The name, as well as the history of the first family to leave England and find a homeland in Canada, went through transitions ~ the marriage in 1816 of William BULLERS & Elizabeth BLAKE was recorded by the Anglican Church Vicar who also christened their eight children who were born in St Botolph's Parish. Variations are seen in The Bishop's Transcripts (BULLERS, BULLIERS, BULLEN, BULLARS), while the name was standardized (BULLERS) in the original Parish Registers by the Vicar and Curate who knew the family. There were three families by the Bullers name with children being born and baptized by the Parish Church during the same years. William & Elizabeth Bullers, John & Jane Bullers, and Francis & Hannah Bullers ( ... more to the story!)

William BULLERS was recorded in the English Crown Land Grant Registry with acreage granted in the early 1830's on Wolfe Island Ontario Canada. By 1837, the Anglican Church in Kingston Ontario recorded three baptisms with a spelling (BULLASS) that possibly followed the sound (BULLIS) of other families in Upper (Ontario) Canada. The 1851 census of Wolfe Island, although missing the Personal Census for part of the Island, lists William BULLIS in the Agricultural Census. William wrote his will in 1862, signing his name, William Bullis, with his mark.

Interestingly, the descendants of son William Bullis (8th offspring of William and Elizabeth) of NY record father William's surname as BULLOWS ~ the William Bullows Bible was in the care of great-grandson Ralph Stanley Bullis of Hempstead NY, according to notes written by Marion Bullis Steele Young and Everard Jay Bullis in their family genealogies. The BULLOWS name is not found in the documents of William & Elizabeth BULLERS in either England or Ontario Canada, although Bullows/Bullow is found in surname searches.

YOUNG, Marion Bullis Steele (1968 Sep : NY Endicott)At some time during this early period the name seems to have been changed to Bullers, then according to a story handed down in the family, when Joseph Bullers was going to school, he was teased so much about the name Bullers that he changed it to Bullis, and that form was eventually adopted by the rest of the family.

Bullis' Family History

The Journey WestI was born on Wolfe Island, near Kingston, Ontario, Apr 10, 1864, the 3rd son of John and Elizabeth Bullis. I was schooled in the little red school on the island from 5 years to 12 years, walking morning and night 3 1/2 miles. Father John was a carpenter and built many of the houses and barns for neighbors, while mother Elizabeth and the boys, Joseph, William, and I did the farming of the 100 acres of nice farm land. Father John worked at shipyards when no other carpenter work was obtainable. In the year 1882 our family migrated to Emerson, Manitoba, for my father's health. He had been ailing several years. The move did him good and he lived until Apr 9, 1915, and is buried at Emerson, where my mother also lies, she having passed on Nov 1, 1917, at age of 87. Father lived to age 83.

My father and Bro William and Sister Minnie had preceded our family by 2 years and the reports were, "Manitoba is a land of opportunity and plenty" my father and brother being employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway at a wage unheard of in Ontario. Mother being head of the house and farm on Wolfe Island was advised to have an auction and sell everything except a carload of animals, machinery and furniture, which we were to load in a freight car and ship with us. Accordingly, an auction was held, disposing of all but the car load. Joe, my elder brother, and Mother and myself, with the help of steamer "Pierrepont" noons, and "Maud" evenings, got the stuff hauled to Kingston, where car was loaded in one week. On April 12, 1882, car was started on the long run of 1800 miles. Joe was in charge of car, Mother, myself, John, Robert, Gertrude and Thad traveling on special excursion train. Such a lovely spring morning it was when we were to leave. Bob Boyd, a neighbor, kindly drove us down to the village with our baggage and hamper of lunch to do all the way, perhaps 3 or 4 days. Manitoba was a long way to go in those days.

My favorite cousin, Lucy Bolton, and cousin Jack Bullis to go to Kingston with us. Arriving in Kingston, we found Joe and car had gone earlier in the day. Mother finished up her business and we bade Lucy and Jack goodbye as boat left at 2:30. We afterwards got a cab and drove to Grand Trunk Ry [Railway] station, 2 1/2 miles out of Kingston on main line of Iron Ry tracks (now Canadian National Ry). We were told our train would be along soon, so we waited. Four special passenger trains went through before our 12 coach wood-slat seats train came along at 3am the next morning. At Sarnia [Ontario], all trains had to be ferried over the river. [Detroit River on the southern tip of Lake Huron at the Canadian-US border crossing from Ontario into Michigan]

At Chicago, we were picked up by Rock Island Railway, where we were hustled toward Minneapolis, where we arrived two days later. Here I found Joe and car, but he said he was getting along fine, had a milking cow and he was trading milk for bread to some others going in other cars. (One man accompanied each car to feed and water stock). Rock Island Ry ordered all out at Minneapolis, as their cars could go no further. After a delay of several hours, and finding out that the St Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Ry (now Great Northern) could not furnish coaches, the Rock Island coaches were cleaned and allowed to go on. We left Minneapolis about 5pm on Monday, arrived at Emerson 3am Wednesday. We were on those slat seats 5 days and nights, and they were getting harder and harder, and gruel getting lesser and lesser.

While it was beautiful spring in leaving Kingston, it was snow and ice in Manitoba. Joe and car arrived two days later, and barely was the car unloaded when the snow melted so rapidly the water could not be carried away fast enough, causing the Red River to rise so fast and so wide,

More on the Journey West the town bridge was taken off the piers and landed half a mile down river. We barely got settled in a house when water surrounded us. My father, in his thoughtfulness, had built a boat, not like Noah of old, for all who would climb in, but in anticipation of just such a happening.

The preceding notes were from an auto biography written by Mathew Bullis (4th offspring of John and Elizabeth Bullis) dating to April 3, 1941.

NOTES: Mathew turned 18 years old on Mon 10th Apr 1882. Joe left on Wed 12th Apr, with the rest leaving Thu 13th Apr 3am. Leaving Mon 17th Apr 5pm from Minneapolis, arriving Wed 19th Apr 3am Emerson. Joe arrived 2 days later, about the 20th or 21st, he doesn't say. Written almost 59 years later in his 76th year (Apr 1882-Mar 1941).

John BullisOrigin: English

b. 1831 Dec 05 Mon ~ (StGeo:Dec03Sat)William Bullis Farm ~ Con 9 W1/2 Lot 1NWolfe Island.Frontenac.Ontario.CANADAc. 1837 Feb 21 Tue ~ age 5 yrs 2 mosSt George's Cathedral (Vol 2K5 pg 68 #2)Kingston.Frontenac.Ontario.CANADAd. 1915 Apr 09 Fri ~ age 83 yrs #164227Poplar Grove Farm Lot 72 St Agathe ParishEmerson.Provencher.Manitoba.CANADAb. 1915 Apr 11 Sun ~ Lot 179 burial #0Emerson Cemetery.Emerson.Manitobao. Carpenter ~ Mechanic ~ Farmerr. Anglican ~ Church of England

More About the Name BULLIS, Howard C (1987 Dec 05 Sat : NY Cohocton)Altho I am not descended from the Wolfe Island Bullis line, I do have a great deal of interest in it. My line, and most of the Bullis families, are descendant from Philip Bullis c 1630 and Judith Hart, who married in Boston, Mass, in 1663. The way that I understood the change of name from Bullows to Bullis was that there were Bullis families on Wolfe Island prior to your family, and that there was confusion between the family names. As a result of this confusion, the Bullows family changed to Bullis. I began researching the entire Bullis family back in the 1960s when I was trying to trace just my own line. I kept finding data on people that I knew nothing about, and decided to try to pull the various families together. In the process, I found many Bullis lines, and believe it or not, from various countries. Marion Bullis Young and I were good friends. We met quite a few times when I lived in Rochester. Much of my early information on your line came from her records. I also received information from Jaqueline Hahne, daughter of Stanley Whiting Bullis.

Elizabeth DAVIS-KING-BULLISorigin: Welsh

b. 1830 Jun 23 Wed ~Steuben.Oneida.NEW YORK.USAc. unknown ~d. 1917 Nov 01 Thu ~ age 87 yrs #066088Poplar Grove Farm Lot 72 St Agathe ParishEmerson.Provencher.Manitoba.CANADAb. 1917 Nov 04 Sun ~ Lot 179 burial #192Emerson Cemetery.Emerson.Manitobao. Wife ~ Mother ~ Farmerr. Methodist Episcopalian

The Late John BullisEmerson, Manitoba, April 16, 1915

The death last Friday morning, April 9th, of John Bullis, another old-time resident of the Emerson district, was not unlooked for, as he had been gradually failing in health for a long time owing to a general breakdown. His age was 83 years, 4 months, and 4 days.... The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon and a large representation of the district followed the remains to Emerson cemetery. Rev A W Mayse was the officiating cleryman, and during the service an appropriate solo was rendered by Mr Phillips. Four sons - Joseph, Wm J, Jno J and B T - acted as pallbearers at the house. Deceased had been an ardent Odd Fellow of more than 30 years standing, having joined the local lodge on October 30th, 1883, and in 1908 he was the recipient of a Veteran's Jewel, signifying his 25th year in the Order, which token he prized very highly. Brethren joined the cortege en route to the cemetery and performed the last sad rites to a departed brother. Five sons are now members of the IOOF.... Mr Bullis was born on Wolfe Island, in the St Lawrence, Dec 5th, 1831. In early life he served his apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, which he followed for a number of years. He was married in 1858 to Elizabeth King Davis [Davis King]. In 1881 he came west to Emerson, settling in the Red River district. He moved into town with his family in 1901 and was a resident in Emerson for ten years. At the time of his death he was living with his son Joseph, where he and his now bereft partner had resided for the past four years.... Besides his widow, he is survived by six sons and two daughters, namely, Mrs H H Abbott and Robert, of Richard, Sask; Joseph, Bidwell T and Miss Gertrude, of Emerson; Wm J, of Weyburn, Sask; Matthew, of Sandstone, Minn, and Jno J, of St Paul. (original clipping courtesy of Robert G Bullis : WA Spokane)

The Death of Mrs. John BullisEmerson, Manitoba, November 9, 1917

On Thursday, Nov 1, the death of Mrs John Bullis occurred at the residence of her son, Mr Joseph Bullis. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon last at 2 o'clock. She had lived to the ripe old age of 87, having been born in the year 1830 at Steuben, New York. She was of Welsh descent and during her last days her speech was largely in the language of her childhood. Much of her life was lived at Wolf Island near Kingston, Ont, at which place she was married to John Bullis sixty-four years ago, coming to Emerson in 1882 and has since that date lived in the town and district. Eight children, six boys and two girls, mourn her loss. Mrs Abbott and Robert, of Oldbury, Sask; John, of St Paul; Matthew, of Sandstone, Minn; William, of Weyburn, Sask; Joseph, Gertrude, and Bidwell, of Emerson.... The six sons were the pall bearers. This was the first time for nine years that the whole family had met together, and 14 years ago there was a family re-union when the parents celebrated their golden wedding. The service was conducted by the Rev G F Kaye at her late residence. By special request Mr Phillips rendered a solo entitled "Thy will be done," and Miss L Tandy officiated at the organ. Interment was made at the Emerson cemetery (*1). The deceased lady was a sister of Capt R [Robert] Davis, this city (*2).

Bidwell Hugh Thaddeus Bullis(BT.Thad)

b. 1876 Feb 13 Sun (Eng-Welsh) CAN-ON.Wolfe Island.Frontenac d. 1964 Mar 12 Thu (88 yrs) USA-TX.Irving.Dallas o. farmer-citrus (Rio Hondo)

buried Mont Meta Park USA-TX.San Benito.Cameron

Mary Clotilda (Whiting) Bullisb. 1878 Apr 28 Sun USA-MN.West Concord.Dodge d. 1961 May 07 Sun (83 yrs) USA-TX.Irving.Dallas

buried Mont Meta Park USA-TX.San Benito.Cameron

Left to right: Margaret Emily, StanleyWhiting, Reginald Vinton, Robert (Leslie), Bidwell Thaddeus, Mary Clotilda

Great Great Grandparents, Thad and Mary holding Virginia Bullis. Picture likely taken in Irving, Texas where son, Stanley Whiting Bullis lived. Stan Bullis was the owner of a service station (gasoline) in Irving. At the time Irving was in its infancy as a newly developed suburban city located between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Stanley Whiting Bullis

b. 1905 April 20 (Eng-Welsh) CAN-Minitoba. Emerson d. 1982 July 19 (77 yrs) USA-Mo. Poplar Bluff o. Army Officer, Minister,

buried Mont Meta Park USA-TX.San Benito.Cameron

Minnie Adeline Fandrie (y)b. 1900 (?) May 15 USA-NE Fairburyd. 1967 Jan 28 (67 yrs) USA-OH,

buried Fairmont CemeteryDenver, COSection NW1/4 /Lot 84 /Block 103

Colonel SW.BULLIS ~ US Army

Red (Stanley Whiting Bullis 1905-1988) was a non-commissioned officer in Medical Services. During World War II, he was commissioned and operated a Field Hospital.

(by Everard Bullis) courtesy of Robert G Bullis

Additional wives include:

KlossElizabeth

Gladys Epps

HAMMONDS MAY GET OPPONENT

LADIES WILL BE ADMITTED TO EVENTS FREEBy DUBY DU BOSEAmerican Sports Editor

The grapplers and pugilists will have it out tonight at Austin Athletic Club. According to A. M. Venne preparations have been made for the accommodations of upwards of 1,000 spectators, as due the the prominence of some of the contesting man and ring men the affair is expected to draw one of the largest crowds in some time.

SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS LATER

The athletic director announced that ladies would be admitted free.

Club officials are communicating with several prominent grapplers throughout the state as likely opponents for Hammonds, the 160-pound national and intercollegiate champion for a setto.

STILL LATER....

HAMMONDS MAY GIVE DEMONSTRATION

However, should the plans to get Hammonds an opponent (fail), it is guaranteed, that he will also be seen in action for he has promised to demonstrate to the fans between 75 and 100 different torture holds. go-downs, rides, hold-downs and escapes in the event in the event no one accepts his challenge. "Bring 'em, on-anybody under 170-pounds-I'll try 'em out".

CONTINUATION OF ARTICLE AT RIGHT

SPECIFIC TO STAN BULLIS THE ARTICLE READS:

Stanley W. Bullis who is to be the Austin Athletic Club representative in the 145-pound class at the national wrestling championships has been an exponent of the grappler's art ever since he was a knee-pance kid. At the age of 13 Bullis began to show his ability as a wrestler. He wrestled in High School for for Dominion City, Canada, and there clearly showed his ability by becoming the lighweight champion in the high school division of the Providence of Manitoba.

JOINS THE ORANGE AND WHITE

In 1919, Bullis moved to Texas and his Canadian credits were not transferable, he had to complete his high school course in Rio Hondo. There the Canadian "Red-head" whipped all not only in his class but men who outweighed him by 15 and 20 pounds. Then Bullis decided to cast his lot with the Longhorns and represent the Orange and White of Texas.

The year, 1925 -26 found "Red" Bullis a sophomore and eligible for his first year of varsity competition. He was the outstanding candidate for his class. In fact, his development was so rapid that it appears that at present Ralph Hamonds is the only man on the Longhorn squad who is able to give Bullis any competition.

NOTE:HAMMOND WENT ON TO WRESTLE IN THE 1928 OLYMPICS PLACING 4TH.

Stanley Bullis the Athlete. He was a star wrestler for the University of Texas, Longhorns wrestling team.

Left: Stan Bullis in uniform, Minnie Bullis (back facing camera), Uncle Bob Bullis far right. Likely at Jim and Mary’s wedding.Right: Scout Leader's Course photo with Stan Bullis, circa 1949.

As series of photos of Thaddeus, Stan and Jim Bullis, Babies are Ginger and Daryl. Location likely Irving, TX

Minnie Adeline (Fandry) Bullis died January 28, 1967. Buried in Fairmont Cemetery Denver, Colorado

Above: Aunt Margaret, Uncle Bob and Jim Bullis, location likely Rio Hondo, TX

Uncle Bob and Dad, on the beach in Hawaii where they lived for a short period of time.

Stan Bullis remarried twice after Minnie. Gladys Epps was his third wife. She served with Stan in the mission field at Grand Island Baptist Chapel in New York and toward the end of their lives they adopted special needs children and gave them a home this lead to the establishment of a group home for children with special needs.

Boy meets Girl Married August 24, 1952

, Likely, Saint Louis before they were married.

This trailer was the first home the newlywed couple lived in following their August 24th wedding. They immediately began college studies at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX. Jim graduated from Howard Payne and went on Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth where he graduated (likely 1961).

The Texas Years 1952 - 1961

While in college and Seminary, Jim held pastoral positions at Calvary Mission - Brownwood (53), Hasse Baptist Church Hasse (56), Oakhill Baptist Church - Austin, and First Baptist - Colleyville. Jim and Mary’s dream was to become missionaries in Columbia, South America. This was not to be, instead they moved to Ohio and took a preaching position at Groesbeck Baptist Church ( 61).

New York and Canada 1965 - 2005

Jim and Mary moved the family to North Tonawanda, New York in 1965. They first resided in a two-story wood frame house at the corner of Ruie and Nash Roads in North Tonawanda then Jim, his father Stan Bullis, and the boys built a home for the family located at 767 Ohio Street. The kids went to Ohio Street Elementary School in that city. Jim was the Pastor at North Tonawanda Baptist Church.

The family moved to Depew NY in 1970. Jim and Mary started Veterans Park baptist Church where Jim was the pastor. The photo at left is the church building located on the town square in Depew , NY. The family lived in the parsonage next door to the church until Jim and the boys built their second home located at 95 Park Avenue in Depew. The family prospered in Depew with the oldest child Virginia receiving accolades for her mental acumen and the four boys being successful athletes at the local high school.

In 1978 the family received the dreaded news that Mary was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. Around that same time Jim and Mary decided to move to Canada to continue their ministry in that country. They first settled in the city of Burlington, Ontario. It was there on July 19, 1982 that Mary lost her battle with cancer and went to be with the Lord.

Jim Bullis continued to preach in Canada. However, he was incomplete without a wife and helpmate. After five years he, sought out, and married a fine christian woman from Louisiana. Her name was Melissa Griffin. She was a wonderful addition to Jim’s life. They set up their home in Hamilton, Ontario and Jim and Melissa ministered to a small congregation there. Melissa suffered from diabetes and it was this deadfall decease final took her in 1999.

Jim went on to labor doing God’s work in the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. It was there, in the land of the great falls and a favorite summer day trip for the family, that his Lord and Savior took him on March 1st, of 2005.

The following images document a lives well lived by James Stanley and Mary Alice (Epps) Bullis.

James Stanley Bullisb. 1933, February 12 USA - Denver,COd. 2005 March 1 ~ age 72 yrs Niagara Falls, Ontario, CANADAb. Cremation o. Ministerr. Southern Baptist

Pastor James 'Jim' Stanley Bullis died and went home to be with the Lord on March 1, 2005. He left a great legacy and will be missed. Jim was a church planter and pastored churches in Texas, Ohio, New York and Ontario, Canada. He was currently pastoring in Niagara Falls, New York. He was an author. He loved and bred his beloved dogs. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice (Epps) Bullis and his wife Melissa (Griffin) Bullis; his parents; Stanley and Minnie Bullie and his grandson Ezekiel Bullis. He is survived by his daughter and her husband, Virginia and Scott Ferry of Indiana, and his sons and their wives; Daryl and Jane Bullis of North Carolina, Robert and Paula Bullis of Texas, David and Rachel Bullis of Arizona and Timothy and Linda Bullis of West Virginia. Grandfather of Matthew and Nathan Ferry, Richie and Joey Bullis, Steve, Michael, Tim, Mindy, and Candice Bullis, and Samantha and Mary Bullis. Great grandfather of BJ Adkins, Savannah Bullis, Liam Ferry and Corben Hill. Cremation has taken place and arrangements have been entrusted to HETHERINGTON & DEANS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 5176 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, Ontario; 905-354-5614.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2005 at 3 PM at Veteran's Park Baptist Church, 96 Meridian Street, Depew, New York.

Published in the Buffalo News on 3/5/2005.

Mary Alice (Epps) Bullisb. 1932, December 1 USA - Saint Louis, MOd. 1982 July 19 ~ age 50 yrs Burlington, Ontario, CANADAb. Lone Hill Cemetery Poplar Bluff, MOo. Minister's wife, child care center operatorr. Southern Baptist

In Memoriam

Little did we realize that our wife and mother would hear "Mary come home" from her lord only weeks before the release of her book, Mary, Come Home! Now we look forward all the more to "that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13), when the entire Bullis family will be at home with Mary.

Ten and a half months before Jesus called her home, the kids bought her a gloxinia plant for her sickroom. Later the blooms fell of, leaving only the green leaves. On the very day Mary left us, we looked at the plant through tear-filled eyes. It had bloomed again!

She "being dead yet speaketh" (Heb. 11:4).

Jim Bullis On behalf of Virginia, Daryl, Bob, Dave and Tim Bullis

Mary wrote this book telling the story of her labors as daughter, mother and preacher’s wife.