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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A Minute in the Record of the Township of Holland
A minute in the record of the Township of Holland that A. C. Van Raalte appeared before the board to moderate the struggle between John Roost and the board members. The board felt that Roost still owed monies from his collecting tour the previous year during which he raised money in the East for the Holland Harbor.
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Meeting Notes of the Board of Regents of the Holland Academy
At this meeting of the Board of Regents of the Holland Academy, it was duly noted that now Albertus C. Van Raalte was Dr. Van Raalte because he had received a Doctor of Divinity degree from New York University. It was also noted that "Ds. Phelps, the Brother appointed in place of Ds. Van Vleck, being present, was cordially welcomed as [a] Member of the Meeting." Several actions relating to students were passed.
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Meeting Notes of the Board of Regents of the Holland Academy
At this meeting of the Board of Regents of the Holland Academy, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not among those present. The regents noted that there was a difference in the account books of Van Raalte and Rev. John Van Vleck. The necessary changes were asked for by the board to account for the differences. The Van Vlecks submitted a board bill of $164.45. Article five read as follows: "Resolved—that he (V. Vleck) be permitted to make a statement of some affairs, wh. have occurred between himself and Dr. [or Ds.] Van Raalte. Later in the meeting Van Vleck's resignation was noted and a statement made: "Resolved—That, in view of the gifts and qualifications with which God has adorned this brother, of the pleasure which his stay among us had afforded us, of the unpleasant circustances which oblige him to leave us, we regret his indisposition, and hope that God may restore his health, so as to enable him to be useful in his Church, and that his plan may soon be filled in order that the work of training the young may proceed." Van Vleck would be leaving Holland next Monday and no successor was yet appointed. The meeting was adjourned with prayer by Rev. Van Vleck.
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Meeting Notes of the Board of Regents of the Holland Academy
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was among those present at this "Extra meeting" of the Board of Regents of the Holland Academy. Ivan [?] Bahler, Gerrit Dangremond, and Martin Van Den Berg were recommended for aid from the Board of Eduction.
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Report in the Allegan Journal
A report from Lansing in the Allegan Journal, p. 2, about the bill concerning the Holland Harbor in the Legislature. The bill, recommended by the committee, was "to provide for the drainage and reclamation of the swamp lands in townships number six nort, of rage 14 and 15 west, and to aid the township of Holland, in the improvement of the harbor at the mouth of North Black River in said township."
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Report in the Allegan Journal
It is reported in the Allegan Journal, p. 3, that A. C. Van Raalte and P. J. Oggel are in attendance at the meeting of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Albany, New York.
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Report in the Allegan Journal Taken from the Ottawa Register
A full report in the Allegan Journal, p. 2, on the wedding of Albertus C. Van Raalte (Jr.) and Helena Hofman, as reported first in the Ottawa Register, February 8. The couple was married in the Church and the wedding dinner was held in the Van Raalte home. Dr. Van Raalte read a poem in honor of the occasion. Students of the Holland Academy came after the dinner and sang a number composed for the occasion. Rev. Giles Vandewall gave thanks to the host and hostess for the occasion. It then added that young Albertus was only 16 days old when his father "was cast into prison, for holding religious meetings." The next evening many young people gathered at the Van Raalte home to greet the couple.
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Report on the Holland Colony in the Allegan Journal
A fairly extensive report on the Holland Colony in the Allegan Journal, P. 3. The original copy is in poor condition and some of the report is hard to read.
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Resolutions of the Executive Committee of the Board of Education of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church Published in the Christian Intelligencer
Several resolutions were made by the Executive Committee of the Board of Education of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church regarding the Holland Academy and published in this issue of The Christian Intelligencer. The board affirms that the academy is an institution of the church, that students who have graduated from it have attended Rutgers College and New Brunswick Seminary, that the current needs are valid, and that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte be supported in his efforts to raise funds for the academy. V.R. has undertaken the "unpleasant and self—denying labor of soliciting..."
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Article Published in De Hollander
Thomas De Witt
An article published in De Hollander, entitled, "Een bezoek aan de Hollandsche Kolonie in Michigan," by Thomas De Witt of New York
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Article Published in the Christian Intelligencer and Republished in the New York Observer and Chronicle
Thomas De Witt
On this date there appeared in an issue of the New York Observer and Chronicle a copy of the article on the Holland Colony written by Rev. Thomas De Witt and published in the Christian Intellingencer.
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Article "The Holland Colony in Michigan" in the Christian Intelligencer
Thomas De Witt
The Christian Intelligencer published an article on this date written by "T.D.W." or Dr. Thomas De Witt, a pastor of the Collegiate Church in New York City, entitled "The Holland Colony in Michigan." The author gave a brief history and description of the Holland Colony and the coming of the Dutch to the Middle West. The Holland Colony, he was told, numbered between "five and six thousand." De Witt had visited the Colony a few months previous. He also spoke of Rev. Albertus Van Raalte's concern for education.
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Report in the Christian Intelligencer
Thomas De Witt
A detailed report of the visit of Dr. Thomas De Witt, pastor of the Collegiate Church in New York City was published on this date in The Christian Intelligencer. The lengthy account of his visit included his stop in Grand Haven where he experienced the hospitality of Rev. and Mrs. Pieter J. Oggel. The drive to Holland took six hours. He enjoyed the hospitality of Rev. Albertus and Mrs. Christina Van Raalte. "Having remained with them three days, I cannot but pay a passing tribute to Mrs. Van Raalte. I was deeply impressed with what appeared to me her intelligent and deep-toned piety, and one who was well fitted to be the companion of our brother, in all the sacrifices, toils, and hardships he has been called to encounter." Van Raalte convinced De Witt about the importance of the Holland Harbor. The report is rich in details and a valuable report on Holland at that time.
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An Article Published in The Christian Intelligencer Was Republished in De Hollander
Thomas De Witt and The Christian Intelligencer
Two weeks after an article by Dr. Thomas De Witt, pastor of the Collegiate Church in New York City, was published about the Holland Colony in The Christian Intelligencer, the editor of De Hollander published a Dutch translation of the brief history and description of the Holland Colony on this date.
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Report in De Hollander
H. Doesburg and Henry ten Hoor
Editor H. Doesburg reported in De Hollander on this date that Dr. Bernardus Ledeboer has agreed conditionally to move his medical practice from Grand Rapids to Holland. The doctor is a "practicing internal physician, surgeon and obstetrician." The doctor was in town for a few days to view the situation. A subscription list was set up to encourage the doctor to come. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte's name headed the list with a gift of a building lot. About sixty other people signed the list assuring the doctor of a good practice.
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Article in De Hollander About the Holland Academy
H. Doesburg, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy
An article in De Hollander on this date about the Holland Academy. The writer of the article, presumably the editor H. Doesburg, has been reading about Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte's fund raising trip out East and the opposition that came to the fore about it in The Christian Intelligencer, the denominational weekly. A writer in the weekly going under the letter, "W," raised questions about the efforts of Van Raalte. The opposition gave rise to encourage the supporters of the Holland Academy to defend it vigorously. The purpose of the fund raising trip was "for paying the debt on the building, for adding rooms, for assisting instructors, and a dining room to ease the work of the headmaster in feeding the students, and also to provide a scientific apparatus and to buy some land near the building..." The executive committee of the academy board voted to express their thanks to Dr. Van Raalte for "the unpleasant and unselfish labor involved in collecting the required amount...."
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Report in De Hollander
H. Doesburg, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy
Editor H. Doesburg reported in this issue of De Hollander that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was now out east. Several ministers such a [Giles] Van de Wall, [Adrian] Zwemer, [Gerrit J.] Nijkerk, and [Pieter J.] Oggel had supplied the pulpit at First Reformed Church. The church was very full last Sunday because Oggel was expected to preach for the last time prior to his departure for Pella, Iowa.
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The Commission to Philip Phelps from the Board of Missions of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church and a Letter from John Garretson to Philip Phelps
John Garretson, Philip Phelps, and Board of Missions of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church (Commission)
April 5, 1859; The Commission to Philip Phelps from the Board of Missions of the General Synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church for the term of 12 months to serve as missionary at Holland. The Board would support him in the amount of $400. April 12, 1859; A letter to Phelps from John Garretson, Corresponding Secretary of the Board, about the call to serve the Academy.
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Note in De Hollander
Nella Kennedy
A news note in De Hollander that A. C. Van Raalte is out East and mentioning the ministers who are covering his pulpit for him.
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The Minutes of the Classis of Holland
Nella Kennedy
The minutes of the Classis of Holland at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte is elected president since the formally elected president was absent. V.R. is an examiner in theology for the examination of W. A. Houbolt, a graduate of the Theological School in Kampen the previous year and called to serve the Dutch immigrant congregation in Grand Rapids.
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News Item in De Hollander
Simone Kennedy
A news item which appeared in De Hollander on this date informed the community that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte had the privilege and joy to officiate at the wedding of his son, Albertus, to Helena Hofman. The wedding took place in the First Reformed [Pillar) Church. The reception was held in the home of Albertus and Christina Van Raalte.
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News Note in De Hollander
Simone Kennedy
A news note in De Hollander reported that Dr. C. P. Marsh moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. The buckwheat crop was hit badly by the recent frost. "...The Lord makes rich and poor, he is sovereign."
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News Note in De Hollander
Simone Kennedy
A news note in De Hollander reported on the visit of Rev. Isaac N. Wyckoff to the city. He was very well received again. He even gave part of his address in Dutch. He had been in the ministry for forty five years and it was likely it would be his last visit to Holland.
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Letter from Hendrik G. Klijn to A. C. Van Raalte Published in De Hollander
Hendrik G. Klijn and Henry ten Hoor
Rev. Hendrik G. Klijn wrote Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte on 1 September. The letter was printed in the De Hollander on this date, saying that his leg was healing from his fall reported on 21 July in this paper. He is able to sit up and to walk occasionally. He hopes to be back in his pulpit in two weeks. Rev. Jacob Chamberlain will be visiting his congregation that Sunday and preaching in the evening. The three children have been ill. His wife is bearing up under the strain.
