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.
-
Meeting Minutes of the Ommen Congregation
Albertus C. Van Raalte, Ralph Vunderink, and Nella Kennedy
Minutes of a meeting of the Ommen congregation or consistory, chaired by Ds. Albertus C. Van Raalte.
-
Pamphlet Written by Rev. Simon van Velzen
Simon van Velzen and Nella Kennedy
A pamphlet by the Rev. Simon van Velzen, entitled, Stemmen eens Wachters of Sions Muren, tweede druk, published in Leeuwarden by G. H. Swartte van Loon, 1836, 59 pp. He mentions Anthony Brummelkamp and Albertus C. Van Raalte in the text.
-
Letter from A. S. Van Voss de Moen to G. C. de Moen
A. S. Van Voss de Moen and Nella Kennedy
This letter is from A. S. van Vos[s] de Moen to her husband G. C. de Moen, with many references to the Van Raalte, van Velzen and Brummelkamp families. There is a reference to the Van Raalte's baby about to be born and the upcoming sentencing of Van Raalte in Arnhem.
-
The Testament or Will of Albertus C. Van Raalte
Abraham Zubli and Henry ten Hoor
The testament or will of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, made at the time of his marriage to Christina de Moen, was made in the presence of four witnesses at Keizersgracht, Amsterdam. His wife, at his death, would inherit all his worldly goods.
-
Report on the Proponent Examination of A. C. Van Raalte
A report on the proponent examination of Albertus C. Van Raalte with a transcription of the Dutch manuscript by Dr. J. Vree, Weesp, the Netherlands.
-
Van Raalte's Exemption from the Military
Governor of the Province of North Brabant and Cornelia Kennedy
The governor of the Province of North Brabant declared that Albertus C. Van Raalte who had been registered in the town of Fijnaart for the National Militia was exempted from military service because he was a pastor.
-
An Abstract of James Hutchins Title for 39 Acres
Holland Township Government
An abstract of title for 39 acres in section 34, Holland Township, which was purchased by James Hutchins from the United States government on this date. John H. Ostrom, William R. Palmer and Thomas R. Walker purchased the land March 26, 1836. Courtland Palmer, Jr. purchased the land January 2, 1869, from Courtland Palmer. The names of John R. Kellogg and the Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen also appear on the document.
-
Acts of the Provincial Church Board at the Examination of Candidate A. C. Van Raalte.
A. C. Van Raalte, Harry Boonstra, and Nella Kennedy
Acts of the Provincial church Board at the Examination of Candidate A.C. Van Raalte. Originally published in the magazine De Reformatie.
-
A. C. Van Raalte's Request to Reconsider the Church Administration's Rejection
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
A request of Albertus C. Van Raalte to the provincial church administration of the Reformed Church in South Holland to reconsider their rejection of him as a candidate for the ministry.
-
Book Chapter on Van Raalte's Request to be Considered for the Ministry in the Reformed Church
J. Verhagen and Simone Kennedy
A narrative by J. Verhagen in his book, The History of the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk in the Netherlands, 2nd ed., Kampen: G. Ph. Zalsman, 1886. chapter six, "Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte," in which he explains the request of Van Raalte to be considered for the ministry in the Reformed Church, pp. 230-39.
-
Attestation of the Hervormde Kerk Church Council of Leiden for A. C. Van Raalte
Nanning Werkhout, Hervormde Gemeente, and Simone Kennedy
A document which reads: "Albertus Christianus van Raalte, Candidate in theology, has been a member of the Hervormde Kerk for more than two years, and, as far as we know, has been without blemish in beliefs and lifestyle. He requested this attestation to help him before the Church Administration of the Province of __________. We beseech you to recognize our brother as such, and help him in his Christian journey. Leiden, 17 January 1835. In name of the Church Council of the Hervormde Church, Nanning Berkhout.
-
Document on Albertus C. Van Raalte as a Theological Student
J. Clarisse, N. J. Kist, and W. A. Van Hengel
A document, in Latin, relating to A. C. Van Raalte as a theological student. It relates the courses he has taken at Leiden University. See Hyma's biography on Van Raalte, pp. 29-31, for comment. Signed by J. Clarisse, N. J. Kist, and W. A. Van Hengel.
-
The Act of Secession of the Consistory of Ulrum
Signed by the Consistory and Congregation in Ulrum and Cornelia Kennedy
The act of secession of the consistory of Ulrum, the Netherlands: copy of the handwritten document, a printed version, the signatories to the act, and a translation of the act of secession. The title of the document is Aktevan Afscheiding van het Nederlandsch Hervormd Kerkgenootschap den 14 en October 1834 te Ulrum geteekend benevens de notulen van de Eerste Kerkeraadsvergadering der Afgescheidenen. A beautifully handwritten document which serves as a cover page is signed by H(ellenius) de Cock, Kampen, April 1868. The English document is a report by alderman of Ulnun, T.K. Loots, dated October 17. The reports give considerable detail about the participation of the Rev. Hendrik Scholte in this occasion.
-
Document of Requirements to Become a Preacher
The General Synod of the Reformed Church in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Cornelia Kennedy
A copy of the Synodale Verordeningen omtrent het Prediken van Studenten, a document concerning the requirements the students at Leiden must adhere to before they are allowed to preach in congregations of the Hervormde Kerk.
-
Document on Albertus C. Van Raalte as a Theological Student
W. A. Van Hengel and Cornelia Kennedy
A document relating to A. C. Van Raalte as a theological student. W. A. Van Hengel was one of the signers.
-
A. C. Van Raalte's History of 1834
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Cornelia Kennedy
At a later time in his life, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte wrote a history of pre-Secession of 1834 period. There is no indication in the document regarding the date he produced this manuscript. His account contains a considerable amount of personal history as he remembered it at a later date.
-
Letters Pertaining to the Death of Albertus C. Van Raalte (The Father)
Heer Abtskerke, M. Stivense, Gerrit W. Sheeres, and Nella Kennedy
The death of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, son of Pieter Van Raalte and Nisana Ebbingh and father of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, founder of Holland, Michigan, occurred on this date. An extract of this information was made 2 December 1836.
-
Leiden University Document Attesting the Study of Arabic and Aramaic and the Philologico-Critical Work in Jeremiah
J. A. Hamaker and E. William Kennedy
A document attesting the study of Albertus C. Van Raalte in the field of Arabic and Aramaic and the philologico-critical work in Jeremiah.
-
Leiden University Document Attesting the Study of Philosophy
J. Nieuwenhuis and E. William Kennedy
A document attesting the study of Albertus C. Van Raalte in the study of philosophy at Leiden University.
-
Exam Report of Theological Students at Leiden University
Theological Faculty of Leiden University and Cornelia Kennedy
A report from the Theological Faculty of the University of Leiden concerning the exams of theological students during the 1833-34 academic year. Some twenty plus students are listed in the margin of the second page of the document including the name of Albertus C. Van Raalte.
-
Leiden University Document Attesting the Study of Philosophy and Criticism
J. H. van der Palm and E. William Kennedy
A document attesting the study of Albertus C. Van Raalte in the field of philosophy and criticism at Leiden University.
-
Public Notice in Leiden of Available Treatement of Cholera
J. G. De Mey, P. A. Du Pui, and Cornelia B. Kennedy
A public notice of the treatment available to patients recently arisen in the city of Leiden. The notice explains where a person can be helped both day and night. The epidemic is declared a terrible disaster. The chlorea epidemic made an impact on Albertus C. Van Raalte in that he began to take the Christian faith seriously.
-
Letter on Cholera by the Mayor and Council Persons
Mayor and Councilmen of the Town of Leyden and Cornelia B. Kennedy
A letter of the mayor and council persons of Leiden concerning the organization of local medical personal to deal medically with cholera outbreaks.
-
Official Record of Death of Johanna Maria Wilhelmina Menzel
Government of Leyden, South Holland; P. G. van Hoorn; and Nella Kennedy
The death of Johanna Maria Wilhelmina Menzel, widow of Benjamin de Moen and mother of Christina de Moen [Van Raalte] occurred on this date according to the records of the town of Leyden, South Holland, the Netherlands.
-
Leiden University Document Attesting the Study of Theoretical Philosophy and Humane Letters
E. William Kennedy
A document attesting that the studies of Albertus C. Van Raalte in the fields of theoretical philosophy and humane letters qualify him for the study of theology at Leiden University.
