vassai: BROTHERS' ixs'iti'ttk. 17 



Mr. John Ghiy Vassar, the donor of the building, in 

 presenting the property to the Society, said : 



"Our grandfather, James Vassar, left Norfolk. Eng- 

 land, and came to tliis country in 1796. 



-"In the first year of this century lie purchased the 

 grant upon which this edifice now stands, from the estate 

 of Baltus Van Kleeck, our great-great grandfather on 

 tlie maternal side, who emigrated from Holland, and 

 built the first house in Poughkeepsie in 17()2 — having 

 received this land grant from Queen Ann. In this house 

 the Legislature of the State of New York held its first 

 meeting. 



James Vassar was a farmer, and introduced from Eng- 

 land the seed which produced the first bushel of barley 

 grown in Dutchess County. Accustomed to his home- 

 brewed ale in England, he here erected one of the first 

 breweries in this country. 



My deceased brother, Matthew Vassar, Jr., and my- 

 self, wished to consecrate these premises to the use of 

 coming generations in the study of Science, Letters 

 and Art, and it affords me great pleasure to be able to 

 accomplish the work and carry out the plans, which 

 would have afforded my brother the highest satisfaction 

 had he been spared to us. 



To Vassar Brothers' Institute I now present the deed 

 of this edifice and adjacent grounds, dedicated to Sci- 

 ence, Literature and Art, with my fondest hope for its 

 future success. In order to protect this memorial, to my 

 brother, from dilapidation, I present $6000 registered 6$ 

 securities as the repair fund of the Institute. 



The paid policies of insurance to the extent of nearly 

 $30,000, I hand to the Institute. The taxes for the 

 year are placed to my debit, and now, with the good 

 wishes of friends and members, the Institute. I trust, 

 will start on a career of prosperity," 



Mr. S. M. Buckingham, Chairman of the Board of Trus- 

 tees, in accepting the property, said : 



Mr. Vassar. As Chairman of the Board of Trustees, it 

 becomes my pleasant duty to receive from your hand, 

 and to thank you for this deed and these papers, which 

 convey to Vassar Brothers' Institute, the title to the 

 beautiful temple in which we are now assembled, with 

 its furniture and surroundings, to be devoted from this 



