Name/Title
107th Annual Bull Picnic Aug 25, 1974Entry/Object ID
000568Tags
Bull PicnicScope and Content
32 August 25, 1974 SUNDAY RECORD
Bull family descendants feast, visit at reunion
HAMPTONBURGH - A book, a baby and a birthday dominated the
107th annual Bull family picnic Saturday. More than 300 gathered for a day
of feasting and visiting at the oldest house in Orange County.
While most were from the region, others came from as far away as
California, Colorado and Florida for what one person described as
"the quintessential American event." All morning the people gathered.
At noon, great helpings of food were spread on long wooden
tables. Family and friends gathered around what they dubbed
"groaning boards." They feasted on large hams, turkey, fried
chicken, potato salad, fresh red tomatoes, homemade bread, 10
inch-high angel food cake chocolate cake with fudge icing
and watermelon. After two hours of eating, an informal meeting was held, hosted by Bull Family Assn. President Frederick N. Bement of
Montgomery, superintendent of the Pine Bush schools.
Mrs. Mary Jean Kracht of Monterey, Calif. was honored for
having come the longest distance. Her father, William Conklin, of
Chester, celebrated his 80th birthday, surrounded by his six
children and 15 grandchildren, while everyone sang Happy
Birthday. The youngest member of the family was two-month old Jesse
Booth, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Booth of Middletown. The
infant is a sixth generation Bull family descendant. The oldest person attending was 91-year-old Elizabeth Mapes of Monroe.
The most discussed feature of the day was "The Bull Family
History and Genealogy." The book has been eagerly awaited since
plans were first announced for publication by Middletown
publisher T. Emmett Henderson four years ago.
The massive book traces the history and genealogy of the
county's first family. William Bull and Sarah Wells were the first
white couple married in the county (Aug. 25, 1718). They had 12
children. When Sarah died in 1796 at age 102, she left 335
descendants. Today, there are more than 4,000 descendants in the association. Late in the afternoon, the family stood under the gently swaying
trees and sang the traditional closing hymn, "God Be With You
Till We Meet Again." Goodbys said, it was over for another year.
(Caption under photograph)
With a replica of the Bull stone house in the foreground, Middletown publisher T. Emmett Henderson gives the first copy of the "Bull Family History and Genealogy" to Mrs. Helen Booth of Warwick.
- Record photo by Chris Farlekas