Name/Title
121st Bull Family Annual PicnicEntry/Object ID
000618Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
Article 1: "121st Bull Family Reunion"
Source: Orange County Post (Tuesday, September 6, 1988)
Event Overview: On August 20, 1988, about 400 descendants gathered at the historic Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York, for their 131st Annual Bull Picnic. Attendees came from 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
Key Highlights & Activities:
Antique Machinery: Bob Otto of Newburgh demonstrated three antique "hit and miss" gas engines from the 1900–WWII era, using them to shell corn, grind it into corn meal, and pump water.
The Signature Quilt: A "Bull Family Signature Quilt" featuring 401 names was on display. It was quilted in the 1718 Dutch Barn on the property and will remain on permanent display at the Stone House.
Awards & Recognition: Awards were given to the eldest attendee (Elbert Matc), youngest (Leslie Earl), and those traveling the farthest (Craig and Allie Bull from Livermore, California).
Entertainment: Melanie Brown led games for children ages 4–13, and the Hampuun Fault string band provided musical entertainment.
Article 2: "300 Bull Family Descendants Hold Hamptonburgh Picnic"
Source: The Newburgh News (Thursday, September 1, 1938)
Event Overview: More than 300 descendants gathered on a Wednesday at the ancestral Stone House for their annual picnic, representing Orange County's first and largest family. Two attendees even flew in from Fulton, California, landing at Newark Airport to attend.
Business Meeting & Elections: Following a noon picnic lunch, the association held its annual meeting. Officers re-elected included President Mrs. Amy Bull Crist, Vice-President Hamlet S. Roe, Secretary Robert McLeod Jackson, and Treasurer Ernest M. Bull.
Family Scope: It was noted during the meeting that there were more than 1,500 members of the association. At this specific gathering, the oldest person present was Mrs. King David Bull of Monroe (88), and the youngest was Alfred Booth (two months old).
Historical Note: The secretary shared a letter revealing that descendants of Thomas Bull (a son of William) had started a separate Bull Association in England, holding their first meeting on August 17 in Presque Isle.