WILLIAM BULLOCK OF GUILFORD, VERMONT

William Bullock was born 26 March 1743 in Rehoboth, Mass., the fourth son of Col. William and Susannah (Kent) Bullock. (RVR). He died 19 August 1785, age 42, at Guilford, Vermont and is buried in Blanchard Cemetery there. (VT VR).

He was married at Petersham, Worcester County, Mass. on 29 September 1769 to Miriam Whitney (Petersham Marriages). She was born 31 July 1751 at Marlborough, Middlesex Co. Mass. to Solomon and Elizabeth (Smith) Whitney. (Pierce, F. C., Whitney Genealogy,). William Bullock was living in Guilford, Vermont at the time of their marriage. It is unknown how or where they met, but since Miriam's brother, Job Whitney, lived in Guilford and the couple probably met through him.

After William's death in 1785, Miriam married again, probably twice. Vermont Vital Records show a marriage between Capt. Isaac Orr of Halifax and widow, Mariam Stewart of Guilford on 8 June 1815, however no marriage can be found to a Mr. Stewart. Miriam died 29 January 1825 at age 74 and is buried as Miriam Orr in Blanchard Cemetery, Guilford, Vt., the same cemetery as William, but in another section about 10 feet from his grave (Cemetery visited in 1988).

Col. William Bullock was quite affluent and he apparently gave his sons money to start their careers. William and his brother, Lovell, left Rehoboth as young men for Guilford, Vt. The History of Guilford states that the two brothers lived together for seven years until William married and purchased the interest of his brother. This would place their arrival at Guilford about 1762 very early in the town's history. In 1769, James King deeded 1 � acres for a grist mill site to William. This was the first mill of any kind built in Guilford. A sawmill was built near the grist mill. In 1770, William deeded � interest in the property to his brother, Lovell.

As an owner of a grist mill and a sawmill, William Jr. was a prosperous and respected member of the community. He was called "Esquire" and was chosen for many responsible duties. On 29 June 1775, he was chosen as Lieutenant in the 1st. Company of the Guilford Militia. In 1776 he was a Guilford member of the Committee of Correspondence formed so that the county would be kept well informed about the actions of the different colonies in their struggle for liberty (Official History of Guilford) ). William Bullock was at one time credited with service in the Revolutionary War at Valley Forge and White Plains. His record is listed as residence Guilford, Vt. , but enlisted for the town of Hadley Mass. in June 1777, serving in Col. Wiggleworth's Regiment with an enlistment of 3 years . (Mass. Soldiers and Sailors). This record is nearly identical to the Revolutionary War service of William Bullock (1760-1837), son of Hezekiah Bullock, whose widow, Margaret (Ferry) applied for a pension in 1844 (Rev. War Pension Files, M804-0403). It is quite likely that these two William Bullocks have been confused. Later DAR records credit this William Bullock with Revolutionary War service in Guilford.

After the war there was controversy between the people of Vermont and the State of New York over who controlled the area. Most of the people of Guilford were in favor of New York State control, and in January 1781 voted to stand in opposition to the "pretended" state of Vermont. William Bullock was strongly in favor of a state of Vermont. He was one of only 18 men out of a population of about 2000 to vote to raise the quota of troops ordered by the Assembly of Vermont. This issue plagued the town for several years.

William Bullock was active in town affairs during the period after the war. He was a Guilford Representative to the General Assembly in 1781. He was chosen moderator for town meetings in 1783 and 1784 and in 1785 he was on a committee to look into the town debts. On 10 June 1785, just two months before his death his name was signed on a petition for a shire town to be established in the center of Windham County. The petition was signed by representatives of the subscribers in the General Assembly of Vermont, convened at Norwich. (State Papers of VT).

William died at age 42. Nothing has been found to determine the cause of his early death. His five year old son, Thaddeus, died three days later and possibly the same illness caused both of their deaths. He left his widow, Miriam, with eight children whose ages ranged from 3 months to 15 years.

In 1987, the cemetery on a hillside was well kept and his grave was marked by tombstone with a moon faced angel and a Sons of the Revolution flag. He is buried between his children, Thaddeus and Miriam.

There was no will left by William Bullock but his inventory reveals much information about his life. His real estate consisted of 119 acres of land in Guilford with buildings with a value of 265 Pounds and 150 acres of land in Brattleboro valued at 195 Pounds. His livestock included 6 oxen, 3 horses, about 25 head of cattle, 20 sheep and a bull. Farm utensils included a sleigh, ploughs, scythes, saddles & saddle bags, a cart, sheep shears, a weaver's loom and other farm tools. His brother, Lovell was named guardian of Jesse and Elizabeth, the two youngest children.

He owned a quite fine wardrobe. He had a beaver hat, boots, kneebuckles, sleeve buttons, silver shoe buckles and a stock silver buckle. He also owned a small Bible and a dictionary. The inventory included 1 gin case with 4 bottles and 5 quarts Barons. The home furnishings were more than adequate for the times. The family had both earthenware and pewter dishes and owned china teacups and saucers. They owned two spinning wheels. At the time of his death there was 50 bushels of wheat, 14 bushels of rye, and 35 tons of hay in the barn. The estate was valued at 1,123 Pounds, 6 Shillings. The estate passed to the oldest son, William. (Marlborough District Probate).

Children of William and Miriam (Whitney) Bullock: All born, Guilford, VT

1. William Bullock Jr., b. 22 Oct 1770. Marr. Aug 1788, Artemesia Wellman. Died 1828 at Stanstead, Quebec, Canada.

2. Susannah Bullock , b. 8 Feb 1772. Marr. 1 Jan 1788, Calvin Harris at Brattleboro, VT. Died 19 Aug 1821 at Newburgh OH.

3. Miriam Bullock, b. 14 March 1774. Died 24 July 1790. Buried in Blanchard Cemetery, Guilford, Vermiont.

4. Sarah Bullock, , b. 1 Dec 1775. Marr. 14 April 1791, James Greenleaf and settled at Derby Vt.

5. Lovina Bullock, b. 24 Dec 1777. Marr. 3 Nov 1796, John B. Whitney. Died 8 April 1832 in Abbotsford, Quebec.

6. Thaddeus Bullock, b. 15 Feb 1780. Died 22 Aug 1785. Buried in Blanchard Cemetery.

7. Samuel Bullock, b. 16 Nov 1781. Marr. 25 Dec 1803, Polly Harris. Died 16 May 1832 at Abbotsford, Quebec, Canada.

8. Jesse Bullock, b. 1 Dec 1783. Marr. 8 Jan 1804, Azubah Hopkins at Brattleboro. Died 26 May 1860 at Angelica, Allegany County, NY.

9. Elizabeth Bullock, b. 1 May 1785. Marr.18 Jan 1804, Amos Brown.

*Taken from Descendants of Col. William Bullock of Rehoboth, Mass., Virginia G. Deagan, 1997, Ginny Deagan