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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Albertus C. Van Raalte Purchases Property in Block 2 of the City of Holland and Part of Section 29 of Holland Township
Albertus C. Van Raalte purchased property in Block 2, of the City of Holland, on this date from George Peters and part of section 29 of Holland township. On July 21, 1848, Van Raalte and the trustees of the city, J. Van der Veen, J. A. Verhorst, Jan Slag, and J. Schrader, are noted as owners of the property. On September 13, 1859, the Van Raaltes deeded the property to "The Public" yet the Van Raaltes sell the property on January 3, 1867. A William Fliestra sold the property to John Ball, May 24, 1881.
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Article "Emigration from Holland, and Its Cause, the Denial of Religious Liberty and Education"
An article, entitled, "Emigration From Holland, and Its cause, the denial of religious liberty and education," originally printed in the London Patriot, and reprinted in the Christian Intelligencer, June 3, 1847, pp. 185-86 and June 10, 1847, p. 189 The author is not given but indicates a personal knowledge of H. P. Scholte and his work. "The three following, are the principal reasons alleged for their [the Separatists] bidding adieu to their fatherland. 1. The extreme poverty and suffering of the lower classes, and the wasting away of the middle class of society. 2. The want of religious liberty. 3. The impossibility of educating their children in the way they believe most conformed to the Word of God." The author expounds on each point for some length.
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Article, "Our Old Settlers" in the Holland City News Listing the Names of Immigrants Who Came to Holland, MI
An article in the Holland City News, March 23, 1878, p. 4, giving a list of the names of immigrants who came to Holland, Michigan, in this period, Feb.-Mar, 1847. An Old Settlers organization was now trying to get started in 1878. The list contains forty-seven names, of which twenty-three were then living.
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Deed for a Sale of Property by Peter Schermerhorn to A. C. Van Raalte
A deed for the sale of property by Peter Schermerhorn of New York to Albertus C. Van Raalte for a tract of 320 acres in Ottawa County, Michigan.
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"Emigrants from Holland" Christian Observer
A column in the Christian Observer was titled "Emigrants From Holland." The first lines read as follows: "A few weeks since, about one hundred emigrants arrived in New York, from Holland, in company with their Pastor, the Rev. A. C. Van Raalte. The most of this company started immediately for Wisconsin, the State in which they propose to plant themselves." This publication copied information from the Christian Intelligeneer, the denominational paper of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church.
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Essay Entitled "Evangelische Kerkenin Noord-America" in De Reformatie
A description of the Dutch Reformed Church in America is found in the essay, entitled,"Evangelische Kerkenin Noord-America," which was published in De Reformatie, Tijdschrift ter Bevordering van Gods Koningrijk in Nederland, 3deSerie, IIIdeDeel, Amsterdam: Hoogkamer & Compe, 184, pp. 207-211. This brief historical summary of the Dutch Reformed Church in America is very positive. The author is not given.
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Essay Entitled, "Landverhuizing," in De Reformatie
An essay, entitled, "Landverhuizing," was published in De Reformatie, Tijdschriftter Bevordering van Gods Koningrijk in Nederland, 3deSerie, IIIde Deel, Amsterdam: Hoogkamer & Compe, 1847, pp. 301-308. The writer is refuting authors of articles in some Dutch newspapers that are critical of the emigration to America. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte is mentioned in the essay.
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Report from the Acting Superintendant of the Office of the Indian Affairs
In a report of the (unnamed) acting superintendent of the office of Indian Affairs, the person reported that Old Wing Indians have fine tracts of land and "by the aid of the farmers and teachers, have made some improvement and advancement towards civilization."
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Report in the Grand River Eagle on a Meeting in Grand Rapids
A report in the Grand River Eagle, p. 2, on a meeting in Grand Rapids for the purpose "to wait upon our neighbors the Hollanders, and inform them of our interest in their welfare, and also to acquaint themselves with the best and shortest route to the settlement of the colonists." Committee members reported that they arrived at the home the Rev. A. C. Van Raalte on July 22, at 5.30 p.m. They also met some recently arrived immigrants who were living in temporary booths of hemlock on the banks of the Black River. Van Raalte estimated that 1200 had arrived and that there would be 2000 before winter. All needed outside support for months until they could turn "the forests into fruitful fields." A good road from Grandville to Holland was much needed. E. B. Bostwick was chair of the committee; the report is very sympathetic to the Hollanders.
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Report of the Phoenix Burning Off the Coast of Wisconsin
A report of the burning of the ship, Phoenix, off the coast of Wisconsin, published in the Grand River Eagle, p. 2.
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The Column "Emigration from Holland" Was Taken from the Christian Observer and Republished in the Trumpet and Universalist Magazine
A column in the Trumpet and Universalist Magazine was titled "Emigration from Holland." The material was taken from the Christian Observer. The story has now changed. Here it was reported that the immigrants are settling in Western Michigan.
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Copy of A. C. Van Raalte's Petition for Citizenship
Allegan County
A copy of A.C.V.R.'s petition for citizenship in typescript; a copy of the certificate that A.C.V.R. filed for citizenship, dated October 11, 1852; and a quote of Henry Griffin about the application of the colonists for citizenship, quoted from the historical souvenir of the 60th anniversary celebration of Zeeland, Michigan, August 7, 1907.
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Letter from Hendrik Barendregt to Albertus C. Van Raalte
Hendrik Barendregt, Nella Kennedy, and Simone Kennedy
A letter from Hendrik Barendregt to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte in which he discusses the financial needs of Dutch immigrants in St. Louis. [Barendregt went to Pella; he had been sent to America by the Utrecht Association.]
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Report in the Grand River Eagle
E. B. Bostwick and A. D. Rathbone
A report in the Grand River Eagle that a committee was organized in Grand Rapids to help the "worthy and enterprising pastor, the Rev. A. C. Van Raalte," and his people in their settlement. Some members of the committee were appointed to visit Holland. E. B. Bostwick was chairman and A. D. Rathbone, secretary.
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Stemmen Uit Noord-Amerika, Met Begeleidend Woord
A. Brummelkamp, Derk en Louis Arnaud, R. Sleijester, Isaac N. Wycoff, A. C. Van Raalte, and Henry ten Hoor
Stemmen uit Noord-Amerika, met Begeleidend Woord van A. Brummelkamp, TeAmsterdam, Hoogkamer & Comp. 1847, 97 pp. Contents include: an introduction by Brummelkamp, pp. 1-23; a letter from Berk en Louise Arnaud, written from Boston, Massachusetts 11 September 1846; pp. 26-52; a letter from R. Sleijster, Waupun, "Wisconsin, 25, August 1846, pp. 53-59; a letter from Rev. Isaac N. Wyckoff, 18 October 1846, pp. 60-62; a letter from Rev. A. C. Van Raalte, on board the steamboat, Great Western, at Buffalo, New York, 27 November 1846, pp. 63-92; a letter from Berk en Louise Arnaud, written from Boston, 30 December 1846, pp. 93-96.
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Letter from D[ ] Chabot to J[ ] Hospers
D. Chabot and Walter Lagerwey
A letter from D[ ] Chabot to J[ ] Hospers at Hoog Blokland,Utrecht, the Netherlands about finding a settlement in the United States, says: "So far I am confirmed in my conviction that Iowa and a part of Illinois will be most suitable for us, and that van Raalte has made an unfortunate choice. In Albany as well as in New York the general opinion is that things will turn out very bad in the end... In his efforts to get people to go there van Raalte has already become thoroughly American." He also writes: "The Dutch Reformed have been after me to join their Synod. I told them that I was not so inclined, because I cannot agree with the Synodical system. I think van Raalte will. In that case he will very likely receive an annual stipend of $100."
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Abstract of Title for the Property of "The West 1/2 of the West 1/3 of Lot 2, Block 56, City of Holland"
City of Holland
An abstract of title for the property, "The West 1/2 of the West 1/3 of Lot 2, Block 56, City of Holland, State of Michigan." Albertus C. Van Raalte purchased this lot from the United States April 25, 1847, certificate #6040. On July 21, 1848, A. C. Van Raalte, J. Van der Veen, J. A. Verhorst, Jan Slag, and J. Schrader conveyed the property to the Public. Other names in property transactions are Isaac Wyckoff and many others. Van Raalte's name appears several times.
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Examination of Title for Lots 5, 6 and 7 in Block B
City of Holland
An examination of title for lots 5, 6, and 7, in Block B addition to the City of Holland, property which was purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte from the United States. The document also records the sale of the property by the Van Raaltes to other residents of Holland. Jan R. Kleyn purchased the property on April 28, 1882. George Metz, Kate G. Post, and Albertus A. Pfanstiehl are also mentioned in the document.
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Meeting Minutes of the Committee in Detroit
S. Conant and N. A. Balch
Minutes of the committee in Detroit, which was organized to support Albertus C. Van Raalte and his people in making a settlement in Michigan. The meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church. Seven people were appointed to the committee: Theodore Romeyn, Shubael Conant, Rev. George Duffield, E. C. Seaman, A. S. Porter, E. P. Hastings, and J. W. Brooks. Other people in the state were designated to assist Van Raalte as needed such as Rev. O. P. Hoyt, the Hon. N. A. Balch, of the Senate, in Kalamazoo; George Young in Grand Rapids; Rev. Wm. M. Ferry and Henry Pennoyer in Grand Haven; and J. R. Kellogg and E. B. Bassett of Allegan and others. "Rev. Van Raalte, in a most touching and impressive manner, expressed his gratitude for the sympathy and aid proffered to his countrymen, and his gratification at having advanced thus far in the preparatory steps for the settlement in a land where labor would meet with its reward, and civil and religious freedom be secure." S. Conant was chair of the meeting and N. A. Balch, secretary.
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Letter from Francis Denison to Van Raalte
Francis Denison
A letter of Francis Denison at Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Van Raalte concerning business propositions to develop in the Colony. Hyma refers to this letter on page 180.
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"A Letter of Introduction for Hendrik P. Scholte by Thomas De Witt to Dr. James Cannon"
Thomas De Witt
A letter of introduction for Hendrik P. Scholte by Thomas De Witt, pastor in the Collegiate Church, to Dr. James Cannon, professor at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. De Witt says of Scholte, "He was educated in the University of Leyden and was among the just to erect a banner for the doctrines of the Reformation standards again the general defection in the Church of Holland."
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Article "Emigrants From Holland" in the Christian Intelligencer
Thomas De Witt
Another article by the Rev. Thomas De Witt, entitled, "Emigrants From Holland," in the Christian Intelligencer, p. 18, reporting on the considerable number of emigrants who have arrived in New York during the last three months. "Two settlements will be formed, composed mainly of those connected with the Secession from the Reformed Church of Holland, with whom one leading motive is the free, full and unembarrassed exercise of their faith and worship, as well as the attainment of a wider scope for the exercise of their industry, and reaping the fruits thereof." He reports on Rev. Van Raalte who "by the advice of judicious friends," chose a tract in western Michigan. According to Van Raalte in his last report to De Witt 700 or 800 persons have arrived in the settlement. Mr. James Forrester has raised more than $600 for the erection of a sawmill in the Holland Colony. H. P. Scholte is now in St. Louis.
