Collection Summary
Vassar family
Vassar Family Papers
1804-circa 1992
1804-1891
1 cubic foot (3 boxes, 1 OV folder)
Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries
Deeds, mortgages, bonds, insurance papers, agreements, wills, complaints, letters, accounts, cancelled checks, leases, and other items concerning estate and business matters of George Booth, James Booth, Charles Vassar, James Vassar, John Guy Vassar, and Matthew Vassar, Jr.
Biographical Note
The founder of Vassar College was Matthew Vassar. He was born to James and Ann Vassar on 29 April 1792 in East Dereham, Norfolk. He had eight siblings, including sisters Sophia, Maria, Jemima and Kezia; and brothers John Guy, Charles and James. John Guy Vassar had two sons: John Guy Vassar, Jr. and Matthew Vassar, Jr.
Matthew's sister, Maria, married George Booth. Their daughter was Lydia Booth, who was instrumental in Matthew's decision to found a college for women.
Chronology
29 Dec 1789
John Guy Vassar born in East Dereham, Norfolk, England, to James and Ann Vassar
29 Apr 1792
Matthew Vassar born
1796
James and Ann Vassar moved their family to the United States
1797
James and Ann purchased a farm in Dutchess County
10 Jan 1797
Charles Vassar born
1801
James and Ann sold the farm and moved to Poughkeepsie to start a brewery
22 Nov 1801
James Vassar, Jr. born
10 May 1811
The brewery burned to the ground, uninsured
11 May 1811
John Guy Vassar died examining the debris
1811
In his grief, James Vassar abandoned Poughkeepsie, and Matthew started a new brewery called M. Vassar and Co.
1832
John Guy Vassar, Jr. and Matthew Vassar, Jr. (John Guy Vassar's sons), became partners in the brewery
1853
Death of James Vassar, Jr.
1861
Vassar College founded
16 Sep 1861
Death of Charles Vassar
26 Sep 1865
Vassar College opened
23 June 1868
Death of Matthew Vassar
Scope and Content Note
Deeds, mortgages, bonds, insurance papers, agreements, wills, complaints, letters, accounts, cancelled checks, leases, and other items concerning estate and business matters of George Booth, James Booth, Charles Vassar, James Vassar, John Guy Vassar, and Matthew Vassar, Jr.
Access
This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.
Restrictions on Use
Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library.
Related Materials
Matthew Vassar Papers
Vassar College Realia Collection
Local History Collection at the Adriance Memorial Library, Poughkeepsien NY
Subject Headings
Names:
Booth, George, ca. 1768-1833
Booth, James
Vassar, Charles
Vassar, James
Vassar, John Guy, 1811-1888
Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Subjects:
Baptists--New York (State)--Poughkeepsie
Women's colleges--New York (State)--Poughkeepsie
Family--New York (State)--Poughkeepsie
Decedents' estates--New York (State)--Dutchess County
Real property--New York (State)--Dutchess County
Places:
Dutchess County (N.Y.)--Commerce
Poughkeepsie (N.Y.)--Religious life and customs
VCL Categories:
Family
Local History
Religion
Encoding Information
Encoded by Elizabeth Clarke, February 2007. Last updated by Emma Gronbeck, June 2025.
Processing Information
Original processing date unknown. Updated by Laura Streett, January 2007. Updated by Emma Gronbeck, August 2023.
Acquisition Information
Gift of various donors.
Preferred Citation
Vassar Family Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.
Container List
Folder 1.1
Booth, George,
1802-1822
Folder 3.1
Booth, George,
(8 items)
1804-1814
Folder 3.2
Booth, James,
(3 items)
1815, 1820, 1835
Folder 2.11
Vassar, Charles G.
Folder 2.1
Vassar, Helen H. — autograph
Folder 1.2
Vassar, James — "Indexed" bonds, deeds, leases and mortgages,
1797-1812
Folder 1.3
Vassar, James — "Indexed" bonds, deeds, leases and mortgages,
1813-1831
Folder 3.3
Vassar, James — "Indexed" bonds, deeds, leases and mortgages,
(23 items)
1804-1817
Folder 1.4
Vassar, James — Miscellaneous statements and notes,
circa 1807-1852
Folder 1.5
Vassar, Jessie,
1911
Folder 1.6
Vassar, John Guy — Estate,
circa 1889-1891
Folder 1.7
Vassar, John Guy — Estate
Folder 1.8
Vassar, John Guy — Estate
Folder 2.2
Vassar, Matthew — Raymond biography and William Kelly letter,
1868
Folder 2.3
Vassar, Matthew Jr. — Notes from diary taken by James M. Taylor
Folder 2.4
Vassar, Matthew Jr. — Correspondence regarding "Mr. Lyon's Will,"
1876-1879
Folder 2.5
Vassar, Matthew Jr. — Miscellaneous,
circa 1861-1889
Folder 2.6
Vassar, Matthew Jr. — Unidentified letter [from the Booth collection?],
1846 Nov 4
Multiple Collections Box 2 (Oversize)
"Vassar Family of Norfolk Genealogy," compiled by Robin Lucas,
1978-1992
Folder 2.7
Nestell property,
1835-1836
Folder 3.4
Nestell property,
1825
Folder 2.8
Poughkeepsie hotels,
1935, undated
Folder 2.9
Real Estate, Chemung County, N.Y.,
1857
Folder 2.10
Bonds, mortgages, and miscellaneous legal documents,
1812-1839
Folder 3.5
Bonds, mortgages, and miscellaneous legal documents,
(11 items)
1808-1839