Elton J. Bruins, long-time professor in the Department of Religion at Hope College, spent years collecting documents by and about Albertus C. Van Raalte, founder of Holland, Michigan and early patron of Hope College. Documents were gathered from dozens of public and private collections, making a nearly exhaustive collection of Van Raalte's writings and reflections. It is these documents that make up the "Van Raalte Papers."
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Examination of a Title of Land Purchased by Joseph Olagamake
Fillmore Township
An examination of title of land purchased by Joseph Olagamake on this date in section four of Fillmore township. Later John R. Kellogg, Paulus den Bleyker, and Isaac Marsilje were owners of the property at various times.
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A. C. Van Raalte's Discharge Certificate
Kingdom of the Netherlands Department of War and Gerrit W. Sheeres
A discharge certificate granted to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte who served as a volunteer rifleman when he was a student at Leiden University. The certificate includes a physical description of Van Raalte.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Henrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte, Elisabeth Dekker, and Nella Kennedy
Albertus C. Van Raalte was happy to hear from Hendrik P. Scholte that Hendrik G. Klijn and Cornelius Vander Meulen were ready for their examinations. Van Raalte received a call from the Rotterdam congregation but does not wish to leave Ommen because of his students. Ds. Budding was around again and reference is made to the controversy over clergy dress. Van Raalte did not want to wear the prescribed dress of Afscheiding ministers, which were too priest-like.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Henrik P. Scholte
A. C, Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte expressing his joy that Scholte's congregation has received recognition by the government while, A.C.V.R. continues to feel like "a hunted partridge in the mountains" (I Samuel 26:20). The Van Raaltes are planning to move to Ommen soon. "Last week I pleaded before the court in Almelo with pleasure and joy."
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
In a very long and detailed letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen, his brother-in-law, A.C.V.R. wrote about the Afscheiding and the church.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen and His Wife
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to brother-in-law C. G. de Moen and his wife, from whom A.C.V.R. had received a letter dated 13 November. A.C.V.R.'s brother is not getting better. No response from the king about recognition for moving into the newly built church. Some problems regarding ordination of two ministerial candidates, and objections by Groninger Classes. A.C.V.R. discontent about brother-in-law Brummelkamp moving to a seceded church in Schiedam. A.C.V.R. also describes his spiritual highs and lows.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte, in reference to Rev. Budding. Apparently, Scholte and Budding settled some problem which pleased A.C.V.R. very much. Van Raalte has some chest and throat ailments. He has not heard yet from the government regarding recognition from the government which he requested for his congregation. Apparently the congregation will start to build its church very soon.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Henrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
Still no word from the government about the congregation's request for recognition, Albertus C. Van Raalte writes Hendrik P. Scholte. Other congregations in the area are requesting the same privilege. Van Raalte reports also that some congregations have seceded and joined the Kruisgezinden, following the Dort church order rather than Scholte's Utrecht church order. Van Raalte is preparing two students for the ministry. Another student, Hartgerink, has no natural talent, however.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to the Governor of the Province of Overijssel
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A letter by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to "His Excellency the Governor of the Province of Overijssel." A request to the governor of Overijssel whether it would be advisable to send another request to the king (William 1) to grant the free exercise of religion for the Afgescheidenen in Zwolle and Genemuiden. A.C.V.R.'s request is especially apropos, for the church buildings in these towns are almost completed, and he fears that unless free exercise is granted he and his parishioners will experiences clashes with the local government.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte and His Wife to Mrs. Helena Suzanna van Hall
A. C. Van Raalte, C. J. Van Raalte, and Nella Kennedy
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte and his wife, C. J. Van Raalte to Mrs. Helena Suzanna van Hall, widow of Mr. Anne Maurits Cornelis van Hall.
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Letter from Cornelis Vander Meulen to Hendrik P. Scholte
Cornelis vander Meulen and Nella Kennedy
Cornelis Vander Meulen wrote Hendrik P. Scholte about his struggle to make ends meet. Vander Meulen is about to move to Utrecht to begin his theological training with SchoIte.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Christina de Moen Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his wife, Christina de Moen Van Raalte, stating that he had met with the Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte, about the "church situation." "Already I have discussed the church situation with him at great length. I believe this has benefitted me, and in this way our discussion served to revive brotherly love." p. 28. The next day Van Raalte planned to visit Anne Maurits Cornelis Van Hall, the lawyer who served the Separated churches. Van Hall was sick and died August 15, 1838.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Christina de Moen Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of Van Raalte to his wife, written from Utrecht. He reported that bitter feelings are directed against Scholte. Therefore, he visited Scholte: "I believe it to be beneficial to me and in supervision helpful that brotherly love be revived. I fear that the devil quietly among the brothers is the cause of suspicion and distrust, schism and friction.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte, stating that he agrees with the Utrecht Church Order which Scholte produced. The Classis of Ommen has agreed to follow them also. Van Raalte plans to apply for recognition from the King also. The Van Raaltes plan to move to Ommen March 21.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen and His Wife
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
In a letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to C. G. de Moen and his wife, that he was sorry about all the burdens they bore. He had hoped to visit them but no one in the congregations was willing to loan him one due to the poor conditions of the roads.
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Albertus Christiaan Van Raalte and D. A. Budde Pay a Fine
Albertus Christiaan Van Raalte and D. A. Budde pay a fine of 209 guilders and 30 cents.
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The Consistory of the Seceded Congregation Chooses a Trio
J. D. brandt Deacon and Nella Kennedy
The consistory of the Seceded congregation of Amsterdam notifies male members that they have chosen a trio, consisting of Revs. Brummelkamp, Van Raalte and Budding, for a call. Members have to notify the consistory of their choice.
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Synodical Gathering Minutes and Resolutions
H. de Cock, E. Lindeman, and Nella Kennedy
The minutes and resolutions of the synodical gathering at Utrecht are recorded in this hand- written document. Apparently it is the regional or particular synod rather than the general synod because Albertus Van Raalte and Hendrik de Cock are the only two ministers present along with sixteen elders.
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"DE MAATREGELEN TEGEN DE AFGESCHEIDENEN AAN HET STAATSREGT GETOETST" Pamphlet by G. Groen van Prinsterer
G. Groenvan Prinsterer and Nella Kennedy
G. Groen van Prinsterer, DEMAATREGELEN TEGEN DE AFGESCHEIDENEN AAN HET STAATSRE GTGETOETST [The Measures taken against the "Afgescheidenen" tested against constitutional law], Leiden, 1837. 71 pp.
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Will and Testament of Catharina Christian Harking
Signed by the Living Children of Catharina and Albertus
A document which is apparently the last will and testament of Catharina Christian Harking, widow of Albertus van Raalte [Sr.]. The document is signed by the living children of Catharina and Albertus: Petrus Johannes Albertus [b. 1798], Albertus Christiaan, [b. 1811], [?] van der Linde, N. M. A. Van Raalte [b. 1806], C. A. Van Raalte, Johanna Kikkert [?], J. B. van Raalte, and Gerrit J. Harking van Raalte [b. 1818].
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Judicial Actions Against Van Raalte's Followers at Zwolle, the Netherlands.
A. C. van Plettenberg and Henry ten Hoor
Judicial actions against Van Raalte's followers at Zwolle, the Netherlands.
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Letter from G. Groen van Prinsterer to M. J. Koenen
G. Groen van Prinsterer and Nella Kennedy
In this letter, G.Groen van Prinsterer wrote to M. J. Koenen, in which Groen protested the quartering of soldiers in the homes of the Afscheiding people. This action went against article 212 of the constitution.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Christina de Moen Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his wife, Christina de Moen Van Raalte, stating that he got to Hellendoorn and then went on to Rijssen. On Saturday he preached at Enteren. He preached Sunday at a hamlet south of Rijssen. Today, Monday, he left for Deventer. Since she may be writing him, she should address the letter to Egbertus ten Tooren in Ommen who would know where to forward her letter.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Christina de Moen Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his wife, Christina de Moen Van Raalte, saying, "I completed the business in Hellendoorn on Saturday and on Saturday, moreover, I rode to Ommen. I preached in the vicinity of Ommen on Sunday and on Monday. We saw neither the mayor nor the policeman. On Tuesday we walked fifteen minutes farther to a place which is under the authority of another mayor. We did this because the authorities in Ommen were looking for us, and thus they searched for us in vain." p. 25. He then went on to Stegeren for a Classis meeting "because some seeds of dissension had been sown in the congregations as a result of which some people were led astray in part due to ignorance,...", p. 25 He then says to Christina he understands why things like this"often weight heavily upon you." He is traveling all week but hopes to be home by Friday. He traveled by horse and buggy but had to leave the buggy behind due to the high waters of the river Vegt.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte
A. C. Van Raalte and Elisabeth Dekker
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte, in which A.C.V.R. informs Scholte that there are now 21 congregations in Overijssel. He was sorry that Mrs. Scholte had a difficult delivery. Van Raalte has been suffering from rheumatic pains.
