The Bull Family

CAPT. THOMAS BULL, born in England, in 1610. On September 11, 1635, he sailed for America on the ship Hopewell landing at Boston, and going from there to Cambridge. In June, 1636, he went with the Rev. Thomas Hooker into the wilderness to establish the settlement of Hartford. The following year Thomas Bull joined a company of volunteers organized to defend the Connecticut settlements against the attacks of the Pequot Indians. Thomas was second in command under Captain John Mason, and was cited for conspicuous bravery. In July, 1675, he led the military forces that resisted the demand of the Duke of York for the surrender of Saybrook and other important posts in New England. The inflexible firmness of Cap­tain Bull and Gershom Bulkeley caused the British Fleet to abandon its blockade at the mouth of the Connecticut river. Thomas was married to Susanna (surname unknown) who died in 1680, at the age of 70. She was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Central Congregational Church at Hart­ford. Thomas was buried at Hartford. A tombstone marks his grave and also records some of his historic deeds. It reads as follows:

“Here lyeth the body of Captain Thomas Bull, who died in October, 1684. He was one of the first settlers in Hartford; a Lieutenant in the great and decisive battle with the Pequots, at Mystic, May 26, 1637; and Commander of the Fort at Saybrook, in July, 1675, when its surrender was demanded by Major Andress.” Captain Thomas Bull and Susanna had eight children, the sixth of whom was Joseph.

JOSEPH BULL, a mariner, of Hartford. On April 11, 1671, he married Sarah Manning, of Cambridge. She was the daughter of William and Dorothy Manning. Sarah was born at Cambridge, January 28, 1646. Joseph died at Hartford in 1712. They had four children, the third of whom was Daniel Bull.

DANIEL BULL, married Mary Mygatt.   They had three children, the eldest of whom was Mary, who married George Grinnell in 1725. The Bull family thus merges into the Grinnell family.