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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![The Report of the Resolutions in The Acts and Proceedings of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America, Convened at the Village of Poughkeepsie [New York]. June 1850 pp. 68-69, That the Classis of Holland is Received Into the Reformed Church.](https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/vrp_1850s/1177/thumbnail.jpg "The Report of the Resolutions in The Acts and Proceedings of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America, Convened at the Village of Poughkeepsie [New York]. June 1850 pp. 68-69, That the Classis of Holland is Received Into the Reformed Church.")
The Report of the Resolutions in The Acts and Proceedings of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America, Convened at the Village of Poughkeepsie [New York]. June 1850 pp. 68-69, That the Classis of Holland is Received Into the Reformed Church.
The report of the resolutions in The Acts and Proceedings of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America, Convened at the Village of Poughkeepsie [New York]. June 1850 pp. 68-69, that the Classis of Holland is received into the Reformed Church. The resolution speaks highly of the members of the Classis for their "consistent and exemplary Christian demeanor."
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The Report of the Visit of Albertus C. Van Raalte in the Minutes of the Particular Synod of Albany, pp. 22-23, Who Made Application for the Reception of the Classis of Holland Into the Synod
The report of the visit of Albertus C. Van Raalte in the Minutes of the Particular Synod of Albany, pp. 22-23, who made application for the reception of the Classis of Holland into the Synod. The Synod adopted the following resolution: Resolved, That whereas the delegate of the Classis of Holland, in Michigan, has represented to this Synod, that here are many portions of the flock of Christ that have emigrated from Holland, scattered about in separate localities, and constantly increasing by new accessions, and yet unable to call and support pastors, and are therefore likely to be perverted in faith, and swallowed up by errorists and strangers around, and therefore that it is exceedingly desirable that they shall have some competent persons to visit them statedly, and preach to them the word of life; therefore this Synod do earnestly sympathize with these destitute brethren, and would recommend their case to General Synod, to provide p. 23: for them ministers, itinerants, colporteurs, as shall seem best adapted to their situation.
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The Minutes of the Classis of Holland Were Missing, So Correspondances Were Used Instead
S. Bolks and Van Raalte
The minutes of the Classis of Holland for this meeting are missing because the clerk, J. A. Verhorst, died suddenly.
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Meeting Notes at the Congregational Meeting of the First Reformed Church
William Buursma
Several matters were taken up at the congregational meeting of the First Reformed Church, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, presiding. The pastor admonished the members to pay their debts. It was decided to rent the pews in order to raise funds for the church building fund. V.R. admonished the members that the cemetery needed care. If it were not improved in two months, he would see that it was done but then the congregation would lose its rights to the cemetery. Because the meeting got late, there was no time to discuss the matter of salary for the pastor.
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Meeting Notes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
William Buursma
After the opening prayer by the pastor, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, the Consistory of the First Reformed Church had its time taken up completely with complaints of people. Two men were admonished to pay their debts to Widow Bosch; O. D. Vander Sluis threatened the Consistory that he will go to the civil authorities concerning a property matter. The Consistory feels that Vander Sluis does not have a valid complaint. If he does not repent, he will be refused the sacraments of the church.
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Meeting Notes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
William Buursma
The Consistory of the First Reformed Church, at its meeting on this date, dealt with more complaints. Consistory felt that a Mr. Brouwer had not dealt rightly with Mr. Kuipers, Until he did, Brouwer would be disciplined by being refused the sacraments. O. D. Vander Sluis was again at this meeting, but the Consistory felt that there was no change in his attitude and he would remain under discipline. There is no mention that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was in attendance at this meeting. The Consistory members present were Wilterdink and Apeldoorn, elders, and Wilterdink, Plugger, and van den Berg, deacons.
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Meeting Notes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
William Buursma
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided at this meeting of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church. Several complaints of people were dealt with. Teunis Keppel suggested that since money was scarce, each man eighteen years and older should work one day in six to help pay for the minister's salary.
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Letter from Lewis Cass to A. C. Van Raalte
Lewis Cass and Hoyt G. Post
A letter to A.C.V.R. from Lewis Cass in Washington: I have the pleasure to inform you that an appropriation is reported in the improvement bill for $10,000 for Black River, and I assure you that no effort will be spared by the whole of our delegation to procure its final passage... Appended at the bottom of the letter is a note from Hoyt G. Post, dated, August 31: Above I give you my translation of Mr. Cass' letter...
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A Petition to the Hon. John S. Barry, Governor of the State of Michigan, Signed by Inhabitants of the County of Allegan, Concerning the Plank Road for Which the State Had Appropriated Funds in 1848.
Inhabitants of the County of Allegan
A petition to the Hon. John S. Barry, Governor of the State of Michigan, signed by inhabitants of the County of Allegan, concerning the plank road for which the state had appropriated funds in 1848. "One thousand acres from Grand haven to Black Lake which has been expended & a superb good road been constructed. One thousand acres from Black lake to Allegan. Flava? J. Littlejohn appointed special commissioner to expend the same. For some reason the said Littlejohn did not lay said road where it was intended by the Legislature. & on the second cay of April 1849. Littlejohn was removed & his acts repealed & Ira Chaffee of Allegan appointed special commissioner with instruction to proceed without delay to resurvey said road. Chaffee did not resurvey yet drew $1,150 from the auditor general and used up the money. There is still no road between Holland and Allegan even though some 5000 inhabitants live in the Colony. A mail route from Grand Haven to Allegan is to commence July 1. "There are several miles of said rout? that will have to be carried through the woods by a line of marked trees." A road is vitally needed. The petition is signed by 41 men including John R. Kellogg.
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A Report in the Grand River Eagle, p. 2, On the "Holland Colony-- Improvement—Soil—Crops—Harbor—Roads…" Which Was Printed in the Allegan Record on July 18th.
J. R. Kellogg
A report in the Grand River Eagle, p 2, on the "Holland Colony-- Improvement—Soil—Crops—Harbor—Roads, & c, & c." which was printed in the Allegan Record on July 18th. The report was written by J. R. Kellogg, a judge who befriended Van Raalte. Hawks and Bassett are the editors of the Allegan Record. Kellogg had just returned from a four day visit to the Holland Colony. He is astounded by the accomplishments of the colonists in just three years. Van Raalte took him on a tour of the Holland area and Vander Meulen of the Zeeland area. He was disappointed that not more had been done in the city but Van Raalte said it was more important to establish farming and get the harbor developed first. Kellogg deplores that the people of Allegan do not get a road built to the Holland area for flour is selling for $9 a barrel in the Colony while it is selling for only $5.25 in Allegan. He implies that the people of Allegan could benefit greatly in trade with the Hollanders. There must be a good road built between Allegan and Holland.
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An H. Uiterwijk Had an Account with Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte
Simone Kennedy
An H. Uiterwijk had an account with Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. Uiterwijk did a number of tasks for Van Raalte for which he was paid for days worked from 8 June to 16 November.
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Letter from "E. H. L." to Mr. Lewis Printed in the Marshall Statesman and Copied in the Grand River Eagle
E. H. L.
A letter of "E. H. L.", of Holland, Michigan, written to a Mr. Lewis and printed in the Marshall Statesman, and copied in the Grand River Eagle, September 16, 1850, about the Holland Colony. The author of the letter has lived in Holland for a year now.
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A Brief Memo to the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte from Charles Noble
Charles Noble
A brief memo to the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte from Charles Noble.
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The Account of Pieter F. Phanstiehl
Pieter F. Phanstiehl
The account [rekening] of Pieter F. Phanstiehl. The account was possibly with the Colony's store.
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Account of A. C. Van Raalte with the Plugger Store
A. Plugger and Henry ten Hoor
This account with the Plugger Store contains approximately the list of purchases for only six months. It too details what the family of Rev. and Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte needed from this general store. From this account and the previous one, one could pretty well know what the Van Raaltes ate and wore.
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An Excerpt from the Diary of Hoyt G. Post
Hoyt G. Post
An excerpt from the diary of Hoyt G. Post in which he stated that he attended "Van Raalte's church" today. Van Raalte was not in good health, preaching "with difficulty." Van Raalte preached on Luke 2:13-14. He then adds to his comments, "The more I see of the Dutch, the more I see that disgusts me, they really are far below the standard of enlightenment." Post adds some particulars in his severe criticism of them.
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Hoyt G. Post Diary Entry
Hoyt G. Post
An entry in the diary of Hoyt G. Post in which he stated that he attended Van Raalte's church with his older brother. "Mr. Van Raalte evinced much satisfaction to see us, and was very agreeable during the short dine we had to see him at intermission. The more I see Mr. Van Raalte the more! see to admire." [page 14ff]
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Received from Albertus C. Van Raalte, Upon the Following Described Tracts of Land, the Sums Stated Below, for the Taxes Assessed in Said Town for the Year 1849.
Township Treasurer's Office, Holland, Ottawa County, Michigan
"Township Treasurer's Office, Holland, Ottawa County, Michigan. Received from Albertus C. Van Raalte, upon the following described tracts of land, the sums stated below, for the Taxes assessed in said Town for the year 1849." Hoyt G. Post wrote up the account. At this date, A.C.V.R. owned 546 lots and 1,011 acres. Apparently A.C.V.R. has by now taken over the ownership of the unsold lots in the Village of Holland.
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The Minutes of the Classis of Holland
C. Van Der Meulen
The minutes of the Classis of Holland, meeting in the home of Elder Broek, in Holland. Representatives from six churches are present. Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen was elected president. Albertus C. Van Raalte reported that he visited Wisconsin. He also reported on his trip to Schnectady where the Particular Synod of New York met. One issue discussed at the synod meeting was whether the Classis of Holland be accepted as an already organized classis or if the churches be accepted separately and then organized into a classis. The members of the Particular Synod were "eager for the union." Van Raalte pointed out to the Synod the great need for education of the youth. Other major items of this Classis session were: the proposed publication of an English weekly with some columns in the Dutch language, Rev. Hendrik Klein was leaving for Milwaukee, and the subject of incestuous marriage. Rev. Vander Meulen proposed that the Classis of New York be asked to provide some financial support for Holland Classis ministers. A.C.V.R. was appointed to write the letter.
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A. C. V. R.'s Account with J. Van Der Veen Who Operated a Hardware Store
J. Van der Veen and Henry ten Hoor
A.C.V.R.'s account with J. Van der Veen who operated a hardware store. The account was concluded on September 18, 1852.
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A Page from A. C. V. R.'s Account Book Dealing with Property Transactions. This Particular Page Depicts the Account of Jan Binnekant.
A. C. Van Raalte
A page from A.C.V.R.'s account book dealing with property transactions. This particular page depicts the account of Jan Binnekant.
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Certificate of Marriage Between Antonie Van Rij and Jacoba Westveer
A. C. Van Raalte
"Certificate of Marriage. This is to certify that Antonie van Rij of Holland Ottawa Michigan aged 33 years and Jacoba Westveer of the same place aged aged 31 years were joined in matrimony by me in the place of public worship in Holland in the presence of A. Verhorst and A. Pluggers of Holland on the 10 April in the year of our Lord 1850. Holland Ottawa Mich. 10 April 1850 A. C. Van Raalte Minister of the gospel."
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to "His Excellency the Vice President of the U.S. Millard Fillmore"
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte, to "His Excellency the Vice President of U. S. Millard Fillmore," concerning his support for the petition for the Holland Harbor. Holland is the largest settlement on the Western Side of Michigan. Milwaukee is directly across the lake from Holland. The appropriation is vital for the Colony.
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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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The Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Wrote the County Clerk and Reported to Him the Marriages He Conducted During the Previous Months
A. C. Van Raalte
On this date, the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte wrote the County Clerk and reported to him the marriages he conducted during the previous months. The people at whose marriage he officiated were: Jan Pauels and Maaike Schaap, July16, 1849; Gijsbert Ferrij and Romkje Brouwer, July 21, 1849; Arent Jan Hesselink and Trijntje Oostlindie [?], November 24, 1849; Arent Stander and Geertru[de] Zoerrnan, June 27, 1850; Jannes Porte and Annigje Huizinga, March 17 1850; Hendricus Uiterwijk and Antonina de Priester born Labee April 7, 1850; and Antonie van Rij and Jacoba Westveer, April 1850
