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 Brief Paragraph Appeared in an Issue of the Saturday Evening Post
A brief paragraph appeared in an issue of the Saturday Evening Post. It reads as follows: Holland, in Michigan, is a town of three thousand inhabitants, all Dutch. It is as clean as any trans-Atlantic Dutch city, supports three Dutch papers, and the Dutch language is the only one spoken.
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A Note, Not in A. C. V. R.'s Handwriting, Stating that the Van Raalte's Son-in-Law, Pieter J. Oggel, Had Died at the Age of 40 Years
A note, not in A.C.V.R.'s handwriting, stating that the Van Raalte's son-in-law, Pieter J. Oggel, had died at the age of 40 years. Undoubtedly this was a blow to the entire Van Raalte family and to Hope College where he was teaching.
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A Petition of Electors in Holland Regarding the Financing of a Railroad to Holland by the Allegan and Holland Rail Road Company
A petition of electors in Holland regarding the financing of a railroad to Holland by the Allegan and Holland Rail Road Company. Among those who signed the document are Teunis Keppel, Kommer Schaddelee, Jan D. Werkman, Edward J. Harrington, Henry D. Post, J. Coatsworth, Charles Scott, and Hein Vander Haar.
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Meeting of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America
At the meeting of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte was elected Professor of "Evangelistic Theology," and Rev. Philip Phelps, Jr., Professor of Exegetical Theology. Both Phelps and Van Raalte were in attendance at the synod.
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Meeting Minutes of the Classis of Holland
William Buursma, Althea Buursma, and William Kennedy
A meeting of the Classis of Holland was held in the First Reformed Church of Holland. "By motion of Dr. Van Raalte, it was decided to appoint a committee to carry out the organization of a congregation" at Beaverdam, Michigan. Van Raalte was also elected to serve as a delegate to the Classis of Grand River. In addition, Van Raalte was requested to keep the Classis informed about the work in Virginia. Van Raalte addressed the Classis on mission work as well. Even though Van Raalte was now retired, he continued to take an active part in the work of the Classis, surely with the advancement of the Amelia colony cause in mind.
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A Request to Bernardus Grootenhuis, Supervisor of the Township of Holland, by Electors of the Township in Order to Pledge Aid for the Allegan to Holland Railroad.
B. Grootenhuis, D. Miedema, A. J. Hellebrand, and Mary Otterness
A request to Bernardus Grootenhuis, Supervisor of the Township of Holland, by electors of the township in order to pledge aid for the Allegan to Holland railroad. By a vote of 197 to 46, such aid was approved by the electors. The trustees for the election were Bernard Grootenhuis, D. Miedema and A. J. Hillebranus [7].
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A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Holland
B. Hedeboer and Henry D. Post
A resolution of the Common Council of the City of Holland, upon learning that A. C. Van Raalte "intends to leave for an indefinite period, and devote the greater part of his labors to the interests of a New Colony in Virginia," expresses its deep "regret for the removal of the founder of our City and Colony, their appreciation of his successful efforts in planting the Holland Colony, and laying the foundations of a large and prosperous community here,..."
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A Record of the Taxes Which A. C. V. R. Paid to the City of Holland for the Year 1868 in the Amount of $659.59
C. Hofman
A record of the taxes which A.C.V.R. paid to the City of Holland, C. Hofman, City Treasurer, for the year 1868 in the amount of $659.59. A.C.V.R. still owned a considerable amount of property in the City of Holland. The listing of the properties takes 13 pages.
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"Extracts from Proceedings of the Meeting of the Common Councils of the City of Holland Held June 11 A.D. 1869"
Marinus Hoogestegen and Erica D. Heeg
"Extracts from Proceedings of the Meeting of the Common Councils of the City of Holland held June 11th A.D. 1869." The city will commit $16,000 to the railroad project; bonds will be issued; by a vote of 105 to 0 in the first ward and 129 to 1 in the second ward, a large majority favored this action. "On motion of Alderman Van Schelven, 2nd by Alderman Van der Veen, and duly carried by an unanimous vote, it was Resolved, That the City of Holland do hereby grant and give the aid to said Railroad, in the manner and to the amount, specified in the request and notice calling for such Election."
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A Report on the Holland Colony in the Allegan Journal (Originally De Grondwet)
Hoogesteger, Mulder, and Mary Otterness
A report on the Holland Colony in the Allegan Journal, p. 1. The report is a translation (likely) of the item which was originally published in De Grondwet. The report is issued by Hoogesteger & M... r. Since this issue of De Grondwet burned in the Holland fire, this record has importance. Holland now numbers 3,000, has a considerable American and German element, two-thirds of the inhabitants know English, and John Roost sold out his share of the paper.
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A Mr. M. Hulsebos and P. Van Den Berg Have Written to the Editor of De Hope
M. Hulsebos, P. Van Den Berg, and Henry ten Hoor
A Mr. M. Hulsebos and P. Van Den Berg have written to the editor of De Hope which appeared in the January 20 issue giving a description of the Amelia Colony which Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte has promoted. The land is good, the climate is pleasant, and people are friendly. Anyone willing to work can make good progress there.
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A Deed for Property Purchased by Van Raalte in Amelia; and Copies of Other Deeds Involving Property Owned by Schieffelin of Later Dates
John G. Jefferson, Aletia Jefferson, Thomas T. Giles, and J. B. Clinton
A deed for property purchased by Van Raalte in Amelia; and copies of other deeds involving property owned by Schieffelin of later dates.
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De Hollander Took Note of the Fact That Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Conducted the Afternoon Service at the Third Reformed Church
Simone Kennedy
De Hollander took note of the fact that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte conducted the afternoon service at the Third Reformed Church. The worship service attracted a large crowd.
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Mayor Bernardus Ledeboer, Having Received a Request from Electors in the City of Holland, Regarding the Construction of a Railroad to Holland, Set June 10 to Vote Upon the Issue
Bernardus Ledeboer, E. Marinus Hoogestegen, and Erica D. Heeg
Mayor Bernardus Ledeboer, having received a request from electors in the City of Holland, regarding the construction of a railroad to Holland, set June 10 to vote upon the issue. It is signed by the same electors who signed the May 14 document.
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Meeting Minutes of the Classis of Holland
E. C. M. Oggel, William Buursma, Althea Buursma, and William Kennedy
At a special meeting of the Classis of Holland, Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was elected president pro tem in the absence of Rev. A. Cz. Kuijper. Van Raalte requested Classis to approve the organization of three congregations in Amelia, Virginia. Classis approved.
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A Fragment of a Letter to Albertus C. Van Raalte
Mary Otterness
A fragment of a letter to Albertus C. Van Raalte, used by Albert Hyma in his biography of Van Raalte, on pages 230ff.
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A News Item in the Allegan Journal
Mary Otterness
A news item in the Allegan Journal, p. 3, stating that the citizens of Holland, by a vote of 289-1, approved granting $16,000 for the railroad and the township of Holland also voted overwhelmingly for the support of the railroad. The editor was delighted.
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A Letter of Thos. Padgett of the Port Sheldon Lumber Co. to H. Van Eyck, Treasurer of the Harbor Board of Commissioners
Thos. Padgett and Erica D. Heeg
A letter of Thos. Padgett of the Port Sheldon Lumber Co. to H. Van Eyck, Treasurer of the Harbor Board of Commissioners, about a contract between the Harbor Commission and Van Raalte and Company.
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A Copy of the Financial Report Made by President Philip Phelps to the Council of Hope College, Seven Handwritten Pages in Length
Philip Phelps and Erica D. Heeg
A copy of the financial report made by President Philip Phelps to the Council of Hope College, seven handwritten pages in length. The report indicates that the financial health of the new college was precarious.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
R. Pieters, J. Schrader, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Article five in the minutes of the consistory of the First Reformed Church reads as follows: "It was decided that the family of Rev. van Raalte will continue to use the bench they are presently using and to add another bench next to it, reserving this for Rev. Pieters."
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
Keppel Schader, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
One of the matters under discussion at a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church was to award $50 to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte because the church was not able to pay the salary promised to Rev. Van Raalte last year.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
J. Schrader, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte attended the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church. Article six read as follows: "The matter of Student Buursma was discussed, and it was decided to receive this for information. Professor [Cornelius] Crispell [at Hope College and who taught in the program of theological education] will be informed that the consistory was satisfied with the public confession in the presence of the congregation, which was made by the above-mentioned brother. At this point, Dr. van Raalte left the meeting."
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
J. Schrader, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
Elder Kamper was chosen chairman of the consistory meeting of the First Reformed Church. Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte entered the meeting during its earlier part. It is implied from the minutes that Rev. Roelof Pieters accepted the call to serve the congregation because he inquired about the plan for the parsonage. "Dr. Van Raalte" asked if there were any objections to celebrating holy communion and there were none." It may be assumed then that Van Raalte would be conducting that service the following Sunday most likely.
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Various Eulogies in De Hope for Pieter J. Oggel
Charles Scott, J. Huizinga, G. Van De Kreeke, E. Van Der Hart, J. M. W. Oggel nee Van Raalte, A. C. Van Raalte, John A. De Spelder, C. Van Der Meulen, and Nella Kennedy
The death of Rev. Pieter J. Oggel was duly noted in this issue of De Hope. Prof. Charles Scott wrote a eulogy on behalf of the Hope College faculty. The eulogy of the theological students was written by J. Huizinga, G. Van De Kreeke, and E. Van Der Hart. The widow wrote the formal death notice. Dr. Albertus C. Van Ralate wrote a one-sentence statement about the loss of his beloved son-in-law. A long statement on behalf of the Fraternal Society was written by John A. De Spelder. The text of the funeral sermon preached by Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen was printed in full.
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Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
A lengthy meeting was held by the Council of Hope College, chaired by Pres. Philip Phelps, Jr. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present due to his residency in Amelia, Virginia, at that time. At the meeting on the 18th, officers were elected for the coming year: Van Raalte as president; Rev. John S. Joralmon, vice president; Rev. Abel T. Stewart, secretary; and Rev. Pieter J. Oggel, treasurer. This action indicated that Van Raalte would play a prominent role in the council as well as having his son-in-law, Pieter Oggel, as an officer. [Unfortunately, Oggel would die in December.]
