Name/Title
“It’s A Wonderful Feeling To Have A Wonderful HeritageEntry/Object ID
000592Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
“It’s A Wonderful Feeling To Have A Wonderful Heritage”
Text & Photos by Martha S. Anderson
THE BULL FAMILY ASSOCIATION PICNIC, 1978
by Martha S. Anderson
Independent Republican, Goshen, NY, August 30, 1978, p. 6.
One of the oldest members of the Bull Family, William Bull Cox, 93, said that as a youngster he had shinnied up trees to hang the Stars and Stripes for the family picnics, then held at a location in Campbell Hall, and the American Flag waved over the grounds of the Bull Stone House in the Town of Hamptonburgh on the occasion of the 111th annual family get-together on August 26, 1978. At the conclusion of the meeting to elect Directors for the Bull Family Association (the title of which will soon be changed to the William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association) the strains of voices, over 200 strong (a record or near record number of participants) singing “Till We Meet Again” drifted through the air. Down the lane leading to the Stone House members of the younger generation played volley ball, played in the neatly mowed grass, and the Flag floated proudly in a light breeze.
Michael Brown, tenant of the Stone House for 11 years come Thanksgiving, who was brought up there, the father of 7 children 3 of whom are still with them at home, is proud of and knowledgeable about the history of the Bull Stone House. Built in 1722 by William Bull as his own home following his marriage to Sarah Wells in 1718, the first wedding of white people in the Town of Goshen, this building has been lived in by only descendants of the original occupants. During the Federal Period more than 100 years ago, the wooden shingle roof was replaced by the present slates, thus altering the roof lines slightly. Otherwise, no major architectural changes have been made. Electricity has been installed and indoor plumbing was put in back in 1935, just prior to the occupancy of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brown (parents of Michael Brown and four other children) beginning in 1937.
The Brown family was represented by four generations attending the 1978 picnic. Louis and Corinne Bull Brown, together with John and Helen Bull Van Der Vort, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversaries this year.
Fred Dement of Bullville Road, Bullville, President of the Bull Family Association, who presided over the official meeting held in conjunction with the picnic, introduced Mr. Donald Clark, Orange County Historian, who, in turn, introduced Mr. Donald Stewart, Ass’t. General Manager of the Palisades Park System. Mr. Stewart presented a certificate proclaiming the Bull Stone House as being listed in the National Register of Historic Places, United States Department of the Interior, by nomination by the State Historic Preservation Offices under provisions of the Division of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. To the descendants of William and Sarah Wells Bull, this is proof that a family who retains close ties with the past is indeed rewarded.
And ties there are! Greeting of “Hello, Fred” -- “Hi, Emma” -- “How are things, cousin?” -- could be heard. Amy Bull Crist, a well known family member, as she held the youngest child at the picnic, said that they were fourth cousins. Whereupon another relative stated laughingly but emphatically, “Well, maybe a little more removed, but we’re still all cousins!”
The family may be separated geographically, but the ties are still there, strong enough to draw distant members to the annual picnic. Some came many, many miles to attend. Rose and Lorenzo Ringlehan came the farthest, all the way from Largo, Florida. Marjorie Jackson, Registrar for the event, presented the couple with a Blue Ribbon of recognition.
Ribbons were also pinned on William Bull Cox for having attended the greatest number of picnics -- 85 out of his 93 years. Apparently, the oldest member present was Homer Bull, 94. Also attending was Mrs. Nellie Miller, 92. Not as old, but certainly most unusual, was a pair of twin sisters dressed in chic pantsuits -- “Only 91. Don’t make us older!” -- Anna Gorse of Bethlehem and Alma Ringlehan of Campbell Hall.
The youngest person at the picnic was 11 week old Elizabeth Evelyn Hunter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hunter of the Town of Blooming Grove. Elizabeth’s Dad had been the youngest at his first Bull Family picnic.
In addition to congratulations to the Browns and Van Der Vorts, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Euvard were congratulated for having celebrated their fifty-third wedding anniversary on April 12th of the year, and Edna palmer were congratulated on her 85th birthday which she was celebrating that day.
Memories of long ago picnics were recalled, such as the first auto arriving at the gathering in 1903. Now, the car of William Bull Brown, grandson (with five “greats” before the title) of William Bull, sports a license plate with only the letters “BULL”.
The Bull Family’s bonds are as strong as the Stone House, which has stood steadfastly for over 250 years. The theme of the 111th family picnic on August 26, 1978, as voiced by a family member would seem to be, “It’s a wonderful feeling to have a wonderful heritage.”
Photos: Top-Left:
Amy Bull Crist holds Elizabeth Hunter, 11 weeks old, youngest family member at this year's picnic.
Top-Right:
Twin sisters, Anna Gorse and Alma Ringlehan, 91 years young, also attended.
Middle-Left:
Marjorie Jackson pins a Blue Ribbon of Recognition on William Bull Cox for his picnic attendance.
Middle-Right:
Rose and Lorenzo Ringlehan traveled the farthest distance, from Largo, Florida, to attend the picnic.
Bottom:
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brown and Mr. and Mrs. John VanDerVort celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversaries this year.