of Oxford Depot, N. Y.
(Vertical text on the right margin)
From The Independent Republican, Goshen, N. Y., August 27 and September 3.