Van Raalte Papers: 1860-1869

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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.

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  A Letter to "Dear Brother" Albertus? from Ben Van Raalte

  Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

  A letter to "Dear Brother" Albertus? from Ben Van Raalte. Ben is living on a farm in the Confederate area which is 700 acres. The farmer owns 20 Negroes and 40 horses.

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  Ben Van Raalte Wrote a Letter to His Mother

  Ben Van Raalte, Clarence Jalving, and Nella Kennedy

  In a letter to his mother, Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte, her son, Ben, wrote that he was happy to learn that his father was getting better. However, he is very hurt that a rumour was going around that he did not shoot at the rebels and accuses Doesburg of the rumour. He witnessed a negro auction. Dirk is fine. He hopes to get more letters. Since he could not finish the letter on the 9th, he finished it on the 10th.

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  Letter from Christina to Her Parents A. C. and Christina Van Raalte

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kenendy

  Since Christina, the daughter of Rev. Albertus and Christina Van Raalte, was working in Kalamazoo at this time, it is assumed that this fragmentary letter is from her. The content of the letter is similar to previous ones in that she had not received letters from her brothers who were in the Union Army. Christina has been busy in the dress shop and plans to stay until she learns the trade.

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  A Fragment of a Letter to Rev. and Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte from Their Daughter Christina

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

  A fragment of a letter to Rev. and Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte from their daughter, Christina, who is working in Kalamazoo, stated that a Maartje Blekeris thought to think too highly of herself [Could this person be a daughter of Paulus den Bleyker and his wife?] Her dress shop repaired an American flag gratis. In gratitude for their work, Captain Dennison sent them a large sponge cake in gratitude for their work. Marinus Oggel sent greetings. She heard from Dirk and a Willem Van Putten.

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  Christina Van Raalte Reported to Her Parents, Rev. Albertus and Christina Van Raalte, That She Had Received the Ten Dollars They Had Sent

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

  Christina Van Raalte reported to her parents, Rev. Albertus and Christina Van Raalte, that she had received the ten dollars they had sent. Her board bill has been paid up for nine weeks. By next Monday she has been in Kalamazoo for thirteen weeks. She bought the new locket but it did cost $7.75. She had heard from Mina (Mrs. Pieter) Oggel and that the domine was ill. The shop girls were treated to a candy pull party that she enjoyed. Christina did not plan to come home until she has learned her trade. There were many soldiers in Kalamazoo but they "are such rough people."

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  Christina Van Raalte Writes a Letter to Her Parents

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

  In a letter to her parents, Rev. Albertus and Christina Van Raalte, daughter Christina thought that she could come home in four weeks. "I will have been in my shop for four months then and then my time is gone." She related many details about her work and life in Kalamazoo. [Christina is sixteen years of age at this point in her life.]

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  Christina Van Raalte Wrote Her Mother, Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

  Christina Van Raalte wrote her mother, Mrs. Albertus C. Van Raalte, congratulating her that her birthday was tomorrow, the 31st. She wished her "much blessing and that you will continue to be spared for us for a long time." She also enclosed a gift for her mother. Marinus Oggel told Christina that Rev. Pieter Oggel was returning to Holland. She also reported that she bought a book of music but the piano in the home where she boarded was not tuned. It is evident from her letter that the Van Raaltes had a piano in the family home.

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  Christina Van Raalte Wrote Her Mother, Mrs. Christina J. Van Raalte

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

  Christina Van Raalte wrote her mother, Mrs. Christina J. Van Raalte, that she has received the five dollars and was very appreciative of it. She will use the money to buy a locket. She made several comments about her life and work. Mrs. Pijster is her landlady who is very thrifty. The other girls in the shop think that they are superior to the Dutch girls. It was the talk of the town that Rev. Roelof Pieters may have declined a call.

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  Christina Van Raalte Wrote Her Parents, Rev. Albertus and Christina Van Raalte, and Her Sister, Mary

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

  On the same day Christina Van Raalte wrote her parents, Rev. Albertus and Christina Van Raalte, and her sister, Mary, she also wrote to her sister whom she calls Annie [Anna Sophia]. The letter includes a list of Christina's expenditures, apparently intended for her mother and father.

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  Christina Van Raalte Wrote Her Sister, Mary [Maria Wilhelmina Kollen]

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

  Christina Van Raalte also wrote her sister, Mary [Maria Wilhelmina Kollen],on this date telling her also that she hoped to come home in four weeks. She discusses several family matters with her sister. When Mina Oggel and family were coming to Kalamazoo, would the Van Raaltes be coming to pick them up? Was Mary still taking lessons from Mrs. Van Olinda?

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  Letter from Christina Van Raalte to Helena Van Raalte

  Christina Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy

  In a letter to Helena (Mrs. Albertus) Van Raalte, Christina Van Raalte wrote her sister-in-law that she hoped to receive a letter from her. Christina made a small present for little Anna She asked about Allie and Chrissie. She asked Helena to kiss brother Bertus and the children for her. Christina signed her letter as "Chrissie" because "that's what I am called here." [By this time, Albertus and Helena Hoffinan had three children. They had married in early 1859. Little Albertus was born 12 December 1859, Christine was born 8 June 1861, and Anna Helena was born 9 September 1862.]

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  A Letter of Dirk Van Raalte to His Parents in Holland

  Dirk Van Raalte

  A letter of Dirk Van Raalte to his parents in Holland, reporting on his experiences in the army. Dirk continues to work in the hospital. The camp is about one-half mile out of town. Dirk assures his mother that he is getting enough to eat.

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  Dirk Van Raalte Wrote His Father, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, About the Battle of Tebb's Bend in Which His Unit Had Fought

  Dirk Van Raalte

  Dirk Van Raalte wrote his father, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, about the battle of Tebb's Bend in which his unit had fought.

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  Dirk Van Raalte Wrote His Father, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, in Which He Described the Life and Behavior of African Americans

  Dirk Van Raalte

  Dirk Van Raalte wrote his father, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, in which he described the life and behavior of African Americans. Dirk described the kinds of wounds the men in his unit suffered. He also gave more details about the battle of Tebb's Bend. Dirk assisted in the medical care of the men.

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  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, another major discussion was held about the baptism of infants whose parents were not confessing members of the church. It was agreed, by majority vote, to baptize the Geluk child if the father would submit to the discipline of the church, be instructed in the faith, and support the church. Rev. Philip Phelps wrote the consistory with the request to purchase the orphanage and the lot on which it was situated. The consistory felt it could not sell the property due to the laws of the state but could rent the property. It was not stated why any laws of the state were involved in the matter. [Was the property originally and still owned by the Holland community?]

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  Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church

  G. Wakker, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma

  In a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte presided, it was noted that the July 17 meeting was not held due to insufficient number of members present. A report on church finances was presented. A committee reported that the painting of the church was contracted for $125.00. The paint was supplied the contractors through the efforts of Plugger. New members were received. Repairs and maintenance of the orphanage became the responsibility of four consistory men.

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  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, Elder Labots declared that he was unable to accept the appointment of catechism teacher. It was decided to add an additional elder and deacon to the consistory at the congregational meeting.

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  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, it was reported that work on the orphanage had not yet begun. The sum of $277.50 was pledged by the congregation for Rutgers College. A person appeared who wished to enter the membership of the church. However, since he was divorced, the consistory would not accept him but would bring the matter to the classis. The roof of the stables was developing leaks, preventing its use. A committee was appointed to make the improvements.

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  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, it was decided to paint the church even if the church had to borrow money at seven per cent interest in order to have the work done. When the women would come in to clean the church, attention should be paid to the lamps and carpets in the aisles. The congregation will be asked by the deacons to raise money for Rutgers College, consistory also decided.

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  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, new members were received. The clerk reported on the orphanage property. After further examination of the laws, it may be possible to sell the property with the permission of the congregation. Elder Labots was made the official catechism teacher of the congregation for which he would be paid. The pastor could not teach a Sunday evening catechism class after conducting two services on a Sunday.

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  Poem to "Dear Pastor Leraar"

  J. Wakker, J. Kroes, N. Kanters, A. Pfanstiehle, L. Binnekant, R. Struik, G. Wakker, K. Plugger, Henry ten Hoor, and Nella Kennedy

  A brief poem is addressed to "Dear Pastor (Leraar)." There is no indication who the Pastor is, but the document is found in the Van Raalte Collection at Calvin College. Apparently the signers are students in a class which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte or someone close to the family taught. The names of the students are appended as well as the date. The students are: J. Wakker, J. Kroes, N. Kanters, A. Phanstiehl, L. Binnekant, R. Struik, G. Wakker, and K. Plugger, all familiar Holland names of that period.

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  Meeting Minutes of the School Board of the Holland Academy

  Adrian Zwemer

  Rev. Philip Phelps Jr. and Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte were among those present at this session of the School Board of the Holland Academy. Rev. John Mason Ferris of Grand Rapids was also present. Two important guests were also present: a Dr. Taylor, vice president of the Board of Education of the denomination and Rev. John S. See, corresponding secretary of that board. Dr. Taylor may have been Benjamin Cook Taylor, pastor of the Old Bergen Reformed Church of Jersey City, New Jersey, or William James Romeyn Taylor, secretary of the American Bible Society. [See Historical Directory of the Reformed Church in America for details. See also a recognition of W. J. R. Taylor's link with Hope College, Minutes of the General Synod, 1892, p. 524.] The visitors were present "to acquire more intimate knowledge of the prospects and affairs of the Holland Academy, inquired after the Nature, power and some of the proceeding of the present School Board of the Holland Academy, concerning which there seemed to be some ignorance or misunderstanding." Both Van Raalte and Phelps spoke to the issues and apparently the visitors were satisfied with the information with which they were provided.

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  Meeting Minutes of the School Board of the Holland Academy

  Adrian Zwemer

  The School Board of the Holland Academy met on this date. The list of attendees was not given; Rev. Kohn?] Vander Meulen was chosen as president for the following year. Several students of varying ages were admitted to the academy. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte spoke on behalf of A. Huizenga.

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  The Minutes of the School Board of the Holland Academy

  Adrian Zwemer

  In the minutes of the School Board of the Holland Academy, among those present were Rev. Philip Phelps Jr. and Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte. Article 2 reads as follows: "The minutes of the former meeting were read and approved. It was resolved to change the heading in naming the Board, "School Board of the Holland Academy." --Being the nature of the Board solely a Classical Committee to manage the finds, relating to the Academy, of Classis Holland and Wisconsin. This board will not be overseeing the developing college since another board has been appointed and has that obligation. [Unfortunately, the minutes of the new board, the Board of Superintendents, are not known to exist at this point. E.J.B. 26 April 2007.] These particular minutes are important because all the students in the academy are named individually. No first names are given, however. Forty two students are listed. The board voted to call Rev. Peter J. Oggel, pastor of the First Reformed Church, Pella, Iowa, [and son-in-law of Van Raalte] as a teacher in the academy at a salary of $400 per year.