Van Raalte Papers: 1840-1849

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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Article "Holland Emigrants" from the Christian Intelligencer

Thomas De Witt

An article, entitled, "Holland Emigrants," by the Rev. Thomas De Witt, which appeared in the Christian Intelligencer, p. 62. The main part of De Witt's report is on H. P. Scholte's colony at Pella, Iowa. He also reports that he heard in a recent letter from Albertus Van Raalte who said that about 1700 persons were now in the Holland Colony in three villages. The new sawmill has been erected and Van Raalte said that "sufficient shelter would be provided by the coming winter." Another colony of emigrants who arrived in New York planned to settle in Wisconsin. De Witt claimed that most of the emigrants are "pious."
Letter from Thomas De Witt to Rev. Elias Heiner

Thomas De Witt

A letter of Thomas De Witt, a pastor in the Collegiate Church to a Rev. Elias Heiner of Baltimore "per Rev. H. P. Scholte" [which may account for the fact that the letter stayed in Pella], to whom De Witt commends Scholte and the need of his people. "The expected emigrants from Holland" are coming into the Baltimore harbor, I assume.
Note of "Emigrants from Holland" in Christian Intelligencer

Thomas De Witt

A brief notice about the "Emigrants from Holland," written by Thomas De Witt on this day, which was printed in the Christian Intelligencer on January 7, 1847, p. 102. De Witt is stating that a number of immigrants will be staying in the New York area and need jobs. "Cannot our friends procure for them some means of employment?" De Witt also acknowledges receipt of two cash gifts totaling $35 from two members of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church in response to a recent notice in the Intelligencer.
Report in the Christian Intelligencer

Thomas De Witt

A report in the Christian Intelligencer by Thomas De Witt, minister of the Collegiate Church in New York, seeking employers for some of the Dutch immigrants who have come to America. De Witt also acknowledges some ocntributions for the needs of the immigrants.
Report to the General Synod About His Trip to the Netherlands in the Christian Intelligencer "Dr. De Witt's Visit to Europe"

Thomas De Witt

A record of the report of the Rev. Thomas De Witt to the General Synod about his trip to the Netherlands from which he had recently returned, as printed in the Christian Intelligencer, p. 191. Rev. H. P. Scholte is in New York City just at that time. De Witt speaks positively about the emigrants out of the Afscheiding who are coming to America in considerable numbers.
Letter from Thomas De Witt to Hendrik P. Scholte

Thomas De Witt and Nella Kennedy

In a very informative letter, Dr. Thomas De Witt, a pastor in the Collegiate Church, wrote about Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte. De Witt has received Scholte's letters of January 11 and 22. The books which De Witt had shipped to Scholte had still not arrived in the Netherlands and before Scholte would leave for America about 1 April. De Witt again deplores the arrival of so many immigrants that winter. He and the society have done much to help them in the difficulties they faced in the new world. De Witt reported that he has heard from Van Raalte who is meeting with a committee in Detroit which was organized to help him and his people. "Ds. V.R. has but a small means in hand, and deserves aid." De Witt assumes that Scholte has heard from Van Raalte also.
The Acts and Proceedings of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America, Convened at New-York, June [2-10], 1847

Thomas De Witt and James Romeyn

At the meeting of the General Synod of Reformed Protestant Dutch Church (RCA), it was reported that Dr. Thomas De Witt was planning a visit to the Netherlands. De Witt was authorized by the Synod to pay for the minutes of the Classis of Amsterdam for "permanent possession of certain historical manuscripts, loaned to this Synod for a limited period by said Classis."pp. 28-29.
De Grondwet Republished Letters from the Christian Intelligencer

Thomas De Witt, John F. Van Eden, and A. B. Taylor

De Grondwet, on April 28, 1914, republished materials which appeared in The Christian Intelligencer in 1847. A letter of John F. Van Eden Hollermann was published March 18, 1847, in which he summarizes the efforts of the Netherlands Society for the Protection of Emigrants from Holland on behalf of the immigrants now arriving in the United States. A Mr. P. Hodenpyl, Esq., was appointed general agent. In the March 25 issue, Thomas De Witt says more about the society and its efforts in fund raising. This letter was written March 22, 1847. The third letter is from A. B. Taylor of Grand Rapids and was published May 13, 1847. In this letter is the often used quote: Their provisions have failed them, and some have been subsisting on bran. This letter was dated April 26, 1847. These letters are published by Gerrit Van Schelvenin his series of articles, entitled, "Historische Schetsen uit het Koloniale Leven." These letters provide important documentation of efforts by the Reformed Church in America on behalf of Van Raalte and his people.
Letter from George Duffield to Governor E. Ransom

George Duffield

A letter of the Rev. Epaphroditus George Duffield, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, to Governor E. Ransom, congratulating the governor on his. election. He goes on to say, "They [foreign population] cannot have escaped your notice. I may say that I was particularly instrumental in directing & determining their move to settle in Michigan & may therefore be excused for manifesting some solicitude on their behalf....They ask not, & need not charity; but the peculiarity of their situation will render some legislative interposition? desireable, if not not indispensably necessary. They are in Ottawa count, spreading out into the thickly timbered land n & ne of Black river Lake. They are Hollanders who speak the low Dutch tongue, & frugal industrious & moral ?? of people....They number now nearly 2000 souls: all arrived within a year. Their leader is a minister of the Free church of Holland, & His people, of the same communion." Among their needs are a state road.
Letter from Auguste Duryee to the Honorable Judge Van de Poel

Auguste Duryee

A letter written by an Auguste Duryee, an American ambassador or charge' d' affaires in the Netherlands, to the Honorable Judge Van dePoel: "In consequence of some restraints in the full enjoyment of their religious faith and worship, the Reverend Doctor Scholten[sic], accompanied by most of his congregation, belonging to a Sect called here, Separatists, of wich [sic] he is, at the same time, the founder and the Apostle, have left Holland to seek, in our Republic that unlimited freedom, both of faith and of mode of worship, which [sic] the[y] have long desired in vain....The emigrants whom Doctr. Scholten [sic] leads wo what, for them, is, indeed, a land of promise, are not destitute adventurers. Many are what we would call snug farmers; others skillfull mechanics; all industrious and sober. In their tennets [sic] (ultra-Calvinism) rendered them some what stern and unsocial." The writer asks the Judge to receive these emigrants with kindness.
Letter from Elisha Ely to Nathan L. Miller

Elisha Ely and Michael Douma

Elisha Ely wrote Nathan L. Miller of Bloomfield, Connecticut, that "Just about 6 miles north of your lands the Holland settlement has commenced, there are now from 2100 to 2400 already there, + I have but little doubt that they will settle in south of their present location, + that will soon bring your lands into market. The lands that they have settled upon are cheifiy [sic] purchased from the United States at $1.25 per acres, myself + another own 240 acres on Section 4, Town. 3 N. R. 15 West, which we hold at two dollars an acre + which we expect to sell them at that price in the course of next season." This is helpful information about the size of the Holland Colony within the first year of the Dutch settlement by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte.
"Dorpslands Dagboek Van April, 1847"

Holland Colony and Henry ten Hoor

"Dorpslands dagboek van April, 1847" is a detailed account book of property purchases of Holland settlers and of wages and expenses incurred by the Holland Colony. It consists of thirty-five pages, of which the last two are in the handwriting of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. This is an invaluable account which reveals so much of the early days of the Colony. The names of many of the early settlers are found in this document.
Letter from John R. Kellogg to Albertus C. Van Raalte

John R. Kellogg

A letter written by John R. Kellogg to Albertus C. Van Raalte, saying, "Fearing you would be short of provision I thought best that Mr. Harrington should make an effort to get in with Some midlings & Bran--also a little Corn on the cob for die Pigs—" A postscript reads: "I hear nothing as yet from Mr. Youngs ---I am about out of money---"
Letter from John R. Kellogg to the Rev. J. C. Brigham

John R. Kellogg

A letter from John R. Kellogg, a member of the Executive Committee of the Allegan County Bible Society, to the Rev. J. C. Brigham, Secretary of the American Bible Society, requesting Bibles from the society because in reading the Dutch/English scriptures which the society distributes, proved to be the "most ready, easy and instructive" means of helping the followers of Albertus C. Van Raalte in learning the English language. Many of the immigrants are able to pay for the scriptures from the society, but others are not. Therefore, Kellogg is asking for help from the society. The followers of Van Raalte "are (generally) a peculiar people, zealous of good works, and the Bible Cause is that Cause in which their hearts are engaged,..." "There are at this moment from 6 to 700 souls in the Colony..." The Bibles will be placed in the hands of Van Raalte for distribution. On June 30, the society granted 100 Bibles and 200 testaments for the Hollanders. E. B. Bassett was secretary of Allegan society.
Financial Ledger of Purchases and Expenses of A. C. Van Raalte

John R. Kellogg and Henry ten Hoor

This document from a financial ledger contains a list of purchases and expenses of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. Expenses included cost of dinners, railroad fare from Detroit, maps, ax handles, cloth and other items. The total amount was $53.02. The ledger sheet was signed by Judges John R. Kellogg.
Letter from G. T. Gezelle Meerburg to Helenius de Cock

G.T. Gezelle Meerburg and Nella Kennedy

In a letter of Rev. G. T. Gezelle Meerburg to Rev. Helenius de Cock, he discusses de Cock's call to the Separatist Church in Den Bosch.
Letter from George Minot to Mr. N. Silsbee

George Minot

A letter of George Minot, 4 Court St., Boston, to Mr. N. Silsbee, stating that he heard from Rev. J. [Isaac] N. Wyckoff that Van Raalte was eager to buy lots at the mouth of the Black River, owned by Silsbee. Please notify Minot if he is willing to sell this property to A.C.V.R..
Letter from Charles Noble to N. Silsbee

Charles Noble

A letter of Charles Noble to N. Silsbee, indicating that Silsbee sold the property to Van Raalte, and other matters including the information that the state government decided to place the seat of government in Lansing.
Albertus C. Van Raalte Purchased Lot 4, Block 1, from George Peters

Ottawa County

Albertus C. Van Raalte purchased lot 4, block 1, from George Peters. He sold the property to his son, Benjamin, April 20, 1875. Other Holland people held the property during the intervening period also.
Examination of Title for Property in Section 31 of Holland Township

Ottawa County

An examination of title for property in section 31 of Holland township which was purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte from the United States on this date. Other well-known residents of Holland, Michigan, mentioned in the document are Derk Te Roller, Kommer Schaddelee, Edward J. Harrington, Jan Visscher and wife, Ame Vennema, Martin Vander Haar, Cornelius and Henry Dosker.
Van Raalte's Account with Courtland Palmer

Courtland Palmer

Van Raalte's account with Courtland Palmer, showing that A.C.V.R. paid off the mortgage due Palmer. Courtland's lawyer noted that the mortgage was paid off on September 10, 1853.
A Bond Worth $4,739.68 Owned by Courtland Palmer for a Loan to Van Raalte Who is to Repay the Loan in Five Installments

Courtland Palmer and A. C. Van Raalte

A bond, worth $4,739.68, owned by Courtland Palmer, for a loan to Van Raalte who is to repay the loan in five installment. The bond was apparently sold later to James Suydam and Samuel B. Schieffelin.
A Bill of a Sale for "Mr. D Van Raalte" for Various Items of Hardware from John Patterson, Buffalo, New York, in the Amount of $27.32

John Patterson

A bill of sale for "M[r.] D. Van Raltee- for various items of hardware from John Patterson, Buffalo, New York, in the amount of $27.32.
Letter from Theodore Romeyn to A. C. Van Raalte

Theodore Romeyn

A letter of Theodore Romeyn, Detroit, Michigan, to A. C. Van Raalte Romeyn informs A.C.V.R. that "The residue of our Holland friends from St. Clair are in the city and will leave to morrow for Kalamazoo....".
"Recd. of Revd. A. C. Van Raalte Two Hundred Dollars on Account of Purchase of S 1/2 of Section 33 Township 5 North, Range 15 West, Ottawa County Michigan Per George Young"

Wm. Schermerhorn and Peter Schermerhorn

"Recd. of Revd. A. C. Van Raalte Two Hundred Dollars on account of purchase of S 1/2 of Section 33 Township 5 North, Range 15 West, Ottawa County Micigan. per George Young" Signed by Wm. ? Schermerhorn for Peter Schermerhorn. On October 2, 1848, Peter Schermerhorn wrote H. D. Post that he acknowledges receipt of $236.00 which is the second payment on the property he purchased September 16 the previous year. Schermerhorn also asked for Albertus C. Van Raalte's address in case he needs to write the minister. [George Young was the leading elder in the First Reformed Church in Grand Rapids.]