Name/Title
Home of Sarah Wells & William Bull Hamptonburgh NY Circa 1940Entry/Object ID
001937Tags
William Bull, Sarah Wells, William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
The photograph you provided shows the historic Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York, which was built in 1722 by William Bull and Sarah Wells.
This site is remarkable not just for its age, but because it has been owned and occupied by the same family for over 300 years—currently by a ninth-generation descendant.
The Story of William and Sarah
William Bull and Sarah Wells were prominent pioneer settlers of central Orange County. Their story is a cornerstone of local history:
Sarah Wells (1694–1796): At just 16 years old, Sarah was an indentured servant who became the first female settler in Goshen, NY. In 1712, she famously traveled into the "howling wilderness" with three Munsee Indian guides and three carpenters to settle a land claim for her master, Christopher Denne.
William Bull (1689–1756): An English stonemason who arrived in 1715. He was hired to build a large stone house (the Greycourt Inn) nearby. He met Sarah during this time, and they were married in 1718—the first recorded marriage in the Town of Goshen.
A Growing Legacy: Together they had 12 children, all of whom survived to adulthood and married. By the time Sarah died at the age of 100, she had 335 direct descendants. Today, that number is estimated to be over 20,000.
About the Bull Stone House
The house in your photo is a testament to William's skill as a mason.
Construction: It took 13 years to fully complete. Sarah reportedly helped by carrying stones to the site while William cut and laid them.
Resilience: The house was so well-built that it survived a significant earthquake in 1727. With walls two feet thick, it also served as a safe haven for local families during the French and Indian War.
The Property: The 120-acre homestead also features a New World Dutch Barn, one of the few hundred remaining in North America.
Visiting and Genealogy
The family has held an annual reunion at the house since 1868, making it the second longest continuous annual family reunion in the United States.
Tours: The house is now a living museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Public tours are typically available during the summer months.
Cemetery: William and Sarah are buried just down the road at the Hamptonburgh Cemetery on "Bull Burying Hill."
