Sept 1916 Hamlet Roe named President of Bull Family Middletown Daily Times-Press

Name/Title

Sept 1916 Hamlet Roe named President of Bull Family "Middletown Daily Times-Press"

Entry/Object ID

000438

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MIDDLETOWN DAILY TIMES-PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMB HAMLET S. ROE IS NAMED AS PRESIDENT OF BULL FAMILY More Than 300 Members Attend Luncheon and Hear Interesting Speeches The Bull House, Hamptonburg, erected 1722. "There was one great drawback at the Bull family reunion Wednesday," was the verdict of those who attended, "and that was the absence of the children." Many families, as a measure of precaution, thought it wiser to leave the children at home, and thus only about 300 members partook of the luncheon at noon. Had the children been there, the number of persons present would have reached 500. "It didn't seem quite the same without the children," they declared. The reunion was held on the grounds of Hamlet S. Roe's farm at Craigville near Greycourt. The day was a delightful one and the occasion proved equally pleasant to those who attended. The meeting was called to order by President Willard H. Bull of Middletown, who called upon Hamlet S. Roe for the address of welcome. Mr. Roe extended a welcome of great heartiness, and launched upon an interesting description of the country immediately surrounding the farm. A response was made by President Bull that excellently expressed the sentiment of the family. "Willard Bull surpassed himself," said a member of the family, "never before hav- [Column Break] heard him speak so eloquently." After the luncheon, held on the lawn the meeting was called to order at 2 o'clock by the president, who announced that Mr. and Mrs. William Conklin had opened their place to visitors at 2 o'clock. Many took advantage of this opportunity to see more of the original Wawayanda patent. The business meeting for the election of officers and other matters followed. The minutes of last year's picnic were read by William B. Bull, of Stony Ford, secretary-treasurer. Miss Mary E. Wheeler, of Warwick, then gave her report as treasurer. She has handled the finances of the association in a manner which is highly creditable to her. Miss Wheeler for the first time in many years reported a deficit, there being about $80 in the treasury. The officers elected were: Hamlet S. Roe, president; William Bull, the whole-souled Bull of Stony Ford, first vice-president; Miss Mary Wheeler, of Warwick, treasurer; Mrs. William V. Seaman of Cornwall, secretary. The executive committee, Bartow Bull of Stony Ford, Wellington Booth of Campbell Hall, and George Howell of Campbell Hall. William Bennett, of Goshen, grandson of Mrs. Dolly Ann Conklin, the oldest member of the family, gave an address in which he said: "We should live so that when the old folks pass away they could see us, as we are proud of them." J. Howard Arch, of the Bull family of Stony Ford, declared that the audience acted as an inspiration to any speaker. He closed with complimentary remarks on the welfare and happiness of the family as a whole. Ebenezer Bull, present owner of the original stone house, which has been standing for 200 years, gave a brief description of the house. In connection with this it is interesting to note that the ceiling of the first floor is 11 feet high and that of the second story nine feet high-rather unusual in a house of that date. He also said that the first roof put on the house lasted for 100 years, until 1860, when it was replaced. The original lime mortar still holds the stones together and shows very little wear. The walls at the foundation are 30 inches thick, tapering to 18 inches at the top. Mrs. Seaman in an interesting manner presented historical facts of Craigville. She told of the powder mill and forge used during the Revolution. The village, which is one of the old residents. The village lies on the military road from Newburgh inland used by Washington's army during the Revolution. The Methodist church, built in 1850, has not been changed in structure since it was first built. The first steam [cut off] [Center Column] dress of Sarah Wells, which is still in excellent condition. It is a beautiful piece of cloth, prettily decorated with flower designs. Announcement was made that a complete history of Sarah Wells has just been completed by Mrs. Mary H. Barrel of 46 Seventh avenue, New York city. A history of the family was read by Miss Elizabeth Miller Mills at the reunion in 1874. John Bull of Sayer, Pa., one of the most faithful attendants at the picnics, was requested to make a few remarks, but declined in favor of an uncle, J. H. Chaffee of the same place who had married an aunt of John Bull of Towanda, Pa. Mr. Chaffee, being favorably impressed by the patriotic trimmings of the grounds, was inspired to recite "Barbara Freitshie" Many noted personages were present, among who were John N. Roy, of Cleveland, O., who Wednesday celebrated his 85th birthday. He was accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. L. T. Tarvell, and a friend, Miss Edith L. Bull, of California, and by Mrs. Estelle Roe, of Ackron, Ohio. James V. Bull, of Easton, Pa., wrote a letter, which was read. A letter had also been received from Stephen M. Bull, of Newburgh, in which the names of his grandchildren were given. These names are all the old names which have been in the family for generations. At the second family reunion, a large registry had been purchased, and at each reunion since then, the members have had the opportunity of registering. The book is a most interesting record, and contains many names. Considerable pleasure was evidenced by the family at the arrival of the seventh generation, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Horton of Kansas. It was learned Wednesday, however, that the family goes as far as the eighth generation. John N. Roy, of Ohio, has a great granddaughter, 13 years old, the eighth generation, Mrs. William Wheeler, of Warwick, has a grandson, also the eighth generation. As usual, a number of songs were sung during the day, among these being "America" and the well known "God be with you till we meet again," the closing song. Next year the reunion will be held on the old grounds at Campbell Hall formerly owned by the father of Richard Bull of Newburgh, now in the possession of the Campbell Hall Church. [Bottom left corner insert] cooked cereals were made in this place. Miss Edna Tuttle wore the wedding

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Person or Organization

BSH Association, Bull Family