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 G. Groen van Prinsterer to H. J. Koenen
G. Groen van Prinsterer and Nella Kennedy
A letter of G. Groen van Prinsterer to H. J. Koenen stating that a school for higher learning is possible if the need is keenly felt.
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Letter from Groen van Prinsterer to J. T. Bodel Nijenhuis
Groen van Prinsterer and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Groen van Prinsterer to J. T. Bodel Nijenhuis in regard to getting recognition for the Christian schools, a cause important to the Afscheiding people.
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Letter from George N. Smith to Robert Stuart
George N. Smith
In a letter to Robert Stuart, Acting Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Rev. George N. Smith reported that Mary Ann Willard who interpreted for Smith for the past three years has gone to the Grand Haven area. "The progress of the Indians the past year has, in respect to civilization, been indeed flattering; in their general manners and moral conduct, they have made great advances." Several Indians are developing farms nicely. Two log houses have been built. The children are in school until maple sugaring time. Of the 30 scholars, ages range from four to thirty.
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A Letter of the Classis of Amsterdam to the Committee of the Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church.
The Classis of Amsterdam
A letter of the Classis of Amsterdam to the Committee of the Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church. A friendly exchange of greetings possibly encouraged by the Rev. Dr. Thomas De Witt of New York who is mentioned in the body of the letter as well as John Romeyn Brodhead who had searched for colonial documents in the Netherlands and which he published. Two quotes: "In consequence of the revolution of 1795, our church ceased to be the ruling church, and over other church organization favored with exclusive priviliges." (p. 520); and a comment on the Afgescheidenen,"On the other hand, there are a number acting rashly, and without consideration have inclined to separation, and promoted the same, so that in several places separate churches have been formed, and are acknowledged by the government." (p. 521).
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Excerpt of a Letter from A. J. Van Beeck Calkoen to G. Groen van Prinsterer
A. J. Van Beeck Calkoen
An excerpt of a letter of A. J. Van Beeck Calkoen to G. Groen van Prinsterer about the need for special schools so that religious instruction can be given.
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Letter from Rev. Cornelis Vander Meulen to Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte
Cornelius Vander Meulen and Nella Kennedy
In this letter of Rev. Cornelis Vander Meulen to Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte, the writer of the letter is expressing his sympathy to SchoIte in the loss of his dear wife. His wife was Sara Maria Brandt who died on 23 January 1844.
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Document Questioning the Establishment of a Christian Elementary School by the Ommen Petitioners
H van de Wijn and Nella Kennedy
The school supervisor of the 5th district, H. van de Wijn, wrote a lengthy document in which he questions the wisdom of permitting the Ommen petitioners to establish a Christian elementary school in Ommen.
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Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to Hendrik P. Scholte
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Elisabeth Dekker
Albertus C. Van Raalte sends his sincerest sympathy to Hendrik P. Scholte whose wife, Sara Maria Brandt, died on January 23.
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Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to Cornelius Vander Meulen
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
In a letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen, he inquired about matters concerning the provincial synod meeting such as the up-coming Thanksgiving and Fast Day.
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Petition to the City Council of Ommen
Albertus C. Van Raalte, E. ten Hoor, E. Ravenshort, J. Bosch, B. Hoek, J. Konijnenbelt, and Nella Kennedy
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, E. Ten Toorn, E. Ravenshort, J. Bosch, B. Hoek, and J. Konijnenbelt presented a petition to the City Council of Ommen to request permission to establish a Christian elementary school. The petitioners and other persons will provide the support of the school. The petitioners cite the regulation of April 3, 1806 for the right of establishing such a school. At the conclusion of the document, the date of October 21, 1845 is given. This is a key document in the history of the Christian school movement. The name of Rev. J. W. te Bokkel is one of the signers associated with the 1845 date.
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Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to Mr. J. P. Oggel
Albertus C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte addressed a letter to Mr. J. P. Oggel, of Axel, Zeeland, expressing his satisfaction that his son, Pieter J. Oggel, has come to Ommen to enroll in Van Raalte's school for students interested in the ministry. Pieter Oggel later comes to America and also marries a daughter of the Van Raalte.
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Letter from Isaac Ferris to Groen van Prinsterer
Isaac Ferris
A letter of Isaac Ferris to Groen van Prinsterer in which Ferris sends an honorary degree conferred by Rutgers College on Groen. Groen is commended for attempting to restore faith to the Hervormde Kerk. Ferris also expresses the wish that "We are anxious - - that the Government for the Colonies should grant us the facilities we desire in carrying on the good work of missions."
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Letter from Osman D. Goodrich to Robert Stuart
Osman D. Goodrich
Ina letter of Osman D. Goodrich to Robert Stuart, Acting Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Goodrich reported that 24 Native American scholars were now in the school conducted by Rev. George N. Smith.
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Letter from Rev. George N. Smith to Robert Stuart
George N. Smith
In a published letter to Robert Stuart, Acting Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Rev. George N. Smith gave a full report of his work with the Native Americans in the area of the Old Wing Mission. There were 30 "scholars" in the school this year. "On account of the small amount of funds annually received, we have endured great privations;..."
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Deed
From a deed on December 27, 1841, in the presence of the notary and lawyer Pieter Lijndrajer, Junior, and witnesses, passed and registered in Amsterdam: [namely:] "Registered in Amsterdam, December 28, 1841, volume sixty-one, folio thirty-four verso, section three and four, comprising two pages without marginal remarks, received with the increase of three guilders and thirty-one and a half cents. The [tax] collector Weggelhorst signed [the document]." It appears that Messrs. Albertus Christiaan van Raalte, private, living in Ommen, province of Overijssel, and Dirk Blikman Kikkert,ship broker, living in Amsterdam, have contracted a partnership to continue the Brick, Shingle, Tile and Ceramic factory, situated in Ommen and the region of Ommen, with the business name BLIKMAN KIKKERT & COMPANY, of which both partners have the diagram [drawing? proof with signatures?]: that this has begun on January 1 of this year, and will last for fourteen successive years, with competence of extension, in each case for three years, except in case termination has taken place.
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Letter from Anthony Brummelkamp to Albertus C. Van Raalte / Postscript from Maria Wilhelmina de Moen Brummelkamp to Christina Johanna Van Raalte - de Moen
Anthony Brummelkamp, Maria Wilhelmina de Moen Brummelkamp, and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Anthony Brummelkamp to Albertus C. Van Raalte about a Rev. Berent Fijnebuik of Schiedam who resigned the church after a pastorate of five months. Mrs. Maria Wilhelminade Moen Brummelkamp added a postscript. Mrs. Van Raalte and Mrs. Brummelkamp were very close as sisters.
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Letter from Anthony Brummelkamp to A. C. Van Raalte
Anthony Brummelkamp and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Anthony Brummelkamp to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte about the maids in the Brummelkamp household.
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Letter from Anthony Brummelkamp to Afqescheiden Churches
Anthony Brummelkamp and Nella Kennedy
In a letter of Rev. Anthony Brummelkamp to Afgescheiden churches, Brummelkamp reported that Rev. Klaas Marinus Wildeboer died. Although the date above is clearly written 1841, Wildeboer died September 17, 1842. Call for provincial meeting on Oct. 20.
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Letter from Anthony Brummelkamp to C. G. de Moen
Anthony Brummelkamp and Nella Kennedy
A letter of Anthony Brummelkamp to C.G. de Moen who is addressed as being in Ommen. The handwriting is very difficult to read. Persons mentioned are Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Rev. Pieter Zonne, and Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte.
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Letter from Antonie Brummelkamp to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte
Antonie Brummelkamp and Simone Kennedy
A letter of the Rev. Antonie Brummelkamp to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte in which the Van Raalte family is informed that the Brummelkamps lost a baby boy the previous night. Brummelkamp also says that Carel de Moen, the brother of Mrs. Van Raalte and Mrs. Brummelkamp is convinced that he wants to become a minister.
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Letter from Rev. Antonie Brummelkamp to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte
Antonie Brummelkamp and Simone Kennedy
A letter of Rev. Antonie Brummelkamp to his brother-in-law, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, responding to Van Raalte's remark that he tightens up when he has to attend synod meetings. Brummelkamp expressed the opinion that he and Van Raalte should not be the examiners of Carel de Moen since he is a relative and a friend of both of them. Rev. Budding has again been thrown into prison because he owes large fines. Brummelkamp has written the king to be forgiven of his fines because he is not guilty as charged.
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Letter from "Cato" to C. G. de Moen
"Cato" and Henry ten Hoor
A letter to C. G. de Moen, then in Ommen according to the address on the envelope, from "Cato", an unidentified person.
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Excerpt from Albertus C. Van Raalte and His Dutch Settlements in the United States
Albert Hyma
A sermon preached by A. C. Van Raalte in Ommen.
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Letter from Anthony Brummelkamp to Fellow Pastors in Overijssel and Gelderland
Nella Kennedy
This letter is from Ds. Anthony Brummelkamp to fellow pastors in Overijssel and Gelderland regarding the death of Rev. Klaas Wildeboer. His widow now needs financial help. Could they provide financial assistance?
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Appeal to the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church
A. C. Van Raalte and C. G. de Moen
"Appeal to the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church about the necessity of a reformation based on God's Word as the only remedy by which a true linking of all the upright reformed people, separated as well as not separated Christians, can be achieved; by the Ministers of the Christian Separatist Churches in Ommen and Den Ham (Province of Overijssel); then is added in handwriting, A. C. Van Raalte and C. G. de Moen. Their names come at the end of the document on p. 13, and before the appendix.
