Guide to the Matthew Vassar Papers, 1797-1890

Guide to the Matthew Vassar Papers,
1797-1890

Table of Contents


Collection Summary

Repository: Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries
Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Title: Matthew Vassar Papers
Dates: 1797-1890
Quantity: 15 linear ft.
Abstract: Papers created by and relating to Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College.
Forms of Materials: Autobiographies, autographs, correspondence, diaries, maps, photographs

Biographical Note

Matthew Vassar, born in the County of Norfolk, England, emigrated with his parents and other family members to Dutchess County, N.Y., in 1796. The Vassars were a family of brewers, and Matthew set up his own brewery in Poughkeepsie in 1811. His other enterprises included land dwellings in Michigan and an interest in a whaling fleet and dock in Poughkeepsie.

Married to Catherine Valentine in 1813, Vassar made a comfortable fortune. After a trip to Europe in 1845, he thought seriously of using his means to endow a hospital. About that time, however, he met Milo P. Jewett, who had bought a Poughkeepsie girl’s school from Vassar’s niece Lydia Booth. Jewett apparently interested Vassar in the idea of establishing a college for women. Vassar College was chartered in 1861 and opened its doors to students in 1865. It was not the first venture in higher education for women, but the extensive advertising and publicity for the college brought the question of women’s education to popular attention with greater force than ever before. Matthew Vassar strongly believed in women’s mental capacity, in proving that woman’s mind was equal to man’s; and he intended that his college should both prove that point and prepare women to live in the modern world.

Though he was not polished in manner of speech, Matthew Vassar was undeniably a man of remarkable creativity, intelligence, and determination. Vassar’s experiment was responsible for the appearance of many colleges for women in England and in this country, and encouraged coeducation, as well, in state-supported institutions.

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Chronology

29 April 1792 Matthew Vassar born in East Dereham, Norfolk, England, to James and Ann Vassar.
1796 The Vassar Family moved to the United States with parents and siblings.
1797 The Vassar Family purchased a farm in Dutchess County.
1801 The Vassar Family sold the farm and moved to Poughkeepsie to start a brewery.
1807 Matthew ran away from home to avoid an unpalatable apprenticeship as a tanner.
1810 Matthew returned to Poughkeepsie with $150 he'd saved while working for merchants in Newburgh.
1810 Matthew began working at the family brewery.
10 May 1811 The brewery burned to the ground, uninsured.
11 May 1811 John Guy Vassar, Matthew's brother, died examining the debris.
1811 In his grief, James Vassar abandoned Poughkeepsie, and Matthew started a new brewery called M. Vassar and Co.
1812 Matthew opened Poughkeepsie's first oyster bar.
7 March 1813 Matthew married Catherine Valentine.
1832 John Guy Vassar and Matthew Vassar, Jr. (Matthew's late brother's sons), became partners in the brewery.
1845 With income swelled by great success in business, Matthew and Catherine traveled to Europe. While there, they visited Guy Hospital in London, named after John Guy, a Vassar relative and the institution's sole benefactor. The visit inspired Matthew to seriously consider the future of his fortunes and the legacy of his accomplishments.
1854 Lydia Booth, Matthew's niece and mistress of Poughkeepsie's Cottage Hill Seminary (for girls), died. It was Booth who fomented the idea of founding a college for women to ensure the Vassar name a prominent place in history. The idea was further encouraged by Milo P. Jewett, Booth's successor at Cottage Hill.
1856 Matthew hired an architect to begin planning a college for women.
January 1861 The Legislature of the State of New York passed the bill incorporating Vassar Female College.
26 February 1861 Vassar's Board of Trustees held its first meeting and elected Milo P. Jewett the college's first president.
4 June 1861 Ground was broken for the College's first building.
1863 Catherine Vassar died.
April 1864 Jewett resigned following a series of disagreements with the founder. John Howard Raymond was elected as his successor.
26 September 1865 Vassar College opened, welcoming 353 students from 22 states.
30 April 1866 Vassar celebrated its first Founder's Day, in honor of Matthew's birthday.
23 June 1868 Matthew Vassar died during a meeting of Vassar's Board of Trustees.

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Scope and Content Note

Much of the correspondence, especially personal, is missing because after Matthew Vassar’s death, his nephew, Matthew Vassar Jr., sold all of the letters and papers in the house to the rag and old paper dealers to benefit the estate. Much of the remaining correspondence concerns his business. Upon the death of Matthew Vassar’s nephew and business partner, Oliver H. Booth, in 1896, a large accumulation of “all and any paper that had been written on” covering most of the nineteenth century was found in the brewery, and Henry Booth [son of Oliver H. Booth?] kept those which were considered worth keeping. They were donated to Vassar College in 1964 by Deling Booth [son of Henry?], and are marked in the register with a double asterisk (**). They are described as written by Matthew Vassar to his firm.

Among the letters to the college, there are a number of people with whom Matthew Vassar maintained a substantial correspondence. These include Martin Brewer Anderson at the University of Rochester (where the originals are held); Sarah J. Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, a strong early supporter who was responsible for the removal of “Female” from the college’s name; Benson J. Lossing; Charles A. Raymond; John H. Raymond (President of Vassar College, 1864-1878) and Sarah L. Stilson, one of Vassar College’s first students (graduated 1869).

The portion of the collection which deals with Matthew Vassar’s estate “Springside” contains the architect’s drawings. These are housed separately, and can be accessed through the index which is in folder 312, and following page 37 of the register. There is some secondary material on “Springside” in the collection, including some on its recent history, and also some material on Andrew Jackson Downing, the architect and landscape artist.

The exact provenance of much of the memorabilia collection is unknown; those items marked * in the register were transferred to Special Collections from Main Building in 1971.

Items marked with a triple asterisk (***) are a late accession, but whether from the Booth Collection or the 1971 transfer from Main Building is unknown.

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Access and Use

Access

This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.

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Related Material

  • Matthew Vassar's canes and umbrella can be found in the Realia collection, box 59.

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Subject Headings

Names:

  • Anderson, Martin Brewer, 1815-1890.
  • Downing, A. J. (Andrew Jackson), 1815-1852.
  • Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879.
  • Lossing, Benson John, 1813-1891.
  • Raymond, Charles A.
  • Raymond, John H. (John Howard), 1814-1878.
  • Stilson, Sarah L.
  • Vassar, Catherine Valentine

Organizations:

  • Vassar Brewery (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.).
  • Vassar College -- Buildings.
  • Vassar College.

Subjects:

  • Businessmen.
  • Decedents' estates -- New York (State) -- Poughkeepsie.
  • Dwellings -- New York (State) -- Poughkeepsie.
  • Philanthropists.
  • Real property -- Michigan.
  • Real property -- New York (State) -- Poughkeepsie.
  • Women -- Education.
  • Women's colleges -- New York (State) -- Poughkeepsie.

Places:

  • Poughkeepsie (N.Y.)--Commerce.
  • Springside (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. : Estate)

Document Types:

  • Autobiographies.
  • Autographs.
  • Correspondence.
  • Diaries.
  • Maps.
  • Photographs.

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Encoding Information

Encoded by Jennifer Palmentiero, July 2006

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Matthew Vassar Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Memorabilia was transferred to Special Collections from Main Building in 1971. Letters concerning Matthew Vassar's business were donated by Deling Booth in 1964.

Other Formats

1) The Matthew Vassar Papers are also available in microfilm. See also the Guide to the Matthew Vassar Papers, Microfilm .

2) A four-volume set of typed transcripts of Matthew Vassar's correspondence was created in 1965 by the Vassar College Library. These volumes are located in the Department of Archives and Special Collections in the Vassariana Collection under the call number, 378.7v FV45A2.

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Series List

Series I. Materials Concerning Vassar College

Act to Incorporate
Notes, Memos, etc.re:VC
Correspondence
Ltrs of application and draft replies
Letter book
College grounds admissions
Addresses to the Trustees and the college
Deeds, Mortgages, inventories, etc.

Series II. Personal and Civic Life

Autobiographical writings and diaries
Correspondence
Baptist Church connections, controversy
Other civic papers
Springside
Miscellaneous personal papers, etc.
Gravesite
Canes and umbrellas

Series III. Matthew Vassar and Company, Brewers

Correspondence
Memoranda and remarks
Partnerships
Financial papers
The Vassar Brewery (microfilm)
Lansingburgh Brewery (microfilm)
Patents

Series IV. Property and Financial Papers - Personal and Business

Deeds in chest
Deeds
Deeds pertaining to properties owned by M. Vassar
Real estate

Series V. Images

Silhouettes
Ambrotype
Daguerreotypes

Series VI. Typescripts and Photostats

This series is largely unprocessed and currently has only minimal description.

Container List

Series I. Materials Concerning Vassar College

Folder 1.2 "Suggestions in the matters of proceeding with the work of Vassar College", and "Matters for consideration in locating grounds for Vassar Female College"
Folder 1.1 Act to incorporate
Folder 1.3 "Mem. remarks made to M. Jewett in my office, 17 Mar 1864
Folder 2.4 to Hon. Ira Harris, 1 Sep 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 2.5 from Anna Cleveland, 14 Sep 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 2.6 to Miss Anna Clevland, 15 Sep 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 2.7 from Thomas Devan, 25 Sep 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 2.8 to Rev. Thomas Devan, 26 Sep 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 2.9 to Susan B. Anthony, 13 Nov 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 2.10 to Hon. William Kelly, 23 Jan 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.11 to Hon. Ira Harris, 24 Jan 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.12 from Edwin Morton, jr., 31 Jan 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.13 from W. R. Bartlett, 4 Feb 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.14 from William H. DeWitt, 27 Feb 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.15 from W. F. Hansell, 1 Mar 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.16 to James Grant Wilson, 27 Jun 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.17 from Matthew Farrand, 30 Jul 1861 (2 items)
Folder 2.18 to Matthew Farrand, 30 Jul 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.19 to Henry A. Ward, 31 Jul 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.20 to Rev. William Hague, 23 Oct 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 2.21 to Mrs. Angela G. Weld, 18 Jul 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 2.22 to Maria Mitchell, 25 Nov 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 2.23 to S. S. Cutting, 6 Jul 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 2.24 to V.C. Board of Trustees, letter from O. Murphy to Trustees, 16 Sep 1863 (2 items)
Folder 2.25 to Rev. Dr. William Hague, 1 Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.26 from William Hague, 2 Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.27 from William Kelly, 21 Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.28 to William Kelly (draft), [24] Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.29 to William Kelly, 24 Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.30 to Mrs. M. E. J. Grace, 13 May1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.31 to Dear Sir, 11 Jul 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.32 to Jno. S. Mann, Esq., 12 Jul1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.33 to William Warner, Esq., 20 Jul1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.34 to E. L. Magoon, 19 Aug1864 (1 letter)
Folder 2.35 to Mrs. Sarah Oliphant, 6 Sep 1864 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 2.36 to Eastman, 29 Sep 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 2.37 to Nathan Bishop, 3 Nov 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 2.38 to Miss [M. L.] Dickinson, 10 Mar 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 2.39 to Rev. E.J. Goodspeed, 26 Apr 1866 (2 items)
Folder 2.40 to Mary L. Gilbert, [1 May] 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 2.41 to M.L. Dickinson, E.L. Talbot, 2 Oct 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 2.42 to Miss [M.H. Whitney], 6 Dec 1866 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 2.43 to Eva Goodrich, 19 Apr 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 3.44 to J. W. Grand [?], Esq., 20 Apr 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 3.45 to Maria Mitchell, 9 Jul 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 3.46 to Nathan Bishop, 2 Aug 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 3.47 to Miss Powell, 21 Nov 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 3.48 to Dr. E. L. M. [Elias Magoon?], to honorary committee appointed to inspect the miniature statue..., 12 Dec 1867 2 letters
Folder 3.49 to Samuel B. Buckingham, 19 Dec 1867 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 3.50 to Nathan Bishop L.L.D., 10 Jan 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 3.51 to C. H. Farrar, 10 Mar 1869 (1 letter)
Folder 3.52 to Miss Powell, 28 Apr 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 3.53 to Miss Gilbert, 1 Mar 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 3.54 to J.W. Grand, Esq., 8 Jun 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 3.55 to Prof. Charles S. Farrar, 11 Jun 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 3.56 to Miss Gilbert, n.d. (1 letter)
Folder 3.57 to Rev. Downing, n.d. (1 letter)
Folder 3.58 to nephews Mathhew, John Guy Vassar, n.d. (1 letter)
Folder 3.59 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 4 Jul 1855 (1 letter)
Folder 3.60 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 5 Jul 1855 (1 letter)
Folder 3.61 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 3 Mar 1856 (1 letter)
Folder 3.62 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 2 Jul 1856 (1 letter)
Folder 3.63 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 10 Jul 1856 (1 letter)
Folder 3.64 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 19 Jul 1856 (1 letter)
Folder 1.65 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 26 Jan 1859 (1 letter)
Folder 3.66 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 9 Jul 1859 (1 letter)
Folder 3.67 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 24 Mar1860 (1 letter)
Folder 3.68 to Martin Brewer Anderson (?), 5 Apr 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 3.69 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 8 May1860 (1 letter)
Folder 3.70 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 19 Jun 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 3.71 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 28 Jan 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 3.72 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 7 May 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 3.73 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 28 Jun 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 3.74 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 5 Jul 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 3.75 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 18 Jun 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 3.76 to Martin Brewer Anderson, 29 Jun 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 4.77 to Sarah J. Hale, 8 May 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 4.78 from Sarah J. Hale, 30 Sep 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 4.79 to Sarah J. Hale, 13 Nov 1861 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.80 to Sarah J. Hale, 11 Dec 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 4.81 to Sarah J. Hale, 25 Jan 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 4.82 to Sarah J. Hale, 26 Feb1864 (1 letter)
Folder 4.83 to Sarah J. Hale, 23 Mar1864 (1 letter)
Folder 4.84 to Sarah J. Hale, 31 Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 4.85 to Sarah J. Hale, 20 Apr 1864 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.86 to Sarah J. Hale, 28 Apr 1864 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.87 to Sarah J. Hale, 8 Jun 1864 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.88 to Sarah J. Hale, 21 Jun 1864 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.89 to Sarah J. Hale, 26 Sep 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 4.90 to Sarah J. Hale, 27 Dec 1864 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.91 to Sarah J. Hale, 7 Jan 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 4.92 to Sarah J. Hale, 7 Jan 1865 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.93 to Sarah J. Hale, 6 Mar 1865 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.94 from Sarah J. Hale, 30 Mar 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 4.95 to Sarah J. Hale, 7 Jun 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 4.96 to Sarah J. Hale, 6 Jul 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 4.97 to Sarah J. Hale, 28 Aug 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 4.98 to Sarah J. Hale, 28 Oct 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 4.99 to Sarah J. Hale, 4 Dec 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 4.100 to Sarah J. Hale, 29 Jan 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 4.101 to Sarah J. Hale, 27 Jun 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 4.102 to Sarah J. Hale, 25 Aug 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 4.103 to Sarah J. Hale, 5 Dec 1866 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.104 to Sarah J. Hale, 22 Feb 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 4.105 to Sarah J. Hale, 7 Mar 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 4.106 to Sarah J. Hale, 22 Mar 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 4.107 to Sarah J. Hale, 20 Jun 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 4.108 to Sarah J. Hale, 11 Jul 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 4.109 to Sarah J. Hale, 9 Sep 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 4.110 to Sarah J. Hale, 3 Oct 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 4.111 to Sarah J. Hale, 14 Oct 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 4.112 to Sarah J. Hale, 27 Mar 1868 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 4.113 to Sarah J. Hale, n.d. (5 letters and envelopes)
Folder 5.114 from Milo P. Jewett, [Summer?] 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 1.115 to Milo P. Jewett, 24 Oct 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 5.116 to Milo P. Jewett, 2 Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.117 to Milo P. Jewett, 17 Mar 1864 (1 letter, photocopy)
Folder 5.118 to Milo P. Jewett, 19 Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.119 to Milo P. Jewett, 22 Mar 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.120 to Benson J. Lossing, 14 Feb 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 5.121 to Benson J. Lossing, 29 Sep 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.122 to Benson J. Lossing, 24 May 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.123 to Benson J. Lossing, 27 Jun 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 5.124 to Benson J. Lossing, 4 Feb 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 5.125 to Benson J. Lossing, 15 Feb 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 5.126 to Benson J. Lossing, 22 Feb 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 5.127 to Benson J. Lossing, 15 Jun 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 5.128 to Benson J. Lossing, 1 Jul 1867 (1 letter)
Box 41 to Benson J. Lossing, 2 Jul 1867 (2 letters)
Folder 5.129 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 30 Jul 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.130 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 6 Aug 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.131 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 9 Aug 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.132 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 25 Aug 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.133 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 28 Aug 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.134 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 12 Sep 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.135 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 16 Sep 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.136 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 22 Sep 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.137 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 25 Nov 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.138 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 12 Dec 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.139 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 29 Dec 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 5.140 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 1 Jan 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 5.141 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 6 Feb 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 5.142 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 24 Feb 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 5.143 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 13 Mar 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 5.144 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 20 Mar 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 5.145 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 24 May 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 5.146 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 13 Aug 1863 (1 letter)
Folder 5.147 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, 3 Apr 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.148 to Rev. Charles A. Raymond, typescripts of letters in folders 129-147, 30 Jul 1862 - 3 Apr 1864
Folder 5.149 to John H. Raymond, 24 Jan 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 5.150 to John H. Raymond, 2 Jun 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.151 to John H. Raymond (?), 17 Jun 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.152 to John H. Raymond, 12 Aug 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.153 to John H. Raymond, 22 Dec 1864 (1 letter)
Folder 5.154 to John H. Raymond, 14 Jan 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 6.155 to John H. Raymond, 7 Nov 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 6.156 to John H. Raymond, 29 Nov 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 6.157 to John H. Raymond, 5 Feb 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.158 to John H. Raymond, 14 Feb 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 6.159 to John H. Raymond, 10 Jun 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 6.160 to Mrs. John H. Raymond, n.d. (1 letter)
Folder 6.161 to Cyrus Swan, Jun 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 6.162 to Cyrus Swan, 10 Jan 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 6.163 to Cyrus Swan, 1865? (1 letter)
Folder 6.164 to Cyrus Swan, 2 Nov 1865 (1 letter)
Folder 6.165 to Cyrus Swan, 22 Feb 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 6.166 from Cyrus Swan, 30 Mar 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 6.167 from Cyrus Swan, 4 Apr 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 6.168 to Cyrus Swan, 10 Apr 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 6.169 to Cyrus Swan, 10 Apr 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 6.170 from Cyrus Swan, 2 May 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 6.171 from Cyrus Swan, 6 May 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 6.172 to Sarah L. Stilson, 8 May 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 6.173 to Sarah L. Stilson, 16 Jun 1866 (1 letter and draft)
Folder 6.174 to Sarah L. Stilson, 4 May 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.175 to Sarah L. Stilson, [13 Jun] 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.176 from Sarah L. Stilson, 21 Aug 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.177 care of Sarah L. Stilson, 5 Sep 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.178 from Sarah L. Stilson, 21 Sep 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.179 care of Sarah L. Stilson, 26 Sep 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.180 from Sarah L. Stilson, 12 Oct 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.181 to Sarah L. Stilson, 18 Oct 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.182 from Sarah L. Stilson, 6 Dec 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.183 to Sarah L. Stilson, 10 Dec 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 6.184 from Carrie F. Stowe, 7 Nov 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 6.185 to Carrie F. Stowe, 29 Nov 1861 (1 letter)
Folder 6.186 from Carrie F. Stowe, 3 Jun 1862 (1 letter and photograph)
Folder 6.187 to Carrie F. Stowe, 10 Jun 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 6.188 to Carrie F. Stowe, 25 Jun 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 6.189 from Carrie F. Stowe, 12 Feb 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 6.190 from Carrie F. Stowe, 22 Feb 1862 (1 letter)
Folder 7.191 Letters of application and draft replies, 1860 - 1861 (9 letters)
Folder 7.192 Letters of application and draft replies, Jan - Jun 1862 (8 letters and 3 enclosures)
Folder 7.193 Letters of application and draft replies, Jul - Oct 1862 (10 letters)
Folder 7.194 Letters of application and draft replies, Dec 1862 (14 letters)
Folder 7.195 Letters of application and draft replies, Jan 1863 (5 letters)
Folder 7.196 Letters of application and draft replies, Feb 1863 (10 letters
Folder 7.197 Letters of application and draft replies, Mar - Jun 1863 (6 letters)
Folder 7.198 Letters of application and draft replies, Jul - Dec 1863 (6 letters)
Folder 7.199 Letters of application and draft replies, Jan - Feb 1864 (8 letters)
Folder 7.200 Letters of application and draft replies, Mar - 9 May 1864 (9 letters)
Folder 7.201 Letters of application and draft replies, 10 May - 29 May 1864 (12 letters)
Folder 8.202 Letter Book, 1860-1868
Folder 7.203 College Grounds Admissions, 1866 - ? (2 items)
Folder 1.204 Address to Board of Trustees, 26 Feb 1861 (1 item)*
Folder 1.205 Address to Board of Trustees, 25 Feb 1862 (1 item)*
Folder 1.206 Address to Board of Trustees, 24 Jun 1862 (1 item)*
Folder 1.207 Address to Board of Trustees, 30 Jun 1863 (1 item)*
Folder 1.208 Address to Board of Trustees, 23 Feb 1864 (1 item)*
Folder 1.209 Address to Board of Trustees, 28 Jun 1864 (1 item)*
Folder 1.210 Address to Board of Trustees, 12-13 Apr 1865 (1 item)*
Folder 1.211 Address to Board of Trustees, 27 Jun 1865 (1 item)*
Folder 1.212 Address to Board of Trustees, 26 Jun 1866 (1 item)*
Folder 1.213 Address to Board of Trustees, draft, 25 Jun 1867 (1 item)
Folder 1.214 Address to Board of Trustees, 25 Jun 1867 (1 item)*
Folder 1.215 Address to Board of Trustees, draft, 23 Jun 1868 (1 item and clipping) *
Folder 1.216 Address to Board of Trustees, draft, 23 Jun 1868 (1 item)
Folder 1.217 Address to Board of Trustees (with X on p. 11 to mark where Vassar stopped reading), 23 Jun 1868 (1 item)*
Folder 1.218 Address to Board of Trustees (facsimile of last page with note by B.J. Lossing on Matthew Vassar's death, 23 Jun 1868 (3 items)
Folder 1.219 Communications to the Board of Trustees (collected addresses), 1886 (1 copy)
Folder 1.220 Notes for speech at 3rd [Anniversary] Union
Folder 1.221 Fragment of unidentified address/letter
Folder 1.222 Deeds, mortgages relating to Vassar Female College (folder 1 of 2) (4 items)
Folder 24.222A Deeds, mortgages relating to Vassar Female College, (folder 2 of 2) (3 items)
Folder 1.223 Vassar College Farm: Inventory of Matthew Vassar's personal property (3 items and transcript)

SERIES II. Personal and Civic Life

Folder 9.224 Autobiographical Sketch: "There is no facility of the mind..." (1 item)
Folder 9.225 Autobiographical sketches, "The subject of the following memoir..." and, "The subject of this memoir..." (2 items)
Folder 9.226 Autobiographical sketch: "A brief memorandum of a few of the incidents in the life...", 1854 (1 item and transcript)
Folder 10.227 Autobiography (notebook) (1 item)*
Folder 10.228 Diary v.1, 1 Feb - 8 Oct 1862 (1 item)*
Folder 10.229 Diary v. 2, 12 Oct 1863 - 9 May 1864 (1 item)*
Folder 10.230 Diary v. 3, 9 May - 12 Oct 1864 (1 item)*
Folder 10.231 Diary v. 4, 26 Sep 1864 - 30 Jun 1865 (1 item)*
Folder 10.232 Diary v. 5, 9 Nov 1865 -13 Apr 1866 (1 item)*
Folder 10.233 Diary v. 6, 14 Apr - 13 Sep1866 (1 item)*
Folder 10.234 Diary v. 7, 4 Feb - 22 Jun1867 (1 item)*
Folder 10.235 Diary v. 8, 22 Jun1867 - 26 Jan 1868 (1 item)*
Folder 10.236 Diary v. 9, 28 Nov 1867 - 13 Apr 1868 (1 item)*
Folder 10.237 Diary v. 10, 14 Apr - 23 Jun 1868 (1 item)*
Folder 7.238 from George Swain, 29 ? 1815 (1 letter)
Folder 9.239 from Jeremiah Dodge, 12 Aug 1816 (1 letter)**
Folder 9.240 from John Harbottle, 6 Feb 1833 (1 letter)**
Folder 7.241 to Gail Tallmadge, 30 Apr 1835 (1 letter)
Folder 7.242 from John Harlbottle, 2 Apr 1837 (1 letter and transcript)
Folder 7.243 to Oliver [Booth?], 27 Jun 1837 (1 letter)**
Folder 7.244 to My Dear Friend, 24 Nov 1837 (1 letter)**
Folder 7.245 from Sophia Harlbottle, 15 Oct 1839 (1 letter and transcript)
Folder 7.246 from Robert A. Forsyth, 17 Jun 1842 (1 letter)
Folder 7.247 from Thos. Sommers, 6 Mar 1843 (1 letter)
Folder 7.248 from W. [S.?] Coolidge, 21 Mar 1843 (1 letter)
Folder 9.249 to Dear Sirs, 8 Jun 1844 (1 letter)**
Folder 11.250 from F. W. Porter Co., 5 Aug 1844 (1 letter)
Folder 11.251 from F. W. Porter, 27 Aug 1844 (1 letter)
Folder 11.252 from Kitchum [Jo?], 27 Aug 1844 (1 letter)
Folder 11.253 from A. J. Prime, 9 Sep 1844 (1 letter)
Folder 11.254 from Thomas D. Burrall, 8 Nov 1844 (1 letter)
Folder 11.255 from James Hooker, 9 Jan 1845 (1 letter)
Folder 11.256 to Dear Sir, 27 Jan 1846 (1 letter)**
Folder 11.257 to Dear Sir, 22 July 1867 (1 letter)**
Folder 11.258 to A. P. Booth, 27 Feb 1854 (1 letter)
Folder 11.259 to Gov. Seymour (New York), 27 Mar 1854 (1 letter)
Folder 11.260 to Hon. J. E. Allen, 28 Feb 1855 (1 letter)
Folder 11.261 to Deacon William Colgate, 29 Mar 1856 (1 letter, seal, and transcript)
Folder 11.262 to Maria Booth, 1 Dec 1856 (1 letter)**
Folder 11.263 to Dr. Benj. Fowler, 1857? (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 11.264 to Oliver, 12 Jul 1858 (1 letter)**
Folder 11.265 to A. R. Booth, 16 Apr 1860 (1 letter)**
Folder 11.266 to whom it may concern, 11 Jun 1860 (1 letter)
Folder 11.267 to Dear Nephew, 24 Jun 1861 (1 letter)**
Folder 11.268 to Samuel Butler, 2 Jun 1863 (1 letter)
Box 41 to Charles Vassar, 16 Nov 1866 (1 letter)
Folder 11.269 to VanValkenburgh and Brown, 23 Jan 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 11.270 to C. G. S. Tooker, 20 Aug 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 11.271 to I. W. Dean, 20 Aug 1867 (1 letter)
Folder 11.272 to Robert E. Gray, 6 Jan 1868 (1 letter, inscription, and transcript)
Folder 11.273 to Richard P. Morgan, 3 Feb 1868 (1 letter and envelope)
Folder 11.274 to [Maria Louise Booth], 28 May 1868 (1 letter)**
Folder 11.275 to F. W. Davis, 11 Jun 1868 (1 letter)
Folder 11.276 to Geo H Carlies, n.d. (1 letter)
Folder 11.277 to Mrs. Bishop, n.d. (1 letter)
Folder 11.278 to James Vassar, 4 Apr ? (1 letter)**
Folder 9.279 Communications RE: Baptist Church, 1842 (3 items)
Folder 9.280 Communications RE: Baptist Church, 1843 (3 items)
Folder 9.281 Communications RE: Baptist Church, July 1844 (13 items)
Folder 9.282 Communications RE: Baptist Church, Aug - Sep 1844 (7 items)
Folder 9.283 Communications RE: Baptist Church, Dec 1844 (4 items)
Folder 9.284 Defense in response to meeting of 9 Dec 1844, 1844 (1 item)
Folder 9.285 Communications RE: Baptist Church, 1845 (3 items)
Folder 9.286 Affadavits RE: VanLoon/Baptist Church, Mar 1845 (10 items)
Folder 9.287 Correspondence with General James Tallmadge, RE: Baptist Church, Feb 1845, Feb 1846 (4 letters and draft)
Folder 9.288 Letters to newspapers (mss), 1844 - 1845 (7 items)
Folder 9.289 Advocate; clippings RE: Baptist Church, Jul - Sep (?) 1845 (2 items)
Folder 9.290 Poughkeepsie Journal and Eagle; clippings RE: Baptist Church, Feb - May 1845 (11 items)
Folder 25.291 The Safeguard; clippings and issues RE: Baptist Church, Dec 1844 - Feb 1845 (8 items)
Folder 9.292 Memoranda; RE: Baptist Church Affairs, 18