Benjamin Bussey

Benjamin Bussey (1759-1842) created an endowment at Harvard for the establishment of an undergraduate school of agriculture and horticulture to be called the Bussey Institution. Also included in his 1835 will was the grant of his estate “Woodland Hill” in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts to the President and Fellows of Harvard College which would be the site of the school. One of the provisions of the will allowed Bussey’s granddaughter, Mrs. Maria Bussey Motley, a life tenancy on the property. Benjamin Bussey created an endowment at Harvard for the establishment of an undergraduate school of agriculture and horticulture to be called the Bussey Institution. Also included in his 1835 will was the grant of his estate “Woodland Hill” in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts to the President and Fellows of Harvard College which would be the site of the school. One of the provisions of the will allowed Bussey’s granddaughter, Mrs. Maria Bussey Motley, a life tenancy on the property. 

More information on Bussey can be found in the archives at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University (from which this summary was excerpted.)