“...an ancient French family, traced back, it is claimed, to the eleventh century, of the house Du Vassall, Barons de Guerden, in Querci, Perigord.”149

“Vassall of Rinart by Cane, Normandy”144

“From the ancient house of De Vassall, Barons de Gourdon in Querci Perigord.” Also a Huguenot.139

Coat of arms: A sun over a chalice. Crest: A ship with masts and shrouds ppr. Motto: Saepe pro rege, semper pro republica.147

“The Vassall family has ever been distinguished for enterprise, magnanimity, and noble bearing. If some of this name were not only often, but always, for their king it must be admitted that they made as great sacrifices to loyalty as did their forefathers to liberty." The Vassals were connected by marriage and business dealings with the Olivers and Royalls. All three families had acquired great wealth in the West Indies, and although they lost their great possessions in New England, by the Confiscation Act, yet they were much better situated than their fellow sufferers as they retained their West Indian estates till they, too, became worthless, after the emancipation of the slaves.”139

The heraldic emblems of the family name are the Vase (or goblet) and the Sun (“VAS-SOL”)139

“The Vassalls were an ancient Catholic family of Normandy, which included two cardinals and a marshal of France; But Jean Vassall became a Huguenot and fled to England a few years before the massacre of St. Bartholomew [Note: Others note “John” was sent to England by his father to escape the worsening persecution. - CM]. They were of the Episcopalian faith and supports of the revolution against the authority of King Charles.

Most of the Vassals were loyal to the British crown during the American Revolution. In consequence the entire family was exiled and their estates confiscated. After their return to England in 1776 members of the family distinguished themselves in the British army and navy.

The seven Mansions still standing (in 1917) in Brattle street, Cambridge, Mass. known as "Tory Row," which included the home of Longfellow and "Elmwood" the birthplace of James Russell Lowell, were in 1774 the homes of the Vassall family.”148