Honor Bull Family Reunion

Senate Resolution No. 1437 BY: Senator BONACIC COMMEMORATING the 150th Annual Bull Family Reunion WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that the heritage of the State of New York has been strengthened by the quality and character of its families and their commitment to the values upon which the State was founded; and WHEREAS, In recognition of these family values, and in accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate the 150th Annual Bull Family Reunion to be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, in the Bull Stone House in Hamptonburgh, New York; and WHEREAS, The Bull Family traces its roots to William Bull and Sarah Wells, who were among the founding families of Orange County, New York, in 1722; William Bull, the son of Peter Bull, immigrated to America in

1715, after learning the trade of stonemasonry in Dublin, Ireland; Sarah Wells was an indentured servant who sailed on a sloop from New York City with enough provisions to establish a home in Otterkill with the promise of 100 acres to be given to her; and WHEREAS, In 1716, William Bull, the builder of Grey Court for Daniel Cromeline, an original owner of the Wawayanda Patent, was granted 100 acres where he built his residence called Hamptonburgh, in honor of his birthplace, in 1722, currently known as The Bull Stone House; and WHEREAS, In addition, William Bull was granted 2,600 additional acres by King George of England in 1723 and an additional 500 acres in

1718, as the first recorded marriage in the Town of Goshen; together, they were the proud parents of 12 children, five sons and seven daughters; and WHEREAS, The Bull Stone House and the only example of a New World Dutch Barn are still standing in Orange County; the house is a living museum that, along with the barn, is listed on the National Register of Historical Places; and WHEREAS, Upon the death of Sarah Wells, a family memorial was written listing her 12 children who bore 98 grandchildren, 212 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren, totaling 335 descendants; and WHEREAS, Today, descendants of William and Sarah and their 12 children still gather in reunion every year since 1868 at the Annual Bull Family Reunion and Picnic; typically, more than 300 family members attend the picnic from all over the United States and Canada; and WHEREAS, The Bull Family maintains the best traditions of those earliest Bulls, whose family bonds promoted their care of each other, and of their neighbors and friends, as is reflected again in this 150th Anniversary family gathering; and WHEREAS, The Bull Family has over the last centuries maintained, honored, and cherished those ideals, principles and basic freedoms so fundamental to our American heritage; and WHEREAS, As the Bull Family joins for a reunion in testament to the bond of family unity, it honors its illustrious past, its proud heritage, and its promising future; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 150th Annual Bull Family Reunion, and extend the best wishes of the people of New York State upon this memorable occasion; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Bull Family.