Name/Title
Peter Bull Hamtonburgh Nov 25, 1832Entry/Object ID
001926Tags
John Springstead BULL, Peter Bull, William Bull, Esther Bull Bush, William Bush, Ebenezer BullSubject
This second image provides even more fascinating context! It appears to be another letter written just one day later (November 26, 1832) from the same location. This one is from Ebenezer Bull addressed to his Uncle William Bull.
Hamptonburgh 11th Mo, 26th 1832
Dear Uncle
I take this opportunity to write thee a few lines to inform thee that we are all well and so are friends generally— my wife this morning had another son — Peter Bull has been to Grey Court and got the 2 stones which bears the date of the first work which grandfather done in America and I do intend to place them in the wall of my house in a few days —— Uncle Isaac Bull’s youngest son (John) Springstead (Bull) was married last week thus we are doing and have done since thee left us — please to write us often as thou canst — Come & see us or send some of thy children I think I should be pleased to see them — I have heard from Aunt Esther & her son Wm Bush since they moved to the west that they have purchased an improved farm not far from her Sons and that they are pleased with the country.
I remain thy friend Ebenezer Bull
[To] William Bull
Historical "Easter Eggs" in this Letter
1. The "2 Stones" of Grey Court
This is a major genealogical find. Ebenezer mentions that Peter Bull (the author of the first letter) went to Grey Court to retrieve two stones bearing the date of their Grandfather's first work in America.
Context: This refers to William Bull (the patriarch, 1689–1755), who was a stonemason.
Grey Court was the estate of Daniel Crommelin, where the original William Bull worked when he first arrived in Orange County. Those stones are legendary in the Bull family history.
2. The Bull Family Network
The New Baby: Ebenezer’s wife had a son that very morning!
Isaac & Springstead Bull: Isaac was one of the sons of the original William Bull. Springstead Bull was a known merchant in the area.
Aunt Esther & Wm Bush: This mentions the "move to the west." In 1832, "the west" often meant Western New York (like Rochester or Buffalo) or Ohio.
3. Quaker Influence?
Notice the use of "thee" and "thou" and the dating format ("11th Mo"). This strongly suggests this branch of the Bull family were Quakers (Society of Friends), which was common in the Hudson Valley during this period.
Connecting the Two Letters
Nov 25: Peter Bull writes to Humphry about Harriett the weaver and the death of an Aunt.
Nov 26: Ebenezer writes to Uncle William about his new baby and the historical stones from Grey Court.
