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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It Was Reported in the Holland City News, p. 4, That the Revs. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Roelof Pieters, and A. T. Stewart Presided at the Funeral of Mr. Frederik Van Der Belt, a Veteran of the Civil War Who Was a Member of Company I, the 25th Michigan Infantry
It was reported in the Holland City News, p. 4, that the Revs. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Roelof Pieters, and A. T. Stewart presided at the funeral of Mr. Frederik Van Der Belt, a veteran of the Civil War who was a member of Company I, the 25th Michigan Infantry.
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News Item in Holland City News
In the issue of this date of the Holland City News there appears this paragraph: The old homestead of Dr. [Albertus C.] Van Raalte, which is being enlarged and veneered with brick, has not been finished this fall, and a part of the work will have to be completed in the spring.
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On This Date, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Made a Purchase of Flooring for the Enlargement of His Home on the East Side of Town from Boone and Company
Boone and Company
On this date, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte made a purchase of flooring for the enlargement of his home on the east side of town from Boone and Company. The purchase was recorded in the company's daybook.
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John J. Brower, Treasurer of the Board of Direction of the Reformed Church in America Acknowleged the Payment of $70 for Interest on Two Bonds and Mortgages by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte
John J. Browwer
John J. Brower, treasurer of the Board of Direction of the Reformed Church in America acknowledged the payment of $70 for interest on two bonds and mortgages by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte.
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Julia Gilmore, Now Mrs. Ben Van Raalte, Wrote Her Brother, Darius Gilmore
Julia Gilmore and Erica D. Heeg
Julia Gilmore, now Mrs. Ben Van Raalte, wrote her brother, Darius Gilmore in Fairview, Illinois. She writes that Ben is busy with his implement business. He is also the school treasurer, which includes the task of collecting taxes. The baby daughter loves her white kitten. The household, a family of seven, (counting Ben, Julia, the baby, the hired girl, brother Dirk, and two hired men) is busy. Passing on some family gossip, Julia tells Darius that Will Gilmore has "very, very few friends here," and only President Phelps and Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte favor his return.
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There is a Long Report of the Reunion of the Twenty-Fifty Michigan Infantry in the Holland City News
Erica D. Heeg
There is a long report of the reunion of the Twenty-Fifty Michigan Infantry in the Holland City News, p. 4. It includes the list of visitors such as Governor J.J. Bagley and Senator Ferry, who both attended the event. At the program in the Public Square [now Centennial Park?], Mayor Van Landegend introduced Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, who "delivered a short address of greeting." The writer went on to say that, "His remarks were eminently appropriate to the occasion and were received with enthusiasm. He pictured the parting of the members of the regiment, that left our city in 1862, with the prayers and God speeds' of mothers, sisters, and wives; and after fervently thanking God for the results of the war, he earnestly hoped that the angel of Peace might swell with us in the future." The Honorable D.B.K. Van Raalte was also on the program.
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"James B. Humphrey, Judge of Probate for Allegan County, Wrote Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Concerning the Fact that Van Raalte Had Paid Humphrey a $12.00 Postal Money Order to the Law Firm of Williams and Humphrey."
James B. Humphrey and Erica D. Heeg
James B. Humphrey, Judge of Probate for Allegan County, wrote Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte concerning the fact that Van Raalte had paid Humphrey a $12.00 postal money order to the law firm of Williams and Humphrey.
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The Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Church of Saugatuck Extended a Call to Rev. H. Boer
G. Jonkhoff, J. Ensing, John Nis, H. Takken, and Harm van Spyker
The elders and deacons of the Reformed Church of Saugatuck extended a call to Rev. H. Boer. The call was signed by G. Jonkhoff, J. Ensing, John Nis, H. Takken and Harm van Spyker. The call was approved by the Classis of Holland committee consisting of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Rev. Hendrik Uiterwijk, and Teunis Keppel.
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De Hollander Also Published a Report on the Reunion of the 25th Michigan Regiment That Took Place in Holland
Simone Kennedy
De Hollander also published a report on the reunion of the 25th Michigan Regiment that took place in Holland. It was a lengthy report. The reunion was opened with prayer by Dr. Philip Phelps, Jr. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte made his address. "He encouraged the soldiers to take up their arms for more worthy battles than the one in which they had served, namely to fight under the banner of King Jesus for truth and justice." In the "Hall," 400 guests were served dinner. Eight toasts were given.
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Paid Up His Bill with H. H. Kok for $13.35
H. H. Kok
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte paid up his bill with H.H. Kok for $13.35. (The bill seems to be for purchase of some farm machinery parts.)
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Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Mary Otterness
The Council of Hope College met in special session with Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte in the chair. A letter from Pres. Philip Phelps Jr. was read, explaining his absence. A letter from Rev. Walter Beardslee was read. He declined the position offered him as Financial Agent. Then Prof. Charles Scott was elected Financial Agent but he declined also. [This may have been the last meeting of the council that Van Raalte attended.]
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Paid Up His 1874 Bill with the Panels, Van Putten & Co., for Flour, "Fine Meal," and Other Food Stuffs As Well As for 1343 Feet of Pine in the Amount of $128.41
Pauels, Van Putten & Co.
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte paid up his 1874 bill with the Panels, Van Putten & Co. for flour, "fine meal," and other food stuffs as well as for 1343 feet of pine in the amount of $128.41.
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Received a Statement That He Had Made His Final Payment on His Account with Pauels, Van Putten & Co., for the Amount of $218.05
Pauels, Van Putten & Co.
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte received a statement that he had made his final payment on his account with Pauels, Van Putten & Co. for the amount of $218.05. Items purchased included 1,000 feet of fencing and twenty bushels of oats.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
R. Pieters and J. Schrader
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Rev. Roelof Pieters presided, the consistory hoped that Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte would be able to fill the pulpit during the absence of the pastor who will be on a trip to the Netherlands.
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Meeting Minutes of the Consistory of the First Reformed Church
Pijster J. Schrader, William Buursma, and Althea Buursma
At a meeting of the consistory of the First Reformed Church at which Elder Pijster was chosen president, the consistory "decided as an acknowledgment and appreciation to give a present of $25.00 to Dr. van Raalte for the assistance he has given in catechism teaching and preaching. Brother van den Berge was appointed to implement this."
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Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
Although Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was no longer a member of the executive committee of the Council of Hope College, he was present at this meeting.Pres. Philip Phelps Jr. was elected president and Rev. Abel T. Stewart, secretary. The committee met again the second Monday of November at which Van Raalte was present again and even called to the chair. There is more information but the minutes are difficult to decipher.
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Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
The major purpose of the meeting of the Council of Hope College were the examinations of students. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was in the chair. On the 30th, a major discussion at the meeting was the report of the Board of Education of the Reformed Church in America about the board's understanding as to the actual financial situation at the college. The report noted that the assets of the college were "very much overestimated." "Suitable practical business men" were to be appointed for the disposal of real estate. The treasurer, in his letter to the council, said he was not able to report without the aid of Pres. Phelps. However, the president was ill and could not attend this meeting unfortunately. [Could Phelps be ill due to the mounting financial problems at the college?]
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Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
At the meeting of the Council of Hope College, Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte is back in the chair after a considerable absence. His official position was as a representative of the Synod of Chicago. The council made a serious plea to the General Synod for additional financial support. The council "...has been compelled to assume obligations even beyond its measure of ability...."
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Meeting Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
Both Dr. John L. See, secretary of the Board of Education of the Reformed Church in America, and Dr. David Cole, representing the General Synod, were present at this meeting of the Council of Hope College that met for three days, concluding on February 26th. Most of the sessions were concerned with college finances but no particulars were given by the secretary in his minutes. It was mentioned that Rev. Giles Mandeville was on campus to lecture to the Fraternal Society. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present. Rev. John H. Karsten took the chair. The council was optimistic that enough money would be collected for the Ebenezer Fund that its interest would fund the expenses of the Grammar School.
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Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
At this meeting of the Council of Hope College, Dr. Albertus C. Van Raate was again elected president of the council. Rev. Abel T. Stewart was again elected secretary also. The minutes are not clear that Van Raalte was in the chair but it was likely that he was. Examinations of students were held. Pres. Philip Phelps Jr. was in attendance. It was resolved that a financial agent be appointed in order to raise "not less than $100,000 for instruction in the Academic Dept." Persons on the real estate committee reported progress. From all the actions taken at these sessions of the council over several days, one gets the impression that the college must operate on a better business basis.
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Excerpts from Zes Maanden in Amerika by M. Cohen Stuart, Published by Kruseman and Tjeenk Willink, Haarlem, the Netherlands, 1875, pp. 300-323
M. Cohen Stuart and Harry Boonstra
Excerpts from Zes Maanden in Amerika by M. Cohen Stuart, published by lituseman and Tjeenk Willink, Haarlem, the Netherlands, 1875, pp. 300-323. Stuart describes his visit to the Colony and reports on his visits with Cornelius Vander Meulen and A. C. Van Raalte. He describes Van Raalte at some length. "He is one of those people with whom one cannot associate without becoming richer in spirit and heart, in wisdom and love."
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A News Item in De Hollander Published On This date Informed the Community That Arrangements Were Being Made to Enlarge the Burial Ground, Pilgrim Home Cemetery, Presumably
Henry ten Hoor
A news item in De Hollander published on this date informed the community that arrangements were being made to enlarge the burial ground, Pilgrim Home Cemetery, presumably. Some of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte's property is involved in the project.
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A Report Was Published in De Hollander On This date About the Celebration of Memorial Day in Holland
Henry ten Hoor
A report was published in De Hollander on this date about the celebration of Memorial Day in Holland. The parade consisted of the Holland City Band, the Fire Department, veterans, members of the City Council and many other people. Addresses were given by Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte, Rev. Abel T. Stewart, pastor of Hope Reformed Church, Rev. J. Vander Meulen of Muskegon, and "others." Flowers were strewn on the graves of the fallen soldiers.
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A Document Composed by A. C. Van Raalte Describing the Coming of the Dutch to Holland in 1847
A. C. Van Raalte
A document composed by A. C. Van Raalte describing the coming of the Dutch to Holland in 1847; in English. He did consider rewriting of the piece.
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A Letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps; more on the controversy over Gilmore's appointment. "The generous ambitious impulsive laborous Ds. Uiterwyk lacks practical wisdom and weight, is easily a tool, will be stirred up by others." (A.C.V.R. apparently disliked all people who disagreed with him.)
