Originally named "Vasseur", the family was descended from French Huguenots who arrived in England in the mid-eighteenth century. Thomas's family were Baptists, and he and his younger brother James (father of noted brewer and philanthropist Matthew Vassar) emigrated to the United States in 1796.
The Vasseur family was initially known as "Vasseur", and it originated from French Huguenots who arrived in England during the mid-eighteenth century. Thomas's family were Baptists, and he and his brother James (father of Matthew Vassar) emigrated to the United States in 1796.