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 of Holland Colony in the Christian Intelligencer and Copied Into the Grand River Eagle
A report of the Holland Colony which appeared in the Christian Intelligencer and copied by Grand River Eagle, p. 2. The report orginated in Grand Rapids on May 15, 1848. Since the end of the report is lost, it cannot be determined who wrote the report. "The population now numbers over two thousand souls, and new companies are continually arriving....I conversed with children and adults, but could not find a solitary individual that wished himself again in old Holland. I can truly say, that I never met with a happier body of people." The author is amazed by the progress made in just one year.
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Report on the Holland Colony in the Grand River Eagle
A report in the Grand River Eagle, p. 2, on the Holland Colony. The author of the report is not given. The person says: ...they ask for no private charity....They . are a hardy, industrious, frugal, moral and religious people,...and like the Pilgrims of 1620, came to this country, to escape the intolerance of their own, and in quest of liberty of conscience, where no alliance exists between the church and state, and where they may be permitted to worship God in their own way." The author claims that about 2000 people are now in the Colony.
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Story Written About the Orphan House in the Anchor 1889
The Orphans House was built at about this time in the Holland Colony with the purpose to house the orphans of many families when both parents were lost by death. A story written about the Orphans House by Cornelius Doesburg was published in The Anchor, April, 1889. The story was written at that time because the building burned down on 26 March 1889.
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A. C. V. R. Purchased 40 Acres for $50.00 from the State of Michigan
Findley J. Bingham and John McKinsey
A document or -patent- stating that A.C.V.R. purchased forty acres for $50.00 from the State of Michigan. The document is signed by Findley J. Bingham, Governor, and John McKinsey?, Secretary of State. The certificate is numbered 3145.
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Letter from Anthony Brummelkamp to Mrs. G. Groen van Prinsterer
Anthony Brummelkamp and Henry ten Hoor
In a letter to Mrs. G. Groen van Prinsterer from Rev. Anthony Brummelkamp, the author is clearing up some statements of Rev. Budding and chiding Rev. Hendrik Scholte for having an arrogant and sharp tone. A foonote to the letter mentions the school operated by Rev. Brummelkamp and Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte in Arnhem.
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Letter from the "Citizens of Ottawa" to Mr. "Eagle" Published in the Grand River Eagle
Citizens of Ottawa
A letter from the "Citizens of Ottawa" to Mr. "Eagle", published in the Grand River Eagle, July 7, p. 2, asking the question, where is Littlejohn? Apparently he lives in Allegan. He has the right to expend funds from the sale of 7,000 acres for a road. "Mr. Eagle, when you soar away to Allegan, please flutter around his head and give him a scream or two, if you can find him. Perhaps he 'sleepeth or hath gone on a journey.'"
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An Abstract of Title for a Piece of Property Purchased by the Rev. Seine Bolks
County of Allegan, State of Michigan
An abstract of title for a piece of property purchased by the Rev. Seine Bolks on this date. Bolks and his wife sold the property to Gerrit Maatman on August 29, 1851. [Did Bolks do what Van Raalte did, buy property and then sell it to immigrants who wish to buy land for farming?]
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Record of State Tax Land Purchase by Van Raalte of 160 Acres for $19.20
County of Ingham
A record of state tax land purchase by Van Raalte of 160 acres for $19.20. Apparently, this land was sold to "A. B. Hubbard", July 12, 1851 for $78.84.
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An Abstract of a Piece of Property Purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte
County of Ottawa, State of Michigan
An abstract of a piece of property purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte on this date. The location of the property is now at 7th Street and College Avenue in Holland city. Van Raalte deeded the property to the Council of Hope College, April 2, 1873. The college sold it to Teunis Keppel, June 28, 1882.
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An Abstract of Title for Property Purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte
County of Ottawa, State of Michigan
An abstract of title for property purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte on this date. He sold the property to the Rev. Isaac N. Wychoff, pastor, Second Reformed Church, Albany, New York, on July 17, 1849. [Wyckoff had visited Holland in early June of that year.] Wyckoff, in turn, sold it to Van Raalte September 24, 1853. Van Raalte and his wife sold the property to Jacob Den Dekker, Nov. 20, 1860.
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Abstract of Block 50 City of Holland
J. de Boe
An abstract of Block 50, City of Holland Mich SE44 of Sec. 29… .
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Letter from Elisha Ely to Nathan L. Miller
Elisha Ely and Michael Douma
Elisha Ely wrote Nathan L. Miller, Esq., Bloomfield, Connecticut, giving a description of lands owned by Miller. Ely will pay the taxes for Miller when they are due. In a postscript, Ely wrote: "Is it rather difficult to say anything satisfactory relative to the sale of the lands. I did suppose that there would be a fair probability of their being sold to the Hollanders, but they are inclining East instead of South as there is more Government land in that direction." Ely said that the Colony now numbers about 3200 people.
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An Examination of Title of Property Purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte
Grand Haven, Ottawa County, State of Michigan
An examination of title of property purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte on this date. Other abstracts of this date indicate that Van Raalte bought the property but it was conveyed to the public as in this document. This date is that of the original plat map. V.R. is noted on the Plat Map of 1848 that he is the proprietor along with the village trustees.
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A Letter to the Editor of a Grand Haven Newspaper from H. Griffin
H. Griffin
A letter to the Editor of a Grand Haven ? newspaper from H. Griffin. Much information about De Kolonie. "About 300 of these people have filed in my office the report and declaration of intention to become citizens of the United States, ..."
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Letter of Henry Griffin, the County Clerk, Reported He Met with About 300 Hollanders
Henry Griffin
The letter of Henry Griffen, county clerk, reporting that he met with about 300 Hollanders who declared their intention to become citizens. The average age was thirty-five. Griffenwas impressed that only six persons had to make a mark because they could not sign their names. He made three stops: Holland City, Zeeland village and "Staatsland" [Drenthe]. He mentions what land is now in possesion of the Hollanders including land purchased from the Indians for $5 an acre. Some of this land had been cleared. Many farms had five to ten acres in crops such as corn and potatoes. Some farmers had already cleared up to 40 acres. There are about 200 houses in Holland city, ranging "from the rude hut covered with bark to the well finished and painted house; every lot occupied having a fine garden, and yard in front of the house, with a gate, and at every window on the street the neat white curtain". Several stores are selling provisions; one windmill is over 100 feet high and driving four saws. 500 were present at the church service; there is an English school in the church which is 40 by 60 feet. Griffen also helped them organize a district school "agreeable to our primary school law system." Zeeland village has 100 houses. Their church is nearly built of white cedar. A Holland school has 70 scholars. Staatsland is six miles east of Zeeland, a community of 70 families.
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An Examination of the Title for the Property West 80 ft. Lot 5, Block 56, City of Holland, from Date of Platting
Holland, Michigan
An "Examination of Title" for the property, West 80 ft. Lot 5, Block 56, City of Holland, from date of platting." Albertus C. Van Raalte conveyed the property to "The Public" on this date. The property was conveyed to Isaac N. Wycoff [sic] and Thomas P. Crooke on July 20, 1849 and conveyed back to Van Raalte September 24, 1853. Isaac and Alwine Schuppert owned the property in the 1930s.
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Abstract of Title of Property in the Elmwood Addition
Holland, Michigan and George D. Turner
Abstract of Title of property in the Elmwood Addition, City of Holland. Albertus C. Van Raalte purchased the property from the United States government on this date.
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Letter from "Deidrich Knickerbocker" Published in the Grand River Eagle
Deidrich Knickerbocker
A letter from "Deidrich Knickerbocker" published in the Grand River Eagle June 23, 1848, p. 2, deploring the failure of Flavius J. Littlejohn, road commissioner, in not getting roads built to the Holland Colony.
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Minutes of the "Volksvergaderingen"
Barabra Lampen
The first Volksvergadering, convened on October 11, 1848, at the home of Walvoord.
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The Minutes of the Volksvergadering or Peoples' Assembly, the Holland Colony
Barbara Lampen and Frances Vander Mey
The minutes of the Volksvergadering or Peoples' Assembly, the Holland Colony.
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Letter from F. J. Littlejohn to Governor E. Ransom
F. J. Littlejohn
A letter of F. J. Littlejohn to Governor E. Ransom, who seeks the post of special commissioner, "under the provisions of a Bill for constructing a wharf etc. for the benefit of the Holland Colony."
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Land Purchases Made by A. C. Van Raalte
Ottawa County
Taken from an internet record, this item lists the seventeen land purchases in Allegan and Ottawa counties made by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raate between these dates. The purchases were recorded in the district land office in Ionia, Michigan.
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Redemption Certificate, A. C. V. R. Bought Three Parcels of Land $7.85
Henry Pennoyer and Henry Griffin
Redemption Certificate, No. 5, noting that A.C.V.R. bought three parcels of land for back taxes, amounting to $7.85, Henry Pennoyer, County Treasurer, and Henry Griffin, County Clerk.
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Report on the Holland Colony Which Appeared in the New York Tribute and Copied by the Grand River Eagle
Henry D. Post
A report on the Holland Colony by Henry D. Post which appeared in the New York Tribune and copied by the Grand River Eagle, February 2, 1849, p. 2. Post begins, saying, "In the Weekly Tribune of Dec. 9, I notice an article headed 'Hollanders in Michigan,' made up principally of an extract from the Grand Rapids Eagle, which is so meager in its details, and in some particulars incorrect, that I beg leave to give you a description of the Holland Colony as it is." He mentions Rev. Ypma at "States Land," or Vriesland. He concludes his report as follows, "The Ottawa Indians connected with the Old Wing Mission were, until the Holland emigrants landed here, the only occupants of this beautiful region. Since the settlements commenced they have decided to leave, and will remove in the coming Spring to Grand Traverse Bay. Thier removal throws a large quantity of beautiful farming lands which they owned, into the market. A large accession to the Colony is expected as soon as navigation opens in the Spring."
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Diary Entry by Hoyt G. Post
Hoyt G. Post
A diary entry of Hoyt G. Post, in Part I, dated 1850, Post wrote an account of his life in the Holland Colony. He had arrived in the Colony in May 1848 to build a store. He enjoyed the hunting and fishing in the area. Hoyt's diary, in general, is very negative about the Dutch settlers.
