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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County Treasurer Receipts That A. C. V. R. Purchased Tax Delinquent Land of 160 Acres for $5.74.
A. C. Van Raalte and County Treasurer
County Treasurer receipts showing that A.C.V.R. purchased tax delinquent land of 160 acres for $5.74.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Paulus Den Bleyker
A. C. Van Raalte, Elisabeth Dekker, and Simone Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Paulus den Bleyker of Kalamazoo, proposing how den B can float a loan with the help of Mr. Ransom who plans to set up an investment bank in Lansing. Ransom was governor of the state in 1848 and 1849.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Paulus Den Bleyker
A. C. Van Raalte, Elisabeth Dekker, and Simone Kennedy
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to Paulus den Bleyker, Kalamazoo, Michigan, in which Van Raalte expresses the desire to meet with den Bleyker. V.R. would be willing to go to Kalamazoo but hopes that den B. will come to Holland. There is scant information about what the men wish to discuss but V.R. gives a good picture of his piety and theological understanding of Providence. A Mr. Ransom is mentioned, likely Epaphroditus Ransom, one-time governor of the State of Michigan.
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Published a News Item in the Sheboygan Nieuwsbode That His Family Was Looking for a Hired Girl Who Could Cook
A. C. Van Raalte and Hall
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte published a news item in the Sheboygan Nieuwsbode that his family was looking for a hired girl who could cook. Also, Rev. Mr. Hall of Marshall wrote that hired girls sent to a Mr. Gorham had a very good reputation and two or three more young women could find work with some small families presumably in Marshall. "So if there still are girls who would like to be placed in this truly Christian environment, please report this to me as soon as possible."
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Published a News Item in the Sheboygan Nieuwsbode That His Family Was Looking for a Hired Girl Who Could Cook
A. C. Van Raalte, Hall, and Nella Kennedy
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to the Holland Community Published in De Hollander
A. C. Van Raalte and Giles Van de Wall
A letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte to the Holland community which was published in De Hollander on November 30, 1850, volume I, number 9. V.R. said that the Hollanders were being deprived of national news and consequently of knowledge of American life because this community had no newspaper. Therefore, the publishers have established this paper. V.R. has been asked to write a column for it. He hopes that the paper will be an effective instrument for instructing the local people on what is happening. He also invited others to join him in providing information for the paper. Hawks and Bassett were the owners and Moses Hawks was the publisher. Giles Van de Wall would serve as the translator.
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A Letter of Albertus Van Raalte Was Published in the Report of the Board of Domestic Missions
Albertus C. Van Raalte
In the 1850 report of the Board of Domestic Missions, a letter of Albertus C. Van Raalte was published that was dated 11 September 1849. Van Raalte was hoping to get the funding for a minister to serve in the Holland Colony such as Rev. Budding.
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A. C. V. R.'s Account with J. V. D. Luyster, Jr. from May 27 to July 27, 1850.
J. v.d. Luyster
A.C.V.R.'s account with J. v. d. Luyster, Jr. from May 27 to July 27, 1850. Purchases include soap and eggs.
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A Letter from a Detroit Law Firm Quoted by Hyma, p. 164, About Land Purchases for the Holland Kolonie
J. L. Whiting and Adams
A letter from a Detroit law firm quoted by Hyma, p. 164, about land purchases for the Holland Kolonie.
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Letter from the Firm J. L. Whiting and Adams to A. C. Van Raalte
J. L. Whiting and Adams
A letter from the firm of J. L. Whiting and Adams to A.C.V.R., stating that they had received by Mr. Post a package of deeds and certificates. The firm is to research the titles for A.C.V.R. See Hyma, page 164.
