Van Raalte Papers: 1840-1849

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  Letter from Hendrik P. Scholte to a Mr. J. Hospers

  Hendrik P. Scholte and Walter Lagerwey

  A letter of Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte to a Mr. J. Hospers at Hoog Blokland, the Netherlands, saying that Albertus C. Van Raalte made an unfortunate choice by going to Michigan. "In his efforts to get people to go there van Raalte has already become thoroughly American." Scholte also said: "The Dutch Reformed [Church] 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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  Letter from George N. Smith to William A. Richard

  George N. Smith

  In his annual report to William A. Richmond, Acting Superintendent [of] Indian Affairs, Rev. George N. Smith reported that the Dutch colony was afflicted with small pox. "The colony now numbers about 1,500; what its influence will be on our mission the future must determine; we hope it may be good eventually, but the Indians were not prepared to defend their fields against the large numbers of cattle and hogs the Dutch are bringing in, especially as they have to be absent, and cannot watch them. Considerable damage is already done, but the farmer [Isaac Fairbanks/ is making vigorous efforts to secure them."

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  Letter from J. B. Sondag to "A Brother in the Lord in Ostfriesland"

  J. B. Sondag, Nella Kennedy, and Simone Kennedy

  A letter of J. B Sondag "written on request to a brother in the Lord in Ostfriesland,...while imprisoned in he castle of Bentheim. "Zondag said he is in prison because he was preaching the word. He speaks about Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte's emigration to America of which he did not approve. "Millions of emigrants who left Europe for America were not the best of citizens here." He has read Van Raalte's pamphlet on emigration. He also met Van Raalte and is very critical of him. Sondag apparently liked Scholte more because he sticks to the Canons of Dort. "Van Raalte lost most of this money in a tile factory and his last church in Arnheim [sic] was only able to pay half of his salary."

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  Examination of Title of Property in Section 31 in Holland Township Purchased by Van Raalte from Courtland Palmer and His Wife

  State of Michigan, Ottawa County, and George D. Turner

  An examination of title of property in section 31 in Holland township purchased by Albertus C. Van Raalte from Courtland Palmer and his wife, [Mary], on this date. Van Raalte received a mortgage of $3,239.68 from Courtland Palmer which Palmer, in turn, sold to James Suydam and Samuel B. Schieffelin, October 10, 1853. The mortgage was discharged on March 10, 1857.

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  Van Raalte Purchased $1,656.50 Acres from Courtland Palmer and Mary Ann Palmer

  State of Micigan, Courtlandt, and Mary Ann Palmer

  The indenture between Courtlandt Palmer and Mary Ann Palmer, his wife, of the City of State of New York and Albertus C. Van Raalte of Ottawa County, State of Michigan, stating that for the sum of $3,840.47, Van Raalte purchased $1,656.50 acres.

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  Article in the Christian Intelligencer

  A. B. Taylor

  Mention by Hyma of an article which appeared in the Christian Intelligencer, written by the Rev. A. B. Taylor, of Grand Rapids, who was also very helpful to Van Raalte and his people. Hyma published an excerpt of this article on pp. 143-144. This is the letter of the oft-quoted statements: There is now, and has been for some time, a most painful state of want among these devoted brethren. Their provisions have failed them, and some have been subsisting on bran.

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  Letter to the Editor of the Christian Intelligencer

  A. B. Taylor

  A letter to the editor of the Christian Intelligencer from "A. B. T." (the Rev. A. B. Taylor), p. 170, reporting of the most pressing need" of the immigrants. "Their provisions have failed them, and some have been susbsisting on bran." The immigrants have to travel a great distance for basic provisions. The need is urgent to assist these deserving people and their "self denying leader."

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  A Page of Jannes Van de Luyster Account Book- Loaned A. C. Van Raalte

  Jannes Van de Luyster

  From a page of an account book of Jannes Van de Luyster of Zeeland, Michigan, there is mention of a loan to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte from Jannes Vande Luyster for the sum of $100.00 at five percent interest. Van Raalte had borrowed $100 in June, 1847, for total interest that year of $7.00.

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  Letter from Cornelius Vander Meulen to His Friends in the Netherlands

  Cornelius Vander Meulen and Hebry ten Hoor

  On this date, Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen wrote to his friends in the Netherlands to give them a report about his settling in the Holland Colony in Michigan. He left the Netherlands on 27 May and arrived in New York 2 July. He estimated there were already 2000 persons in the Colony. Conditions were difficult causing sickness and death but his family was doing well. His congregation was worshipping in the open air. He was so pleased that the acrimony in the Netherlands was not evident in the Colony. The letter is very informative about the early days of the settlement. He, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, and Rev. Marten Ypma are the three pastors serving there currently.

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  Letter from C. M. van Malsen to Her Parents

  C. M. van Malsen

  A letter of C. M. van Malsen to her parents in the Netherlands reporting on the trip to America made by her brother, Cornelis, and herself. Their ship left port on May 4. She does not say on what date they arrived in New York but it took 20 days to get from New York to Holland, Michigan. "We are now at our destination, a colony which numbers about a thousand people. You can imagine that we endure many hardships in a wild forest. Many are living in log houses but many still find themselves in huts made of foliage. Forty of us, large and small, are living together." p. 46. "Rev. Van Raalte and his wife prefer to have me live with my brother here, for the minister would like to have Cornelis remain here; we are on very good terms with the pastor and his wife. A structure is to be erected here which is to serve, at first as a church and school." p. 47.

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  Letter from Cornelis van Malsen to His Family and Relatives

  Cornelius van Malsen

  A letter of Cornelis van Malsen to his family and relatives, telling them about the safe arrival in America. The ocean trip took thirty-three days, a fact which his sister had not related. When they left Vlissingen on May 4, "We estimated that about a thousand emigrants left Vlissingen with us." p. 39. They arrived in New York June 6. They reached Holland June 26. As for finding work, "Yesterday we sent a group of laborers and servant girls to the little city of Kalamazoo and there they were received with open arms." p. 42. He adds, "Rev. Van Raalte has much courage. I am happy that I can be of service to him." p. 44. The letter is full of information about the trip and exudes the fervent piety of the writer.

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  Letter from Cornelia Maaike van Malsen Vander Luister to Her Parents, Brothers, and Sister

  Cornelia Maaike van Malsen Vander Luister

  A letter of Cornelia Maaike van Malsen Vande Luister [she had been married to Jannis Vande Luister on September 11 by Albertus C. Van Raalte] to her parents, brothers, and sister, about many family matters because she had heard from her parents on November 12. She then gave a report on life in the Van Raalte family: I am still in the household of Rev. Van Raalte but am going to my own house this week. The pastor and his wife are my dear friends; we have very much in common. The Lord grant that I may find grace in the in the eyes of the people. All three of us (the minister, his wife, and I) are writing to the Netherlands. It is nine o'clock in the evening. The dear little ones are in bed. The two smallest—Christina, a dear little girl of about two and Dirk, a lad of four, call me "aunt"; they are all fond of me. I will have the youngest for fourteen days as soon as he is weaned. Benjamin is seven; then comes Mina, nine; and Albertus, who is eleven years old. Arie, you should see how neatly those boys can chop wood. They all have little axes, even little Dirk... We have already been with this good family for three months... During the winter months our English teacher comes to instruct both the children and the adults, especially in English. The minister and his wife pray constantly for a God-fearing teacher... (Van Raalte) has so much to do that I often feel sorry for him. She is also urging her parents to come to America and gives them advice about the trip and what they need to take.

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  Letter from Albertus C. Van Raalte to Mr. [H] Pennoyer

  Van Raalte

  A letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to Mr. [Hi Pennoyer of Grand Haven requesting him to contact the owner of land which some of the immigrants would like to buy.

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  Letter from Van Raalte to "To the Merchants in Lumber on the Kalamazoo River"

  Van Raalte

  A letter of Van Raalte -To the Merchants in lumber on the Kalamazoo River," stating that a Mr. Hesselink is dealing with them on his behalf. A.C.V.R. is writing in English. He is concerned to get the cheapest rate.

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  Sample Page of Van Raalte's Account Book

  Van Raalte

  A sample page from Van Raalte's account book. Mannes Stegeman's account began on July 6, 1847 and continued until July 6, 1852. Stegeman borrowed money to buy his house lot.

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  Van Raalte's Purchases from Henry Post

  Van Raalte

  An account of Van Raalte's purchases from Henry Post [in the Colony Store?]. The purchases include a wide range of items. On another page, purchases began September 23. The last date is August 23, 1848.

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  Ledger Where A. C. V. R. Recorded the Marriages He Performed

  A. C. Van Raalte

  A copy of the pages of the ledger in which A.C.V.R. recorded the marriages he performed from July 25, 1847 to May 31, 1876. The last ceremony he performed was for his daughter, the widow of P. J. Oggel, to Teunis Keppel.

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  Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to John Ball

  A. C. Van Raalte

  A letter of A.C.V.R. to John Ball, Grand Rapids, on business matters.

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  Record of Van Raalte Purchased 4,273 of Various Types of Lumber

  A. C. Van Raalte

  A record produced by Isaac Fairbanks stating that Van Raalte purchased 4,273 feet of various types of lumber from Macksanby for the amount of $29.90. Final payment was recorded on May 24 by George N. Smith.

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  The Rev. A. C. Van Raalte Account with the Henry D. Post's Store in the Colony

  A. C. Van Raalte

  The Rev. A. C. Van Raalte account with the Henry D. Post's Store in the Colony 15 pages; the account list many purchases by A.C.V.R. and provides a detailed record of his business affairs; the store was a general store: food, clothing, furniture, etc. There are postage charges also. A.C.V.R. ran up considerable charges and then give Post funds in amounts of $1,300 for instance.

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  Van Raalte Purchased 2,590 Acres from Courtland Palmer for the Sum of $3,239.68

  A. C. Van Raalte

  An indenture which Van Raalte calls a mortgage saying that Van Raalte purchased 2,590 acres from Courtland Palmer for the sum of $3,239.68.

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  Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Mr. H. Pennoyer

  A. C. Van Raalte and Holland City News

  A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Mr. H. Pennoyer of Grand Haven in regard to purchase of land and tax sales.

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  A. C. Van Raalte Account List

  A. C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor

  The Rev. A. C. Van Raalte account with the Henry D. Post's Store in the Colony 15 pages; the account list many purchases by A.C.V.R. and provides a detailed record of his business affairs; the store Was a general store: food, clothing, furniture, etc. There are postage charges also. A.C.V.R. ran up considerable charges and then give Post funds in amounts of $1,300 for instance.

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  Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to J. A. Wormser

  A. C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor

  A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to J. A. Wormser of Amsterdam. A.C.V.R. reports on the Phoenix disaster.

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  Letter from Albertus Van Raalte to Christina de Moen Van Raalte

  Albertus C. Van Raalte

  A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to his wife, Christina de Moen Van Raalte, in which he reports his visit to the Black River area where he spent time with the Rev. and Mrs. George N. Smith. He is now with Judge Kellogg and his wife in Allegan. He plans to go to Grand Haven tomorrow, then to Kalamazoo and return to Detroit. He appreciates the letters Mrs. Van Raalte forwarded from the Rev. Isaac N. Wyckoff and Theodore Romeyn. V.R. now says that Michigan attracts him as a place for settlement more than Wisconsin.