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
1724, where his son Thomas built Hill-Hold in 1769, now an Orange County
museum; and

WHEREAS, William Bull and Sarah Wells were married on August 25,
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.