Name/Title
300th Anniversary of Sarah WellsEntry/Object ID
000658Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
Sarah Wells Day: 300th Anniversary of Sarah Wells' Arrival
The article details a community celebration marking the 300th anniversary of Sarah Wells’ arrival in the Hudson Valley, which took place on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York.
The Story of Sarah Wells & William Bull
The Arrival (1712): At just 18 years old, Sarah Wells, an orphaned indentured servant girl, was sent to settle property on the Wawayanda Patent for Christopher and Elizabeth Denn. Because Denn was unable to travel, he arranged for Indian guides and carpenters to accompany Sarah up the Hudson River and inland to Hamptonburgh. Her hard work and friendly demeanor allowed her to survive the wilderness, and she was soon joined by the Denns.
Meeting William Bull (1715): William Bull arrived in New York from Ireland in 1715, where he had learned the stonemasonry trade. He was hired by Daniel Cromline to help build his home, Greycourt House, near Craigville, New York.
Marriage and Legacy: Sarah and William met in the early colonial settlement and were married in 1718. In 1722, they began building their colonial fieldstone home—the Bull Stone House—where they successfully raised 12 children. At the time of Sarah's death in 1796, there were 335 descendants of Sarah and William Bull. Today, there are more than 65,000 names in the Bull family genealogy.
Legacy and Landmarks
Physical Connections: The Bull family legacy is deeply rooted in Orange County, visible through historic structures like the 1722 Bull Stone House, the New World Dutch Barn, and street names like Sarah Wells Trail (a main road connecting Goshen to Washingtonville) and Bull Road.
The Celebration Events
The family reunion and public festival held on May 19 included:
Guided tours of the historic Bull Stone House and the New World Dutch Barn.
Family-friendly activities such as craft demonstrations, horse and cart rides, a bounce house, live music, and refreshments.
The Sarah Wells Pie Baking Contest, a historic baking competition held at the Bull Stone House.