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."
Digitizing the Van Raalte papers was supported by the Dutch Culture USA program by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York. The project was done in partnership with Heritage Hall at Calvin University, which also digitized its Van Raalte collections.
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Letter from the Governor of Overijssel Province to the Mayor of Ommen
Governor of Overijssel Province and Nella Kennedy
The Governor of Overijssel Province wrote the Mayor of Ommen that he heard that the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had been released. His arrest had not been based on legal grounds although Van Raalte was thought to have been imprudent. The Governor is sending a detachment of fifty military men with their officers who will be billeted in Ommen homes "without distinguishing religious affiliation."
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Examination of Land Title of John R. Kellogg
Holland Township Government
An examination of a title of land in section 36 of Holland township. John R. Kellogg purchased the land from the United States on this date. Other names which appear on this document are A. Plugger, Hendrik Huisken, Edward J. Harrington, and Isaac Marsilje.
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Confirmation by Mayor of Van Raalte's Birth and Baptism
T. H. Kaampff and Nella Kennedy
The mayor of Wanneperveen confirmed on this date that Albertus Christiaan Van Raalte was born 17 October 1811 and baptized 3 November 1811. The parents were Albertus Van Raalte and Catharina Christina Harking.
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Permission to Marry - Mrs. Catharina Christina Harking Van Raalte to Her Son Albertus C. Van Raalte
Pieter Lijndrajer, Junior Notary Public, and Nella Kennedy
Mrs. Catharina Christina Harking Van Raalte gave permission to her son, Albertus C. Van Raalte, to marry Christina Johanna de Moen as written in a document issued by a junior notary public in Amsterdam.
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Letter from the Citizens of Ommen to the Governor of Overijssel
G. Nevels, J. Smit, Jan Horstink, E. A. Meyerink, L. Wolkers, H. Van Elburg, M. Weertman, H. Meyerink, E. Woertink, H. Van Elburg, H. Van Der Linde, B. Van Munster, K. Hoek, and K. Hoek
Sixteen citizens of Ommen sent a communication to the Governor of the Province that they saw no need for him to send a military detachment to Ommen now that the disturbances had ended. Besides, a relatively few people were the troublemakers. The billeting of military people will be a great burden to the citizens of Ommen.
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Statement of Ordination of Van Raalte
H. P. Scholte and H. de Cock
A statement by H. P. Scholte, Synod President, and H. de Cock, Synod Secretary, stating that A. C. Van Raalte was examined by the synod and ordained to the ministry. Van Raalte has calls from the congregations of the Gereformeerde Kerk at Gnemuiden and Mastenbroek.
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Communication of the City Council of Ommen to the Governor of Overijssel
H. J. Smit, J.P. J. De Quaij, and Nella Kennedy
"44. Communication of the City Council of Ommen to the Governor of Overijssel,..." Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte arrived in Ommen eight days ago and took up residence with Egbertus ten Tooren, the town baker. "His presence here in town was an offense to those citizens who think otherwise [those in opposition to the Seceders]." Van Raalte was taken into custody and would be transported to Deventer the next day. Troublemaking such as the breaking of windows was attributed to "inebriated wicked boys..."
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Letter from the Governor of Overijssel Province to the Mayor of Ommen
The Governor of Overijssel and Nella Kennedy
The Governor of Overijssel Province wrote the Mayor of Ommen saying that he was told that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was arrested and incarcerated in Ommen as well as receiving the report of the disorder in the town. The Governor ordered the Mayor to make sure that disorder cease and be dealt with and summons given to the perpetrators of the disorder.
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Letter from The Mayor and Councilmen of Ommen to the Governor of the Province
The Mayor and Councilmen of Ommen and Nella Kennedy
The Mayor and Councilmen of Ommen sent a communication to the Governor of the Province saying that those persons who petitioned the Governor not to send a military detachment were without adequate grounds for complaint. Those persons who have ill members of the family will not have to billet soldiers. Those who do are paid thirty five cents a person per day for expenses. The Mayor and Council would like to have the military detachment certainly through 5 December when an annual market is held. "The plenteous use of strong liquor then may give rise to unrest."
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Letter from the Mayor of Ommen to the Governor of the Province
The Mayor of Ommen and Nella Kennedy
In a lengthy letter, the Mayor of Ommen wrote to the Governor of the Province about the situation in Ommen. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had been sent to Deventer by the local Justice of the Peace. Van Raalte had conducted services in a home contrary to the law. The Mayor gave a good description of the dislike that the many people in Ommen had for the Seceders.
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The Banns of Marriage Between Albertus C. Van Raalte and Christina Johanna de Moen
The Town of Hattem Government and Nella Kennedy
The banns of Albertus C. Van Raalte and Christina Johanna de Moen were recorded in the Civil Registry in the town of Hattem.
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The Marriage Banns of Albertus C. Van Raalte and Christina Johanna de Moen
The Town of Hattem Government and Nella Kennedy
The marriage banns of Albertus C. Van Raalte and Christina J. de Moen were announced by a town alderman in Amsterdam. Van Raalte as a divinity candidate is listed as living in Hattem.
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Civil Record of Benjamin de Moen's Burial
P. G. Van Hoorn and Nella Kennedy
The civil records of the town of Leyden confirmed the burial of the corpse of Benjamin de Moen, widower of Maria La Moone, that took place between the 11th and the 18th of February of 1775.
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Civil Record of Maria La Moone's Burial
P. G. Van Hoorn and Nella Kennedy
The civil records of the Town of Leyden confirmed the burial of the corpse of Maria La Moone [sic], wife of Benjamin de Moen, took place between the 9th and the 16th of February 1769.
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Extract of the Birth of Christina Johanna de Moen
P. G. Van Hoorn and Nella Kennedy
An extract from the birth register of the Town of Leyden confirmed the birth date of Christina Johanna de Moen on 30 January 1815.
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Extract of the Death of Benjamin de Moen
P. G. Van Hoorn and Nella Kennedy
An extract from the death register of Leiden in 1824 confirmed the death of Benjamin de Moen, father of Christina de Moen [Van Raalte].
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Legal Document of the Marriage - Wedding Certificate
P. G. Van Hoorn, Simone Kennedy, and Nella Kennedy
A legal document recording the marriage of Albertus Christiaan Van Raalte and Christina Johanna de Moen on this date. V.R. is described as 24 years of age and a candidate in theology, born in Wanneperveen and living in Hattem. Christina is 21 years old, unemployed, born in Leiden and living on the Heerengracht.
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Examination of Albertus Van Raalte by People of the Hervormde Kerk
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
Before Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte entered the pastoral ministry he was first examined by persons in the Hervormde Kerk. This document clearly written at a later time delineates Van Raalte's experiences in his examination. - c. 1862.
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Extract of a Petition to the Mayor of Genemuiden
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
Extract of a petition to the mayor of Genemuiden, the Netherlands, asking permission for the Separatists to hold services four times a day on Sunday. The name of Albertus C. Van Raalte heads the list. The petition is signed by seventy-one men and women. Names of the petitioners include Geesje vander Haar, Abraham Bruins, several van Dijks, Coenraad Barends Bosman, Geertje Kanis, Lucas Brouwer, Jacob vander Sluis, Harm vander Haar and several other vander Haars, and right after Van Raalte's name is that of his wife "C. J. Van Raalte geb: de Moen." The handwriting is not that of A.C.V.R.; yet it is of the quality of his when he writes at his best.
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Lettter to the Governor of the Province of Overijssel
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
This document is a long letter to the governor of the province of Overijssel from Albertus C. Van Raalte, who wrote the document, and signed also by Rijk van der Haar, Wm. van der Haar, Js. Tilder, and Hendrik J. van Rees, notifying the governor that the mayor of Genemuiden is asking for more regulations than what the king's decree of 1836 demands.
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Sermon by Albertus C. Van Raalte
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A sermon written by the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte on Luke 2:1-7. He preached the sermon first at Genemuiden, his pastorate, in 1836; Ommen, 1837; Mastenbroek, 1838; Varssen, 1839; Ommen, 1840, 1841, 1842, and 1843; Arnhem, 1844; Delft, 1845; Holland, Michigan, 1851 and 1852; Alto, Wisconsin, 1854; Holland, 1858; Drenthe, 1859; and Holland, 1860, 1862?, and 1864.
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Sermon by Albertus C. Van Raalte
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A sermon by the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte on II Timothy 2:8, of 8 pages. Unlike many of his other sermons, no dates are given at all when he may have preached this sermon.
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Sermon by Albertus C. Van Raalte
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A sermon written by the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte on Luke 2:8-12. He preached the sermon in Genemuiden, his first pastorate, in 1836; in Ommen, 1837; Mastenbroek, 1838; Varsen, 1839; Ommen, 1840, 1841, and 1842; Velp, 1844; and Holland, Michigan, 1852, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1864 and 1868.
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Sermon by Albertus C. Van Raalte
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
A sermon written by the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte on Luke 2:8-12. He preached the sermon in Genemuiden, his first pastorate, in 1836; in Ommen, 1837; Mastenbroek, 1838; Varsen, 1839; Ommen, 1840, 1841, and 1842; Velp, 1844; and Holland, Michigan, 1852, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1864 and 1868.
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Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to Christina de Moen Van Raalte
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Leonard Sweetman
A letter of Ds. Albertus C. Van Raalte, to his wife, Christina de Moen Van Raalte. A.C.V.R. discusses a case involving the lawyer, A. M. C. Van Hall who was very sympathetic to the cause of the Afscheiding.
