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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Report in the Grand River Eagle Which Was Originally Published in the Tribune?
A report in the Grand River Eagle, p. 2, on the "Holland Colony in Western Michigan, &c. Kalamazoo, Mich. Aug. 31, 1849" and first printed in the Tribune [?]. The person who is unnamed made a visit to the Colony. The Hollanders now outnumber the Americans in both Ottawa and Allegan counties. The state just donated 3,000 acres to make roads and 4,000 for a pier. The city is "under the superintendenc of Dominie Van Raalte, (the principal man of the colony,) containing 235 houses." "These Hollanders are very prayerful people, and carry their devotions to the bees or meetings for common work." "What a noble and self-sacrificing spirit do these persecuted emigrants display! How similar to the Puritan settlers of New England. Driven from Holland for his religious principles, but a few years since, with only a few followers, we now, find Van Raalte at the head of a mighty and flourishing colony, destined to be a great emporium for Lake traffic." The author also mentions the Alto colony under Dominie Baay near Waupun, Wisconsin. "There were a few cases of Cholera among the emigrants this season, but it has now entirely disappeared." Rev. Klijn's arrival is also mentioned.
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Report on the Holland Colony in the Grand River Eagle
A report on the Holland Colony in the Grand River Eagle, p. 2, in general terms, including comments such as the colonists appear to uphold the principle of temperance, came to this country to escape religious persecution, and are an enterprising, moral, and industrious people. No one expresses an interest in returning to Holland.
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Report on the Holland Colony in the Grand River Eagle
A report on the Holland Colony in the Grand River Eagle, p. 2, by a traveler who recently visited the settlement of the Hollanders. Although there are many log buildings, many frame buildings in American style have been erected. The settlers are learning the American style of cutting down trees. The writer gives an extensive description of the windmill which the person considers a "curiosity." A steam mill under construction will be much better because it does not have to depend upon the wind. "These Hollanders are, on the whole, the most valuable body of settlers that have arrived from any foreign country for many years." Zeeland has no liquor sold in the community at all. The Hollanders are compared to the Pilgrim settlers who came to America earlier. The Hollanders have come "for the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty."
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A Deed for Tax Delinquent Properties, Purchased by A. C. V. R. on Oct. 4, 1847
John J. Adam
A deed for tax delinquent properties, purchased by A.C.V.R. on October 4, 1847. There were about 20 parcels of lands in this purchase of $28.59. On the back of the deed, A.C.V.R. noted that Jan Trimpe and Hendrik Zuidweg purchased some of these parcels in the 1850s.
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A Deed for Tax Delinquent Properties, Purchased by A. C. V. R. on October 4, 1847
John J. Adam
A deed for tax delinquent properties, purchased by A.C.V.R. on October 4, 1847. In the annotations made by A.C.V.R. on the back of the deed, there were 17 pieces of property, amounting to 1,017 acres [if I could read his figures correctly] for which he paid $35.18. [In the description, I noted that the acreage amounted to c. 866.]
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Letter from John J. Adam to A. C. Van Raalte
John J. Adam
A letter to A.C.V.R, from John J. Adam, Auditor General, Lansing, Michigan, who notified A.C.V.R. that the purchase of a piece of property by A.C.V.R. was invalid. If he presented the certificate of purchase to the state, A.C.V.R. would have his money refunded.
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Letter from Gerrit Baay to His Friends in the Netherlands
Gerrit Baay
The letter of Rev. Gerrit Baay to his friends in the Netherlands, reporting on the family's trip to America and settlement in Wisconsin at Alto. The letter was published originally in "DeToestand der Hollandsche Kolonisatiein den Staat Michigan, Noord Amerikain het Begin van het Jaar 1849," (Amsterdam, 1849), pp. 29-39.
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Letter from Seine Bolks to Karel de Moen
Seine Bolks and Johannes W. Visscher
A letter of the Rev. Seine Bolks to the Rev. Karel de Moen, explaining why he and his people decided to settle in the Holland Colony. His letter is not as extensive as Vander Meulen's and Van Raalte's, but is important nevertheless.
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A Bill from Mr. W. Brouwer, a Tailor, for Rev. and Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte in the Amount of $24.60.
W. Brouwer and Henry ten Hoor
This document is a bill from Mr. W. Brouwer, a tailor, for Rev. and Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte in the amount of $24.60. The tailor used stationery which he had used in his business in Arnhem, the Netherlands, when he was a "kleedermaker" there.
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Partial Xeroxed Copy of Der Toestand Der Hollandsche Kolonisten In Den Staatmichigan, Noord Amerika Drie Brieven Aan C. G. de Moen Door A. C. Van Raalte, C. Vander Meulen, En S. Bolks
C. G. de Moen, A. C. Van Raalte, C. Vander Meulen, S. Bolks, E. R. Post, and D. F. Van Vliet
A partial xeroxed copy of DE TOESTAND DER HOLLANDSCHE KOLONISATIE in den Staat Michigan, Noord-Amerika, in het begin van het jaar 1849. Medegedeeld in drie Brieven van de WelEew. Heeren A. C. VAN RAALTE, C. VAN DER MEULEN, en S. BOLKS, aan C. G. DE MOEN Herder en Leeraar der Christ. Afgesch. Gemeente in den Ham (Prov. Overijssel). Met twee Kaarten, Waar achter volgt: EEN BRIEF van den WelEerw. Heer G. Baay uit Alto, Staat Wisconsin, aan zijne Vrienden in Nederland. Amsterdam: Hoogkamer & Compe. 1849. 44 pages
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Letter from Thomas De Witt to Albertus C. Van Raalte
Thomas De Witt
A letter from Rev. Thomas De Witt to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte concerning a financial matter. The handwriting is difficult to decipher. Albert Hyma gives a full transcription of the letter on page 206 of his Van Raalte biography.
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Letter of Thomas De Witt to Albertus C. Van Raalte
Thomas De Witt
A letter of the Rev. Thomas De Witt, New York City, to A.C.V.R. regarding a draft of $321.99 for a property transaction.
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Letter from John Garretson to "The Brethren in Christ of the Classis of Holland"
John Garretson
A letter of the Rev. John Garretson, Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Domestic Mission, RCA, "To the Brethren in Christ of the Classis of Holland, Michigan," in which Garretson sends $250 for distribution as the Classis see fit. He adds: ...let me assure you that the Board will always most readily do what they can to extend to you a helping hand, and they cordially sumpathize with you and pray for you. The Board is sending these funds after hearing from the Rev. Isaac N. Wyckoff who visited the Holland Colony in June.
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"Village Holland Dagboek Twede Stuk Van December 1849—",
Holland Village, Albertus C. Van Raalte, and Henry ten Hoor
"Village Holland Dagboek Twede Stuk Van December 1849—", a record of property transactions in the village of Holland, beginning December 1 and continuing to December 1851. The entire document is in Albertus C. Van Raalte's handwriting. This is a valuable record of early Holland , Michigan. Many early settlers are mentioned such as Rev.Hendrik G. Kleijn, Bernard Grootenhuis, Pieter Phanstiehl, a Doesburg, Pieter Vanden Berg, L. Schaddelee, Jan Binnenkant, and many others. Apparently the Rev. Isaac N. Wyckoff loaned the village $1,000.
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The Personal Account of Rev. and Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte Which the Family Had at Plugger's Store
Plugger's Store and Henry ten Hoor
This document is the personal account of Rev. and Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte which the family had at Plugger's Store. The store apparently carried a wide variety of goods because not only food purchases were made here but also dry goods and hardware. The account gives a full picture of what the Van Raaltes needed for the running of their household. The document is nine pages in length. The total bill was for $158.19 on which the Van Raaltes had paid $63.50.
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Van Raalte's Account with the Plugger Store
Pluggers and Henry ten Hoor
During this period of time, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had a charge account at Plugger's Store in the Village of Holland. The four pages in translation indicate a wide variety of items purchased by the Van Raaltes for their family needs. The items fall mainly in the line of foodstuffs and hardware as well as dry goods. The list gives a good picture of what the Van Raaltes needed for their use.
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A Warranty Deed of Property Belonging to Albert Klijs and Wife Geesije Klomp to A. C. V. R.
H. D. Post
A warranty deed of property belonging to Albert Klijs and wife Geesije Klomp to A.C.V.R. The deed gives the description of the location of the property but no acreage is mentioned. The sale was for $10.00. H. D. Post was one of the witnesses of the transaction.
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Legal Document Acknowledged That A. C. Van Raalte Executed a Mortgage
Henry D. Post
Henry D. Post, Justice of the Peace, in a legal document, acknowledged that Albertus C. Van Raalte executed a mortgage. Isaac N. Wyckoff, on 24 September 1853, acknowledged payment of the mortgage. According to Albert Hyma, page 148, on which a photostatic copy of the item is shown, this was repayment to Wyckoff's church of $1,000.
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Request from Jan Slag to the Trustees of the Village of Holland
Jan Slag and Henry ten Hoor
Jan Slag made a request to the trustees of the village of Holland to obtain a piece of land on which he would build a shipyard. The tract of land is described in the document. The trustees of the village are Van der Sling [?], J. A. Verhorst, J. Binnenkant, A. C. Van Raalte, J. Schrader, and B. Grootenhuis.
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"Report of the Synod of the Christian Separatist Reformed Church of the Netherlands Held from the 11th to the 18th of July 1849 in Amsterdam"
Henry ten Hoor
"Report of the Synod of the Christian Separatist Reformed Church of the Netherlands held from the 11th to the 18th of July 1849 in Amsterdam," published by Hoogkamer & Comp. The Dutch title is "Verslag van de Synodeder Christelijk Afgescheidene Gereformeerde Kerkin Nederland, gehouden van den 11 tot den 18 Julij 1849 te Amsterdam." 65 pp.
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Letter from Cornelius Vander Meulen to Karl de Moen
Cornelius Vander Meulen and Johannes W. Visscher
A letter from the Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen to the Rev. Karel de Moen, giving a full report of the Zeeland settlement.
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A List of Properties on Which A. C. V. R. Paid Taxes for That Year
A. C. Van Raalte
A list of properties on which A.C.V.R. paid taxes for that year. The list includes the "Village [of] Holland- which may indicate that A.C.V.R. already owned the village properties by that year.
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A Rough Draft of the Document for the Incorporation of the First Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan
A. C. Van Raalte
A rough draft of the document for the incorporation of the First Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan. It appears to be in A.C.V.R.'s handwriting and is in English.
