Some links on Bull Family History

http://www.bullstonehouse.org/

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9801E3D91338E033A25757C1A96F9C94659FD7CF

The Bull Family is famous in America. William Bull and Sarah Wells were the first white couple to be married in Orange County, New York. They were true pioneers and their Stone House is a National Historic Site and Family Gathering Place. Their son Richars came to Upham, Kings County as a Loyalist and his descendant, Charity Elizabeth Smith maried James Harvey Lackie, my(Darlene lawton's) great-grandfather. Through the Bulls we are related to many Loyalist families in Kings County...the Smiths, the Sherwoods, the Fords, the Beyeas, and many others.

William Bull was born at Wolverhampton, England, February, 1689. When he was young, his father left England and located at Dublin, Ireland, where he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a mason and stone cutter. During his minority we know nothing of him. When his apprenticeship ended, he with a young friend and fellow mason, contracted to build the arch of a large bridge, which was then in progress of erection in the vicinity of the city, and had they succeeded, it might have established their credit as good workmen and talented young men; but just as they were closing the arch and finishing the job, down it tumbled, and with it, the young and bright prospects of the venturesome builders.

Bull was overwhelmed by the unexpected calamity, and feeling that future success there was hopeless, he at once determined to emigrate and build his fortune in America, which he had failed thus far to do in Ireland. He mustered and counted up his money, which amounted to five Guineas, went down to the dock, and on board a passenger ship bound soon for New York, and inquired of the officer on board and inquired of the officer on board,
if five Guineas was sufficient to pay his passage. The reply was in the affirmative, and he forthwith completed his arrangements to leave. When the time came, he embarked, having nothing to encumber him but his clothes, five Guineas and a few books. When the ship arrived in port, Bull presented himself to the captain to pay his five Guineas and go ashore; but was told that it was not enough, and being informed it was all he had, replied that he must then be sold for the balance. Bull was very much incensed at the trick put on him by false information in Ireland, and at the indignity so coolly about to be inflicted upon him here, promptly told the officer that he would not be sold, that he would abide by the ship and return to Ireland, and that if he had to be a servant it should be there and not in a strange land. Misfortune had compelled him to leave his country, and now when about to realize his cherished hopes and anxious expectations, it was threatening to drive him back again, and he was in great doubt what course to adopt. But in this case his necessity was God's opportunity, who having mercifully held the winds in his hand during the voyage, now kindly interposed and sent unexpected relief in the person of a stranger.

Just at this time Daniel Cromline, who had an interest in the Wawayanda Patent, and was about to make a settlement thereon, finding an Irish passenger ship in port and thinking that he might procure some laborers and artisans there, went on board and made his wants known to the captain. Proclamation was made throughout the ship, that there was a gentleman on board who wanted to employ some workmen and mechanics to settle a new country, and if there were any on board who were willing to engage, to come forward. The proclamation fell upon Bull like a message from heaven, and he felt that he was at least cared for by God and strangers, and his heart was instantly filled with gratitude and hopes revived. He spoke and said that he was an artisan and laborer and had left Ireland for America thinking he had money to pay his passage, but that falling short and for the deficiency was about to be sold, which he had refused to be, he thought of returning, but if any gentleman would advance the money, he would undertake, should his health and life to spared, he should have no cause to regret the kindness. Cromline, pleased with his appearance, prompt and manly bearing, advanced the money and they left the ship together.

Bull, in company with other workmen, soon went with Cromline upon the patent, to prepare to erect a dwelling and make a settlement. Bull executed the mason and others did the carpenter work, and he cut the year of erection, 1716, in the stones of the chimney. The boards of the house were sawed by a whip in a sawpit, and the whole wood work fastened by wood pins in place of nails. This at the time, and for years afterwards, was the largest and best house from New Windsor to New Jersey. This house was known as the old Graycourt house and was about five miles southeast from the log mansion of Christopher Denn, in Hamptonburgh. The structure stood for over 116 years--longer than any other except the Bull stone house at Hamptonburgh. The population was very sparse in that part of the county and all living within a dozen miles of each other were near neighbors and kept up an intimate and friendly intercourse. As Christopher Denn was a patentee and Daniel Cromline interested in the patent, both having made settlements and living within six miles of each other, it was natural and expected that these families would often meet on the most friendly terms.

Thus William Bull, who continued to live at the Cromline house, became acquainted with Sarah Wells, which ripened into love and eventuated in matrimony in the year 1718. Sarah Wells was an orphan maid who was adopted by the childless couple, Mr. and Madam Denn. Though light and fragile, Sarah was active and capable of remarkable exercise and endurance. This, in part, may have resulted from the fact, that while young she had been in the habit of crossing the ferry in an open boat from Staten Island to New York, attending to the market business of her patrons. This exposure, while it imparted health by the exercise, not only hardened and compacted a constitution otherwise delicate, but deepened the color of her sanguine complexion. Her eyes were neither large nor prominent, but dark, playful and sparkling. Though not a flippant talker, she was free and conversable; and when excited to reply to some rude remark or impertinent inquiry, her eyes would flash like fire, and the presumptuous intruder was sure to be wounded in the conflict. and carry the scar home with him for reflection.

Christopher Denn, to develop his patent on land, sent sixteen year old Sarah along with some Indians whom he considered somewhat trustworthy to the area "to settle a patent of unknown wilderness twenty miles square, infested by serpents, tenanted by savages of unknown fidelity, and roamed over by beasts of prey, by the instrumentality and personal daring of this little girl." Sarah was to superintend and conduct the household affairs till he and Madam Denn should go. That accommodations should be ready for their arrival, he intended to send up at the same time some carpenters to put up a temporary wigwam, to serve them, till they could erect a more durable log cabin. The white men would be a guard for Sarah, ensure her safety and greatly relieve her from the very imprudent and hazardous condition in which he was about to place her. Sarah completed her tasks competently and took care of all necessary business until the arrival of the Denns.

For a more complete account of her experiences, see "Account of William Bull and Sarah Wells" reprinted from the History of Orange County by Samuel W. Eager, Esq., available at the Bull Stone House, Hamptonburgh, New York. Contact: William Bull and Sarah Wells; Stone House Association, Inc.; 183 County Route 51, Campbell Hall, NY 10916-2924.

Christopher Denn had promised Sarah 100 acres of land for commencing the settlement of the patent, and Sarah, upon impending marriage to William Bull, now requested a fulfillment of the promise. Denn advised her not to be in a hurry to marry a young Irishman who might play her some trick, and finally leave her. At this she became offended and she replied that Bull was born in England , and though brought up in Ireland, she did not know that that made him an Irishman; and that he was as good an Englishman as Denn himself. They secured this land and William also secured an additional 100 acres that he could call his own.

When he erected is log cabin in 1719 or 20 he called the place Hamptonburgh in honor of Wolverhampton, the place of his birth. William Bull died February, 1755, aged 66. Sarah Wells, his wife, was born April 6, 1694 and died April 21, 1796, aged 102 years and 15 days. They were buried in the family yard at Hamptonburgh, in the grounds he gave for the purpose, and known as "Burying Hill." A large quantity of the land owned by this early settler is still in the possession of
his descendants.


Nestled in the rolling, green hills of Orange County, New York, stands the Bull Stone House. The house is a living museum that has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1722 by William Bull and Sarah Wells who were among the first settlers in Orange County.

On the grounds is also the only example of a New World Dutch barn still standing in Orange County. It was built at approximately the same time as the house and was last restored in 1985.

William Bull and Sarah Wells were married in 1718. Bull was an English stonemason and immigrated to New York in 1715. Descendants of William and Sarah and their twelve children still gather in reunion every year since 1868 at Bull Picnic. Typically, more than 300 family members attend the picnic.




Children of William Bull and Sarah Wells--when born--to whom
married--and the number of children and grandchildren at the
time of her death in 1796.

Name Born Married GC GGC GGGC John May 3, 1721 Miss Holly, Goshen, NY 12 61 4

William Mar 13, 1723 Miss Booth, Hamptonburgh 6 15 -
Sarah Sep 1, 1725 Charles Booth " " 8 23 3
Thomas Dec 27, 1727 Miss Kerr, of Florida 12 22 -
Isaac Nov 17, 1729 Miss Muliner, L. Britain 6 21 -
Esther May 29, 1731 John Miller, Montgomery 8 18 6
Mary Feb 3, 1733 Benj. Booth, Hamptonburgh 10 17 -
Margaret May 1, 1736 Mr. Horton, Goshen 7 7 -
Catherine May 24, 1738 James Faulkner, Walkill 7 2 -
Ann Nov 4, 1740 William Eager, Neeleytown 10 17 -
Richard May 29, Miss Budd, E. Division 5 6 -
Elinor Mar 4, 1745 Heenry Weller, Montgomery 7 3 -
TOTALS 98 212 13
Total number of descendants........................................................335

Note...Son Richard was our Loyalist Ancestor. I will add his family tree.


Bull Stone House New World Dutch barn, Hamptonburgh, NY
, possibly the only surviving one in the New World.
Page Links Reorganized

To William and Sarah(Wells) Bull
Our kindred, 'tis of theeFair maid of destiny.
Of thee we sing.
"Twas Sarah Wells by name,
Who to Orange County came,
Ne'er dreaming her future name
Abroad should ring. Dense thro' these woods and drear
She faltered not through fear,
Did well her part.
How nature wrought her spell,
Lies not with us to tell,
On the resultant facts we dwell,
Of Cupid's art. She married William Bull,
Whose heart and head were full,
Of life's great plan.
Strong, sturdy, staunch was he,
Skilled hand in masonry,
Proud of his ancestry.
Old English clan. They laboured, loved and gained,
A homestead, still retained,
With sacred thought,
See, there the structure stands,
Built by their hands,
Stones from the surrounding lands
In her apron brought. Now may we emulate,
Each worthy deed and trait,
When duty calls,
So that our progeny,
Of us as proud may be,
When they are relating history,
Ere life's curtain falls.