Name/Title
300 Years of Bull Family History, 145th Annual PicnicEntry/Object ID
000663Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
This newspaper clipping from The Chronicle (dated Friday, August 10, 2012) details a landmark reunion of the Bull family, marking 300 years of family history in Orange County, New York.
Key Highlights of the Article
The Ancestry (1712): The family traces its local history back to Sarah Wells, who arrived in Orange County in 1712 as an young, indentured servant. She traveled from Manhattan into the wilderness on behalf of her master to secure a land claim.
A "Feminist Before Feminism": The article highlights Sarah Wells's bravery, noting she went into the wilderness accompanied only by two carpenters and three Native American guides. She later married William Bull, an expert stonemason, in 1718.
The Bull Stone House (1722): In 1722, William and Sarah built a fine stone house in Campbell Hall (Hamptonburgh), which still stands today thanks to the craftsmanship of William and the preservation efforts of their descendants.
The 300th Anniversary Reunion:
The event marked the 145th annual picnic and reunion for the family.
Descendants of William and Sarah Bull (who originally had 12 children) gathered from August 3 to August 5 at the historic Bull Stone House on County Route 51.
Attendees included Dolores and Eugene Richter of Pennsylvania (the oldest relatives present at ages 91 and 95, respectively) and Roberta McFarland of Seattle, Washington, who displayed a prizewinning quilt during the festivities.