Name/Title
The Bull Family Annual ReunionEntry/Object ID
000620Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
The Bull Family Reunion
The article details the massive, historic reunion of the descendants of William and Sarah Wells Bull, a prominent family with deep roots in Orange County, New York.
History and Tradition
Origins: The annual reunion tradition began after a gathering at the burial site of William and Sarah Wells Bull. The following year (1869), a photographer was brought in to record the event, establishing a long-standing tradition where official photos are now taken every five years.
The Homestead: The permanent site for the reunion is the historic Stone House (purchased by the Bull family corporation in the early 1920s). The 267-year-old, three-bedroom house is where William and Sarah originally lived and raised their 12 children. It represents 10 generations of a single family living in America.
The Event Details
The Gathering: Held at the home of the Browns (who live in the historic Stone House), the reunion is a massive undertaking. Guests bring their own picnic lunches, while the family organizes live entertainment (like the Ramapo Fault String Band), games, horseback riding, and a video tour of the historic home.
Awards: The reunion features unique "door prizes" and awards for achievements such as the oldest descendant present, the family traveling the furthest distance, and the longest-married couple.
A Global Network: The family's mailing list includes 4,000 families (totaling roughly 20,000 known descendants worldwide). About 700 descendants live in Canada, tracing their lineage back to family members who fled north during the Revolutionary War due to their opposition to breaking ties with England.
Behind the Scenes
Preparations: Organizing the event begins months in advance (starting in June) and involves massive mailings, which cost around $1,000 for the non-profit family corporation.
Genealogy: Mailings include a form for descendants to update their family trees. This data is handled by a family genealogist; one book of the family genealogy has already been published, with a second volume in progress.
The Heirloom Quilt: A family quilt featuring over 300 blocks—each containing the signature of a Bull descendant—is proudly displayed at the event.