Name/Title
111th Bull Family Annual PicnicEntry/Object ID
000589Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
Bull family gathers for annual picnic
The Times Herald Record, August 30, 1978
by Chris Farlekas
The article covers the 111th annual Bull Family Picnic, which brought nearly 400 descendants together to catch up and celebrate their heritage. The gathering took place at the historic stone house built by William Bull for his wife, Sarah Wells, in 1722. The event was marked by a sharing of memories, abundant homemade food, and gratitude for good weather, which the family jokingly attributes to their powerful prayers and formidable matriarchs.
People Mentioned in the Article
Homer R. Bull, Sr. (94): The oldest person to attend the picnic, hailing from Monroe.
William Bull Cocks (93): The second oldest attendee, described as a quiet man who reflected on the "miracles" of people and shared memories of his late wife.
Alma and Anna Ringelham (91): Twin sisters from Campbell Hall who were the two oldest women at the gathering. Both widows, they reverted to their maiden names.
Elizabeth Hunter (11 weeks) and Justin Cohen (6 months): The youngest family members attending the picnic.
Betty Bull Brown: A resident of the historic Stone House who commented on the family's luck with the weather, noting that it hasn't rained on a picnic in years.
Amy Bull Crist: A revered family figure and former regional school superintendent. Relatives joked that God wouldn't dare let it rain for fear she would scold Him. She is also famous for a "secret" ham recipe she has been making for decades.
Vertrees Ackerly: A woman in her 80s from Goshen who, despite being confined to a wheelchair, is celebrated as a perennially outstanding cook. The article features her recipe for Walnut Zucchini Bread.
Maryann and William Cohen: Parents of baby Justin (mentioned in the photo captions).
William Bull Brown and Timothy Bull Brown: An uncle and nephew pictured looking over old photographs together.
Robert Graves: A poet quoted at the very end of the article to reflect on the passage of time.
Photos
Top:
William Bull Brown, right, looks over old pictures with his nephew, Timothy Bull Brown.
Middle:
Alma and Anna Ringelham, are 91-year-old twins from Campbell Hall.
Lower Middle:
Above, the youngest male at the picnic: Justin Bull Brown, 6 months. He is the son of Maryann and William Cohen of Goshen. At right, Vertrees Ackerly is perennially an outstanding cook.
Bottom:
There's no need hiding your light under a bushel when you can proclaim your ancestry to the world with a license plate like William Bull Brown's. (Text on the license plate itself): BULL - NEW YORK