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 Simon van Velzen to Albertus C. Van Raalte
Simon van Velzen
A letter of Rev. Simon van Velzen to his brother-in-law, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, at Ommen, concerning his health and some church matters. One person mentioned is a Suidel, also a Rev. Fijnebuik. Son Simon has been ill and his wife is pregnant.
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Letter from Simon van Velzen to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte
Simon van Velzen and Henry ten Hoor
A letter of Simon van Velzen to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte about family matters.
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Letter from Simon van Velzen to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte
Simon van Velzen and Henry ten Hoor
A letter of Simon van Velzen to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte about family and ecclesiastical matters.
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Letter from Simon van Velzen to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte
Simon van Velzen and Henry ten Hoor
A letter of Simon van Velzen to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte after learning of the birth of their child [Christina Catharina, b. 21 February and d. 24 May 1843].
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Letter from Simon van Velzen to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte
Simon van Velzen and Henry ten Hoor
A letter of Simon van Velzen to Albertus and Christina Van Raalte on eacclesiastical matters.
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Property Sale from C. G. de Moen to Dirk Blikman Kikkert
G. de Moen, Dirk Blikman Kikkert, and Nella Kennedy
The formal document records the sale of property by Carel Godefroi de Moen to Dirk Blikman Kikkert, a ship broker and importer. The document is full of details.
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Letters from Van Raalte to the King (Placed in Individual Folders)
Nella Kennedy
Letters of A. C. Van Raalte to the King. The letters are also signed by others. The dates are: Ommen, 31 October 1839; Ommen, 6 December 1839; Ommen, 11 February 1841. Other correspondence: Letter of a Smits, Ommen, 5 February 1841; A list of signatures, not dated; A letter, Zwolleden 6 April 1841: author? A letter of A.C.V.R. and C. G. de Moen, Ommen, 27 March 1841; not in A.C.V.R.'s handwriting; de Moen's writing? Four misc. pages.
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Mayor and Councilmen of Ommen Have No Objections of a Factory
Mayor and Councilmen of Ommen and Nella Kennedy
The Mayor and Councilmen of the village of Ommen have no objection to the establishment of a tile and brick factory by de Moen and Company near the Ceramilïcs Factory of E. Ravenshorst who was granted a permit last year. This petition was sent to the "Gedeputeerde Staten."
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Letter from J. A. Sandberg, A Member of Legislature on Behalf of the Governor of Overijssel
J. A. Sandberg and Nella Kennedy
This document also relates to the request of the Ommen Separatist congregation for recognition by the king of the Netherlands.
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Letter from Rev. George N. Smith to Robert Stuart
George N. Smith
In a published letter of Rev. George N. Smith to Robert Stuart, Smith presented a report on his work with the Native Americans in Ottawa and Allegan counties. His school has been well received by the Indians.
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Statement Issued by the Mayor of Ommen
J. Smit and Nella Kennedy
In a statement issued by the mayor of Ommen, [?] J. Smit, the Separatist congregation was allowed to use a building on Bouwstraat for "the exercise of worship." And "that, in its desired use no hindrance can be feared for other religious denominations or disturbance of public order and safety."
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Letter from Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen to Rev. Antonie Brummelkamp
Cornelius Vander Meulen and Nella Kennedy
In a letter of Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen to Rev. Antonio Brummelkamp, Vander Meulen reported on troubles in the Separatist Church. Persons mentioned are Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte, Rev. Simon van Velzen, and Rev. Pieter Zonne. The letter is very difficult to read.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte and Rev C. G. de Moen to the King
A. C. Van Raalte, C. G. de Moen, and Nella Kennedy
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte and Rev. C. G. de Moen wrote the king on further delineation on their request to the king of the Netherlands on behalf of the Separatist congregation.
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Petition from the Seperatist Congregation in Ommen
A. C. Van Raalte, Christina de Moen Van Raalte, and Nella Kennedy
The members of the Separatist congregation in Ommen again petition the king for official recognition. The nearly fifty members of the congregation who signed this petition agreed to the stipulations of the king's declaration of 9 January, including "That we assume the costs of our religion as well as the needs of our poor, without burdening the state." The document is significant for several reasons including the list of names of the persons who signed the petition including Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, and his wife, Christina J. Van Raalte.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Carl Godfried de Moen
A. C. Van Raalte, Blikman Kikkert, and Henry ten Hoor
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his wife's brother, Carl Godfried de Moen, regarding business matters. De Moen is pulling back from this business venture and Van Raalte and his sister's husband, Dirk Blikman Kikkert, are taking over.
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Business Document Between A. C. Van Raalte and Dirk Blikman Kikkert and de Moen Co.
A. C. Van Raalte, Dirk Blikman Kikkert, and Nella Kennedy
A document relating to he firm of de Moen and Co., the brickyard and ceramic works at Ommen.
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Government Approval of Christelijke Afgescheidene Congregation in Ommen
H. Van Zuijlen, van Nijevelt, and Nella Kennedy
The government of the Netherlands granted its official recognition of the Christelijke Afgescheidene congregation in Ommen. H. Van Zuijlen van Nijevelt, minister of state charged with the general oversight of the affairs of the Hervomde Kerk signed the document in the name of King William II.
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Letter from the Consistory of Rijssen to Rev. A. C. Van Raalte
K. Baan, L. Sweetman, Hs. Lubbers, W. B. Boschman, and Leonard Sweetman
A letter from the consistory in Rijsen to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte releasing Van Raalte from his service to the Rijssen congregation. Apparently V.R. assisted this congregation in becoming established while he was serving the Ommen congregation.
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Report of the Assembly of Supervisors of the Churches of Jesus Christ
A. Brummelkamp and Henry ten Hoor
Verslag van de Vergadering van Opzieners, der Gemeente Jesu Christi, gehouden den 6 en 7 Maart 1840, te Amsterdam. [Report of the Assembly of Supervisors of the Churches of Jesus Christ held on 6 and 7 March in Amsterdam. Te's Gravenhage. bij J. Van Golverdinge, 1840, 18 pp. Attenders at the synod included H. de Cock, H. P. Scholte, S. van Velzen, A. C. Van Raalte, A. Brummelkamp, H. G. Klijn, C. Vander Meulen, G. Baaij, P. Zonne, and C. de Moen. Discussion with regard to dispute between Van Velzen and Scholte.
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Letter from H. J. Koenen to G. Groen van Prinsterer
H. J. Koenen and Henry ten Hoor
A letter of H. J. Koenen to G. Groen van Prinsterer concerning the Afscheiding movement. Koenen mentions Gezelle Mvburg and Van Raalte because he learned that they may be returning to the Hervormde Kerk. Koenen is pessimistic about the future of the Separatist movement.
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Letter from Cornelius Vander Meulen to Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte
Cornelius Vander Meulen and Nella Kennedy
Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen wrote a letter to Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte about Scholte's publication, De Reformatie. Vander Meulen feels badly about the intention of some of the people involved in the Amsterdam are thinking about separation from the new denomination.
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Letter from Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen to Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte
Cornelius Vander Meulen and Nella Kennedy
Rev. Cornelis Vander Meulen wrote a letter on this date to Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte about difficulties in the Amsterdam congregation where there is dissension over the preaching of the pastor, Rev. Simon van Velzen.
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Letter from Cornelius Vander Meulen to His "Brothers in Christ"
Cornelius Vander Meulen and Henry ten Hoor
A letter of Cornelius Vander Meulen to his "brothers in Christ." He mentions the Dordt church order because it was an issue at the recent synod he attended in Amsterdam. He also indicates that he dislikes the controversy in the church and makes a negative comment about Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte.
