IDLE THOUGHTS

Thanksgiving ... Black Friday ... Cyber Monday ... Holiday Season ... we're in what is possibly the busiest time of year for so many of us.  And sometimes it makes us volunteers want to just crawl into a corner of the Bullis Room, take one of the many good books off the shelf, open it, breathe a sigh of relief, and relax as we slowly turn the pages and take in the words and illustrations found there.

We did just that last week and found what we think is the perfect book to read while the rest of the world buzzes around us:

The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow: A Book for an Idle Holiday

This book was written by Jerome Klapk Jerome (1859-1927) and published in 1890 by Henry C. Holt & Company, New York.  The Goodreads website refers to Jerome as; "English author, known for his humorous essays." 

Humor! Isn't that what we need more of? Especially this time of year? So, when holiday hubbub has stressed you to (or near) the max, we're suggesting that you drop by the Bullis Room and take a look at this book. In case we still haven't convinced you this is a "must read," here's an excerpt from the introduction:

"One or two friends I showed these papers in MS. Having observed that they were not half bad, and some of my relations having promised to buy the book, if it ever it came out, I feel I can no longer delay its issue. But for this, as one may say, public demand, I, perhaps, should not have returned to offer these mere 'idle thoughts' of mine as mental food for the English-speaking peoples of the earth.  What readers ask nowadays in a book is that it should improve, instruct, and elevate. This book wouldn't elevate a cow. I cannot conscientiously recommend it for any useful purpose whatever. All I can suggest is, that when you get tired of reading 'the best hundred books,' you may take this up for half an hour. It will be a change."

Chapter headings include: "On Being Idle"; "On Being in Love"; "On Cats and Dogs"; "On the Weather"' "On Being Shy"; "On Babies"; "On Eating and Drinking".

And now it's time to wish you a happy (and idle) Holiday Season, from the Bullis Room staff and volunteers. 

(Oh ... one more thing - if you'd like your own copy of Jerome's book (or want to purchase it as a holiday gift for a friend or relative), you'll find it on your favorite online bookseller site -- both paper and E-reader versions.)

November 11 is Veteran's Day

As the early forefathers of our country studied the different ways of governing, they were taken with the Seneca ways.  Their democratic ways served as inspiration for our constitution.  Our constitution is defended by brave men and women who respond to the call of military service.  Our freedom does have a cost.  Since the Revolutionary war, approximately 656,000 military personnel have died in battle.  There have been 1,478,000 non-mortal wounds in that time period.  And this statistic does not include the effects on families, on service members adjusting to domestic life, the lack of medical services sometimes, etc.  Freedom is not free!  And we thank those who have given of their lives to defend the U.S. Constitution.

The Bullis family collected many books on military service.  Charles H. Bullis had fought in the War of 1812 before he emigrated to Macedon in 1839.  His grandson, John Lapham Bullis, fought in the Civil War and the Indian Wars of the West.  And he participated in the Spanish-American War as a Paymaster in Cuba and the Philippines.  Granddaughter, Lydia, married Theodore Wint from Pennsylvania who fought in the Civil War and served in the west.  Granddaughter, Jeanette, married a Lt. who fought in the West and died in the Philippines.  Great-grandson, Charles, served stateside at the end of World War I.   Great-granddaughter, Anita, married into a military family and her son carried on the military tradition.  The family had many links to military service.

So we thank all of you who have served, given your time, your energy, sacrificed for this country, and placed duty to country ahead of personal lives.  Click for thank yous in Wayne County

November is National Native American Heritage Month

This month we celebrate National Native American Heritage Month.  It may seem odd that we mention that because John Lapham Bullis was well known as an "Indian fighter" in South Texas. When he led the United State Colored Troops in the Civil War, he took care of his men.  When he led the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts in South Texas, he also battled for them to get their medals of honor and their military pay.   He was not a man who looked at the color one's skin so much as the fruit of one's actions.  We've read that he was a poor Indian agent but we've also seen census rolls where Apaches named their children after him.  We believe he would want a celebration of this month to honor the heritage of those people.  In the Bullis Room we have many books on this heritage.  OWWL search   Some are about the culture, some about the depredations, some about Quaker effort to help the indigenous people.  Please click on the OWWL search link above to view items from the Bullis Room on this topic.
Also in the Bullis Room we have a display of a replica of the Canandaigua Treaty wampum belt.  This belt is the George Washington belt and is composed of thirteen figures holding hands connected to two figures and a house. The 13 figures represent the 13 States of the newly formed United States of America. The two figures and the house symbolize the Haudenosaunee. The two figures next to the longhouse are the Mohawk (Keepers of the Eastern Door) and the Seneca (Keepers of the Western Door). President George Washington had this belt made to ratify the Treaty of 1794.

From A History of Ontario County, New York and Its People by Charles F. Milliken (Vol. 1 - pages 32-33), we have an excerpt of Friend William Savery's journal.  "14th of the Tenth month - - The party of Senecas, headed by the Farmer's Brother, Little Billy, etc., having arrived, last evening, within four miles, were expected this afternoon; but having to paint and ornament themselves before their public entry, they did not arrive till 3 o'clock this afternoon.  The Oneidas, Cayugas, and Onondagas were drawn up, dressed and painted, with their arms prepared for a salute, before General Chapin's door.  The men able to bear arms marched in, assuming a good deal of importance and drew up in a line facing the Oneidas, etc.  Colonel Pickering, General Chapin, and many white people being present.  The Indians fired three rounds which the other Indians answered by a like number, making a long and loud echo through the woods.  Their commanders then ordered them to form a circle around the Commissioner and General Chapin; then, sitting down on the ground, they delivered a speech, through the Farmer's Brother, and returned the strings of wampum which were sent them when they were requested to come to the treaty.  Colonel Pickering answered them in the usual complimentary manner, and ordered several kettles of rum to be brought, after drinking which they dispersed and went to prepare their camp.  Each chief delivered a bundle of sticks, answerable to the number of persons, men, women, and children, under his command, which amounted to 472.  They made a truly terrific and warlike appearance."   On October 14th was the initial arrival of participants of the treaty group and meetings continued until the Treaty was finalized on November 11, 1794.   Some interesting facts reported in the above book: there were at least 1600 Native Americans there, including Red Jacket and Cornplanter; on October 25th seven or eight inches of snow fell; to provide food for everyone in one day, one hundred deer were killed.  
The treaty was written on parchment in duplicate and signed by 50 of the sachems and war chiefs. This treaty is still in effect although it has had some breaches.  This November 11 there will be a commemoration in Canandaigua.  And you are invited.  Click on the link for information.  

Historic marker at Bullis House

Finally, we have a historic marker at the Bullis House.  A grant from the Wm G. Pomeroy Foundation was used to purchase it. The Pomeroy Foundation supports programs related to blood cancers and helps to preserve history.  The Foundation works closely with the National Marrow Donor Program to conduct bone marrow drives in all communities.  Mr. Pomeroy was

diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2004 and received a stem cell transplant in 2005.  He has since established a foundation that focuses on two of his greatest passions: curing blood cancers and local history.  We are very grateful to the foundation for our historic markers and also that through the blood drives 21 donors have been matched to those in need of treatment for a blood cancer.   A huge thank you to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation!                                                                                
And now for the photo of the historic marker; the dedication will be held in the spring along with an Open House.  Watch for our announcements next spring.