The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-31
THE VASSAR WILL.
History of the Casc-A Further Hearing
in the Matter Next Saturday.

in tho Matter Next Saturday.
PoUGHKEEPsIE. March 80, 1873
The contest in the Surrogate's Court in this city,
in the matter of the Vassar will case Is attracting
attention everywhere in consequence Of singular
character and because of its immediate connection
with the name of Matthew vassar, Sr.. deceased.
the founder OF vassar College. In order that the
case may be fully understood it is necessary
TO give hitherto unpublished details. At
the Vassar Brewery, in Poughkeepsie in
the year 1850, the Old firm dissolved
and new copartnership was formed,
In which Oliver Ii. Booth, James vassar, deceased,
Alfred X. BOOTH and James v. Harbottle were ad-
mitted into the firm with an equal interest. Each
new partner was permitted to draw from the con.
Germ $1,000 per year. All over and above that
amount of each one's share of the profits was to
be applied to the debt thus assumed Dy the new
members OF the firm. After the article OF Copart-
nership had been drawn up James vassar objected
TO entering into the new arrangement upon An
equal footing with the younger members, assign
Ing as u reason that as he was thorough
mad done for years, the entire responsibility
OF the brewing and mating mis- services were
proposed new members. Thus matters stood for
lew days, when the difficulty was finally 0bviated
by Matthew Vassar, Sr. who agreed TO pay to his
brother, James VaSSar, a "DOnu5" OF B., 900 per
year Tor his extra services as head bre " CT and
malster the said bonus TO ne charged to his Mat
thew VasSar Sr.'s) account, and with this under
standing and upon these conditions James Vassar
entered into the new firm. The first year James
Vassar drew from the concern $1,000, 1000 Of
which was charged as by above agreement to the
account Of Matthew Vassar, ST. the second year
James Vassar drew only 5000 OF the $1,000 bonus.
This also was charged to Matthew VaSSar'S ac-
count leaving balance OF $500 still due James.
The third year he again drew the sum OF only 5000
from the 'bonus" leaving a total OF $500 due him
upon the two years services. Just alter the ex-
plration OF the third year James Vassar died, and
Matthew Vassar, ST., instead of passing to the
heirs OF James Vassar the balance OF $500 due them
for the extra services OF their father during the
last two years, reversed the whole affair, and
charged to the estate OF James VaSSar $1,000 he
(Matthew Vassar) had paid to James. and Matthew.
being one OF the executors OF ms brother JamcS'
Will, found no difficulty In getting the Claim salts
fed. Now, this suit has been brought by the heirs OIL
James Vassar against his executors Tor the whole
amount OF 81. O00 together with interest since
September, 1858, and James Vassar's executors in
turn the executors OF the late Matthew VasSar,
ST., for this amount claimed by the heirs. In tho
Surrogate Court week ago the only witness for
the defence who could be brought forward was
Matthew Vassar, Jr., the present Treasurer Of
Vassar College, who testified to having heard u
conversation twenty-three years ago between
James and Matthew Vassar ST.. in reference to tho
agreement referred to above, in which James agreed
TO pay back to Matthew The "b0nli5" spoken Of
or whatever part thereof he might draw at the cx-
pirat0n OF the cOpartnership agreement, thus vir.
tually rendering the extra services referred to FOE
nothing.
The case was to have been heard before Surro-
gate DOrland again yesterday, but other parties
occupied the attention OF the Court all day, and te
has therefore been put down for Saturday next.
testimony OF Matthew Vassar, Jr is not yet known.
One thing is pOsitive-the sympathies of.thOse who
know Of the case are with the heirs Of James Vas
sar. The fullest ventilation Is to be given to the
be given In evidence which Will reflect strongly
upOu certain parties