It was fitting that the descendants of Samuel Leonard Hull and Augusta Smith Hull gathered Aug. 4, 2007, at Salem Baptist Church for their 75th family reunion.

It was just after the turn of the 19th Century when S.L. and Augusta Hull with their eight children came from Rising Star and settled in the Salem community. Three more children were added to the family after their arrival.

The Hulls joined with other early day settlers in establishing the Salem Baptist Church, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004. The late Earl Hull liked to tell about riding with this father in 1906 in a wagon to Colorado City to bring back lumber for a new church building. He was six years old at the time.

From these roots sprang several preachers. S.L. and “Gussie” were preceded in coming to West Texas by his parents, Samuel S. and Rebecca Hull and by Samuel’s parents, David and Sarah Hull. Both David and Samuel were circuit rider preachers.

The 40 attendees enjoyed a barbecue lunch with all the trimmings and lots of reminiscing and picture sharing. After adjourning, several of the family went down the road to visit with Buford Hull, who was unable to attend the reunion.

Buford had been the reunion coordinator for many years. After having selected his replacement, Randy Hull, who lives in the Salem community, Buford left this earth less than a week later to join a greater reunion.