Van Raalte Papers: 1860-1869

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 Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, reporting on the battle for Atlanta.
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, who reported heavy fighting. Our company lost three: Alexander Jonkheer, fatally wounded; Cornelius Den Herder, slightly wounded and Darwin C. Huff received a flesh wound. Through God's mercy, the rest of us came through and were spared but we feel deep sympathy for our boys."
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, who reported on the activities of his regiment. He also said, "I sometimes wish that some of those Copperheads in the colony could be here to take part in the fighting and see whether or not they would think so much of the Rebs."
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, who reports that "Yesterday evening I received your letter of the 20th. The calling up of 500,000 suits me fine. I have no sympathy for those at home who are being drafted. In Holland they appear to be very scared. Doesburg is putting the fear of death into the hearts of the ignorant masses. They should burn his printing office....Col. Cooper of the 6th Tennesee is now Brigadier General... He looks like a Drenthe farmer....The packages you sent arrived in good shape."
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben. Apparently A.C.V.R. got as far down as Nashville and then could not go farther and so returned home. "When we wrote you we had no idea that you would not be permitted to go beyond Nashville." Dirk hopes to get a furlough to come home.
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, who reported that "This is a hard campaign - hard work and little sleep."
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben. "I had the pleasure of seeing Dirk on the hospital cars and he was in good health and fit."
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, who informs his parents that the hospital is to be moved to Chattanooga. Dirk still has not gotten his furlough.
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, who hopes that Dirk will get a furlough soon so that he can rejoin his regiment.
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben, who gives him the bad news that brother Dirk has been wounded and his right arm amputated. Ben suggests that his father come down and take Dirk home. Dirk is making good recovery, however. Dirk, while out riding, chanced upon a group of rebel soldiers who tried to take him prisoner. As Dirk spurred his horse suddenly, he was shot, but escaped from the enemy.
A Letter to A. C. Van Raalte from His Son, Ben.

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to A. C. Van Raalte from his son, Ben. "We make frequent moves and we will take Atlanta sooner or later by flanking movements." He began his letter on the 19th and finished it on the 22nd.
A Letter to Christine Van Raalte from Her Brother, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to Christine Van Raalte from her brother, Ben, who writes that "Gen. Sherman looks like an old broken-down farmer but he's a sharper. I have had the pleasure of seeing most of the generals in this army." The battle for Atlanta is furious.
A Letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from Her Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from her son, Ben, who said that "Some people and newspapers seem to think that we are not making rapid enough progress. They should be here for a while and they would be talking differently. Not a foot of advance is made without heavy fighting and it is not very pleasant to fight continuously. The same diet becomes monotonous. Not that the old soldiers are complaining - on the contrary, they know that perserverance is necessary. But that criticism from home isn't very pleasant to hear."
A Letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from Her Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from her son, Ben, who reported that Dirk continues to improve. He is up and around now. "The poor Rebs who fall into my hands are going to pay for Dirk's arm."
A Letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from Her Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from her son, Ben, who reported that "Yesterday we burned a large house, just like the Holland Academy. It was a beautiful fire and the boys enjoyed themselves." He gives her many details about the battle for Atlanta. No wonder she is worried about her sons' safety! "I received your package and letter and wish to thank you."
A Letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from Her Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from her son, Ben, who reported that "...Dirk is improving nicely."
A Letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from Her Son, Ben

Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from her son, Ben. He sends $12 for the clothing she sent him.
Christina, the Daughter of Rev. Albertus and Christina Van Raalte, Wrote to Mary Her Sister

Christina Van Raalte

Christina, the daughter of Rev. Albertus and Christina Van Raalte, attending school at Olivet College or the Female Seminary there, wrote her sister Mary about the health of her parents, her brothers Dirk and Ben who were now in Georgia and many personal concerns. Christina's handwriting is in English and her script is very beautiful. [Mary married Dr. Gerrit Kollen.]
A Brief Note to Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from Their Son, Dirk

Dirk Van Raalte and Clarence Jalving

A brief note to Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from their son, Dirk, who wrote, "I am doing well. I write with my left hand and Benjamin holds the paper smooth. You must not concern yourselves about me." This is followed by a letter from son, Ben. "Dirk is a peculiar fellow he tells them what they must do for him and whenever his stump is dressed he takes a mirror and examines it, telling them what to do. He has an extensive knowledge of wounds. He has the courage of a lion and doesn't want to be mustered out of the service after he is better....The first three days I was with Dirk continuously so I got no sleep... .They say that Atlanta has fallen and I am sorry that I was not there...P.S....Dirk says father had better use his own judgment about coming or not. Do whatever he thinks he should do."
A Letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from Her Son, Dirk

Dirk Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

A letter to Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from her son, Dirk, who wrote that "Ben and I are both well and the other Hollanders also. We now lie behind our breastworks with Atlanta in sight....You worry about us too much. You must not do that - it doesn't do you any good and us either. We can bear our hardships very well....P.S. The fact that you do not get many letters from me is not my fault. I write frequently. Why doesn't Christina write?"
A Letter of Dirk Van Raalte to His Parents

Dirk Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

A letter of Dirk Van Raalte to his parents, asking them not to worry about him even though he has been wounded. His right arm was amputated but he is doing very well. His brother, Ben, is with him and taking care of him. His handwriting is poor because he is learning to write with his left hand.
A Property Transaction Between A. C. V. R. and Isaac Capon [sic] and His Partner, John Bertsch

A. C. Van Raaltte and Mary Otterness

A property transaction between A.C.V.R. and Isaac Capon [sic] and his partner, John Bertsch. A page from A.C.V.R.'s account book.
Meeting Minutes of the Congregation of the First Reformed Church

G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

Instead of meeting the third Monday in January as was noted in the November congregational meeting minutes, the congregation met this day. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte opened the meeting with prayer. A trio of candidates was formed consisting of Rev. B. [sic; must have meant A.] Brummelkamp, Rev. ten Bokkel and Rev. Winters. The total votes cast numbered 106. A committee was appointed to look into the matters of a parsonage and salary.
Meeting Minutes of the Congregation of the First Reformed Church

G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

At a meeting of the congregation of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, a financial report was given after the pastor opened with prayer. The total income for the year was $3,228.68. This total did not include the salary fund or the poor fund Elders and deacons were elected. Beeuwkes was chosen to replace Plugger. "The president presented to the congregation the need for a second pastor, a long-felt requirement:' The demands upon the pastor cannot be met by one person "even if he is young and healthy." The proposal was passed with 51 votes. The meeting was adjourned to the third Monday in January.
Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, membership of Mr. and Mrs. S. M. de Bruin [not R. de Bruin?] was accepted. He had already been elected as elder at the recent congregational meeting. There was a considerable discussion on the way the renting of pews was conducted at the January 1 meeting. It was decided to finish the balcony of the sanctuary. The treasurer of the Holland Academy requested that the "deacons speedily see to it that the monies of this congregation" be given over to him. The request was approved.