George N. Smith

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Description

In his annual report to William A. Richmond, Acting Superintendent [of] Indian Affairs, Rev. George N. Smith reported that the Dutch colony was afflicted with small pox. "The colony now numbers about 1,500; what its influence will be on our mission the future must determine; we hope it may be good eventually, but the Indians were not prepared to defend their fields against the large numbers of cattle and hogs the Dutch are bringing in, especially as they have to be absent, and cannot watch them. Considerable damage is already done, but the farmer [Isaac Fairbanks/ is making vigorous efforts to secure them."

Date

8-31-1847

City

Old Wing Mission, Holland, MI

Notes

Description of the document and reference to the Grand Rapids Public Library by Dr. Elton J. Bruins.

About the collection:

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.

Source

Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives, Grand Rapids, MI.

Rights

This digitized material is intended for personal research/study only. The original documents may not be reproduced for commercial use in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives.

Letter from George N. Smith to William A. Richard

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