Will of Matthew Vassar
Matthew Vassar was an Englishman by birth: he accumulated his wealth as a brewer at Poughkeepsie, New York: he died in 1868, and was the founder of Vassar College: he gave to the Institution 200 acres of land and $788,000 by gift and bequest, and further sums have been contributed by members of the Vassar family: the student attendance numbers about one thousand.
By his will, he gives directions as to his burial, then gives to his nephews and other relatives certain real estate and personal property; the residue he gives to Vassar College.
He established a “Lecture Fund” “to defray the expenses of having lectures on Literature, and the Arts and Sciences, to be delivered at said college by distinguished persons, not officers therein.”
There is also an “Auxiliary Fund,” established to assist students of “superior mind and high scholarship.”
There is the “Library, Art and Cabinet Fund” “to keep in good repair and condition, the library, cabinets and art gallery”; a “Repair Fund” for “making repairs, alterations and improvements.” On the repair fund there is a charge for the board and tuition of the daughters of a certain friend, for four years each, as well as not more than four of his own female blood relatives, living at the time of his decease, who might wish to attend the college. He also provided that any lapsed legacies should pass to the college.
The testator left with his will a letter of advice to the trustees of the college.
Mr. Remsen, in his excellent work on Wills, recommends the course pursued by Mr. Vassar in securing the incorporation of charitable institutions in advance of the death of the testator, and in making testamentary gifts to them for maintenance. He states that this is a favorite method, and was pursued by the founders of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Cooper Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Leland Stanford Junior University, and many other well-known institutions; this plan giving the institution the benefit, in its early stages, of the guiding hand of its founder.
Will of George G. Vest
George G. Vest was one of Missouri’s most distinguished senators, a lawyer of great ability, and an orator of national fame. He died August 9, 1904.