Name/Title
89th Annual Bull Family Reunion The Newburgh News Aug. 30, 1956Entry/Object ID
002041Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
This newspaper clipping details the 89th Annual Bull Family Reunion, a gathering of approximately 400 descendants of William Bull and Sarah Wells. The event took place at the historic Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York.
Event Highlights
Historical Significance: The reunion honors William Bull and Sarah Wells, some of Orange County’s first settlers. Their Stone House, built in 1722 with the help of local Native Americans, served as the backdrop for the event.
Attendance: Descendants traveled from 10 states, including California and Texas. John Archer Howell of Denver, Colorado, won a ribbon for traveling the longest distance.
Generational Range: * Oldest Attendee: Mrs. Elizabeth Miller Mills (88 years old).
Youngest Attendee: Daniel Thomas Brown (5 months old).
Business Meeting & Elections
The association, which was incorporated in 1920, held a business meeting to address administrative changes and elect new leadership:
Scheduling Change: Members voted to move the annual reunion from the last Wednesday in August to the last Saturday in August to make it easier for descendants to attend.
New Appointments: Charles W. Johnson Jr. was elected vice president to fill the term of Hamlet Roe, who was tragically killed by a car in front of his home a few months prior.
Other Officers: Robert McLeod Jackson (Secretary) and Henry P. Bull (Treasurer) were re-elected.
Property & Genealogy Updates
Home Improvements: Updates were shared regarding the Stone House, including new linen draperies and a completed extension and repair of the garage.
Family Records: Miss Dolly W. Booth, the family genealogist, reported that work is ongoing to create a correct list of all Bull family descendants and requested assistance from the members.
Tradition: The food was noted for being high-quality, with a tradition of family members bringing recipes passed down from their grandmothers rather than standard picnic fare like hot dogs.
