Name/Title
Historic Sites Build by the Bull FamilyEntry/Object ID
000605Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
This newspaper article from The Times Herald Record (dated July 27, 1982) details the enduring legacy of the Bull family in Orange County, New York, focusing on the historic stone homes and landmarks built by the family and their descendants.
Key Historic Sites Highlighted
Hill-Hold (1769)
The House: A stone house of Georgian design built by Thomas Bull (son of the family founders, William and Sarah Bull) and his wife, Sarah.
Preservation: It remained a continuous family residence for nearly two centuries until the last family member occupying it willed it to Orange County. Today, it is operated as a historic museum showcasing period-appropriate Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, and Empire furniture.
Brick Castle (1780)
The House: Located across the Wallkill River from Hill-Hold, this is the only brick home built by the first generation of Bulls.
The Builder: Built by Thomas's brother, William Bull, a veteran of the Revolutionary War who reportedly served at Valley Forge with George Washington.
The Daniel Bull House (1787)
The House: Built on Robinson Road in the hamlet of Bullville by Daniel Bull, a grandson of William and Sarah.
Legacy: At one point, seven homes on this road were occupied by members of the Bull family.
The Hopewell Presbyterian Church & Samuel Bull Buildings
The Church: Located in Thompson Ridge, it served as a central community institution where many Bull descendants worshipped.
Samuel Bull: A highly active civic leader in Crawford who built several stone buildings, including a prominent stone house on Route 302 in Circleville (built in 1844).
John Springstead Bull House (1856) & Knox Headquarters (1754)
John Springstead Bull House: A handsome three-story stone mansion located near Rock Tavern.
Knox Headquarters: A highly famous historic site in Vails Gate, once used by Revolutionary War generals like Henry Knox and Nathanael Greene.
The Homestead House (1822)
The House: Located in Thompson Ridge, this stone home represents a mix of 18th-century exterior style and 19th-century interior architecture. It was built by William Bull near the end of his life.
The Family Legacy
The article emphasizes that the structural integrity of these stone dwellings reflects the strength and closeness of the Bull family. From the original settlers, William and Sarah Bull (who had 12 children and 98 grandchildren), the family played a major role in settling, defending, and developing the Hudson River Valley.