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Bull Family during American Revolution unknown author or dateEntry/Object ID
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Family of William Bull and Sarah Wells during the Revolution
Burke Boyce in his historical novel, "Perilous Night" depicts life as it was in Orange County during the Revolution, - how individual members of families differed in their opinions as to whether we should try to peacefully negotiate with England to settle our grievances, - or fight.
Hector St. John de Crevecoeur lived at or near Craigville in Orange County, N. Y. before and during the early days of the Revolution. In his writings translated from French he, too, describes the horrible feelings among former friends and relatives, - to a point of general fear, - not being sure of his neighbor, nor of how his own acts would be construed. Eventually the "hot headed" patriots and the "stubborn" Loyalists resorted to firey language, each calling the other names until eventually neither side would give in, - like a revolution in each community.
Was the Bull Family of Orange County a similar picture? Lets take them one by one:
JOHN BULL, the oldest child of William Bull and Sarah Wells lived in the Stone House at Hamptonburgh, N. Y. He signed the General Association in 1775, but was probably more interested in "preserving peace and good order than in rebellion". How about his twelve children?
His sons Ebenezer and Samuel served in the militia. Each was fined once for delinquency, but sentence was suspended. Early writers tell that the soldiers would return home to provide for their families, - plant crops, harvest, etc. Perhaps they remained home too long and were fined for delinquency. Samuel being a blacksmith helped forge the chain to extend across the Hudson River. He was in the 4th Regiment under John Hathorn. Ebenezer was probably in Woodhull's regiment.
Sarah's husband, Richard Earl served under Woodhull.
Peter Earl, Elizabeth Bull's husband signed the General Association but no further records were found. The two Earl families and Ebenezer Bull lived in the present Town of Woodbury.
Mary Bull married John Tuthill of Hamptonburgh who served with Mc Claghry and also with Woodhull.
William, son of John fought with the British throughout the war, - was at the Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775, then aged 19 years. His father John Bull was fined 15 pounds because of his "tory" son, William. He was taken to Canada by the British and given land in what is now New Brunswick.
John's son, John, - Records are confusing due to several John Bull's. He was born 1760. A John Bull was confined to Goshen jail 1778-79, whether it was father or son is disputable.
William Ter Boss (or Bush) who married Esther Bull, being very young he first served as a substitute and later under Col. Fred Wessenfel's Regiment. The Bush's located at Florida, N. Y.
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The four younger sons of John may not have been needed by the time they were old enough to serve.
WILLIAM BULL, son of William and Sarah, died before the Revolution.
His son William III of Stony Ford enlisted in 1777, was second lieutenant in Spencer’s Continental Regiment; captain in 1779. He was encamped at Valley Forge. He it is said to have been at the Battle of Monmouth that he received the Commission of Captain from Lord Sterling who was an American sympathizer.
Moses, son of William II, served in the Second Ulster Regiment.
Mary’s husband, George Wilkin was taken prisoner at Fort Montgomery and died at the Sugar House Prison in New York City.
Charles served in the Ulster Co. Militia. The towns of Wallkill and Crawford were then part of Ulster County.
SARAH, daughter of William and Sarah Wells Bull married George Booth. He served in Col. Mc Claghry’s Regiment.
Their son William was supervisor of the Manor of St. George at Brookhaven, L. I. The English believed William to be a British sympathizer, but the Colonists asked him for an outline of the Fort. He furnished a map to help and accompanied the soldiers to within 30 or 40 yards of the fort. The Bull Family has copies given by two different officers telling of William Booth’s aid in their capturing the fort.
Rhoda Booth married Joshua Wells who served in the 3rd regiment of Orange County militia.
Dolly Booth married Hugh Lindsay who was taken prisoner at Fort Montgomery. They later lived at Ward’s Bridge, Montgomery.
Sarah Booth married Jason Wilkin who served with Col. Hardenburgh’s 4th Regiment, Ulster Co. He was promoted to Captain. Lived in Town of Crawford.
THOMAS, son of William and Sarah, was accused of helping the British and served time in Goshen jail. Their sons:
Absalom favored the British cause. Neighbors said he was a Tory agent, offering 200 acres of frontier land after the war, if entering the King’s service.
George fought with the British army and went to Canada following the war. His father paid a fine for his "tory" son George.
Daniel served in the 4th Regiment of Ulster Co. militia.
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ISAAC, son of William and Sarah (Wells) Bull lived across Purgatory Swamp from the Bull Stone House. He with his sons Peter and John served in the 1st Orange County Regiment under Woodhull, along with Gideon Coleman who married Catherine Bull, daughter of Isaac.
Rachel, his other daughter, married Silas Pierson, Jr. He formed a company of Light Horse that served with the 1st Regiment Orange County Militia. He was a Captain.
ESTHER married John Miller who died before the Revolution. Their son:
Johannes Miller, b 1760, served as an orderly sergent under his brother-in-law, Capt. Hendrick Van Keuren, 2nd Regiment, Ulster County.
Margaret Miller’s husband, Capt. Henry Van Keuren was 1st Lieut. under Capt. William Jackson of Hanover precinct, Ulster Co (now Montgomery). He soon was Captain in 2nd Regiment, Orange Co. Militia.
Report of an Indian Raid during the Revolution, one raider apparently saw Margaret’s white cap through the shuttered window and shot at her. She raised a rifle and shot. The next morning a trail of blood led from the house and it was learned an Indian (chief?) had been killed.
Jemima Miller married (2) Stephen Goldsmith. A soldier of that name was in the second regiment, Ulster Co.
MARY, daughter of William and Sarah, married Benjamin Booth who was a tory and fled to New York where he died about 1783 or 84. His wife, Mary was a Colonist sympathizer and is said to have fed troops picketed near by, when her husband was not home, but she kept the silver hid in the well. Their children:
Joshua Booth served in the 4th reg. Orange Co. Militia.
Thomas Booth was in the 2nd Regiment of Ulster Co.
MARGARET Bull daughter of William, married Silas Horton who served in Mc Claghry’s 2nd Regiment, Ulster Co. Was a Captain and helped defend the forts along the Hudson River. Their daughter:
Sarah Horton married Capt. David Hawkins who served in Suffolk Co. After the Battle of Long Island they ferried across to Connecticut. He saw much action; sailed up the Hudson and fought in the Battle of Saratoga and was wounded in his leg which lamed him for life, so he hired a substitute. Despite his lameness, after the war when the Orange County militia reorganized he was appointed Captain of a company of light infantry.
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BULL FAMILY IN THE REVOLUTION
CATHERINE BULL, daughter of William Bull and Sarah Wells, married James Faulkner who was in the second regiment of Ulster County, was first lieutenant and served through the war.
Also his brother, Joseph Faulkner saw considerable service. He was the father of Priscilla who married the son of Catherine and James Faulkner.
William B. Faulkner served in the second regiment of Ulster Co., with his father and uncle.
ANN BULL, daughter of William Bull, married William Eager. Before the war he injured the cords of his foot and had to use a cane, so was not in the war, but visited the troops at the forts, taking things for their comfort such as bread, straw, etc.
Their daughter Sarah Eager married Capt. James Mc Bride who was commanding captain of a company of 2nd regiment, Ulster County militia. Was at the Highland forts.
RICHARD, youngest son of William Bull and Sarah Wells, served in the British army and was taken to Canada on the same ship with his nephews George and William and about 3000 others who remained loyal to the mother country. All located in the present New Brunswick, arriving March 18, 1783. He died that fall.
ELEANOR BULL, the youngest child of William Bull and Sarah Wells married Wilhelmus (William) Weller who was in the 4th Orange County militia, Hathorn commanding. He died 1777. Their children were too young to serve.Relationships
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