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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Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart
Pres.Philip Phelps Jr. was in the chair for this meeting of the executive committee of the Council of Hope College. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present because he was no longer a member of the executive committee.
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Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not in attendance at this meeting of the Council of Hope College. Rev. John H. Karsten was in the chair. Routine business was conducted. Rev. Henry Uiterwyk and Rev. Dirk Broek were appointed to the library committee. At the conclusion of the minutes this statement was made: "Resd that Doctor A. C. Van Raalte the pres. of the Council have our Christian Sympathies in his continued infirmities and our prayers for his restoration to health."
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Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte was not present at this spring session of the Council of Hope College. The meeting was called to order by Rev. John H. Karsten. A vote of thanks was voted for the gift of Samuel B. Schieffelin. Examinations of students were conducted. Profs. Scott and Crispell were thanked for filling in for Prof. Gerrit J. Kollen while he was out fundraising. More gifts of books to the library were reported. Many volumes came from the library of Rev. Abram Swits. The minutes of this meeting were poorly reported, leaving many blanks. The long-serving secretary, Abel T. Stewart, may have been tiring from his service as the faithful secretary for both the council and for its executive committee.
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Minutes of the Council of Hope College
Abel T. Stewart and Mary Otterness
There was a good attendance at this meeting of the Council of Hope College although both the president, Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte, and the secretary, Rev. Abel T. Stewart, were not in attendance. Van Raalte was again elected president of the council. Pres. Philip Phelps Jr. reported on class examinations. Prof. Cornelius Doesburg accepted the office of treasurer. Profs. Shields, Doesburg, and Kollen were experiencing arrears in their salaries. They will receive interest on what has not been paid them. The council also met on the 28th for examinations. "Doctor Van Raalte having sent in his resignation as a member of the Ex. Com. it was accepted."
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Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte Received a Statement of His Account with G. J. te Vaarwerk for Grocery Items Purchased from 23 April 1873 to 27 March 1874 in the Amount of $37.24 on Which Van Raalte Made the Final Payment on 1 July 1874.
G. J. te Vaarwerk
Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte received a statement of his account with G. J. te Vaarwerk for grocery items purchased from 23 April 1873 to 27 March 1874 in the amount of $37.24 on which Van Raalte made the final payment on 1 July 1874. Groceries included apples, butter, syrup, coffee, tea, rice, and oil. The bill also included items such as lamp triming, "frockery," and a lamp chimney.
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A Brief Letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps
A. C. Van Raalte
A brief letter of A. C. Van Raalte to Philip Phelps that Mks. Oggel, is ready at any time to deed the lot South of the Orphan House to the consistory of First Church.
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A Letter of A. C. Van Raalte to His Son, D. B. K.
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A. C. Van Raalte to his son, D. B. K., wanting to make sure that Dirk knew that Congress passed a law that Civil War veterans who lost limbs can receive a pension of $24 a month. He chides Dirk for not telling him more about what he is doing.
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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 about business matters and concurs in the appointment of Wm. B. Gilmore as principal of the Preparatory Department of Hope College.
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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, reporting that Cohen Stuart has given books to Hope College and other matters relating to Stuart.
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A Letter of A. C. V. R. to His Son, D. B. K.
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A.C.V.R. to his son, D.B.K., about his stay with a family in a sod house on the prairie. He has preached two Sundays now and installed a consistory. He also refers to his daughter-in-law, Helena, widow of his eldest son, Albertus, who is deceased and her children. Apparently A.C.V.R. and the family are supporting Helena and the grandchildren due to the mysterious disappearance or death of Albertus [jr.l. A.C.V.R. gives a full report on farming conditions in Kansas and the pioneering life.[As yet, I can find no information about the sudden disappearance of son, Albertus.]
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A Letter of A. C. V. R. to His Son, D. B. K.
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A.C.V.R. to his son, D.B.K., asking him to send A.C.V.R.'s mail to Cawker City and not to Rotterdam. A.C.V.R. is expecting funds from D.B.K. because he is nearly out of money. A.C.V.R. is currently living with a pioneer family. According to the Historical Directory of the RCA, a church in Rotterdam was organized in 1872. Apparently A.C.V.R. knew people in that church.
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A Letter of A. C .V. R. to Son, D. B. K.
A. C. Van Raalte
A letter of A.C.V.R. to son, D.B.K, about an immigrant apparently who felt that the Colony had an obligation to provide work. A.C.V.R. makes it clear that such is not the case. "Do not impute such brainless foolishness to me."
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A Theological Essay, Entitled, "Infant Baptism Presented to B. & J. Van Raalte from Their Father, A. C. Van Raalte," 1874.
A. C. Van Raalte
A theological essay, entitled, "Infant Baptism presented to B. & J. Van Raalte from their father, A. C. Van Raalte, 1874." It is interesting to note that when A.C.V.R. writes Ben and Julia that he is writing in English. The document is 13 pages long.
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Financial Records of A. C. Van Raalte Which Detail His Real Estate Transactions During the Last Years of His Life
A. C. Van Raalte
Financial records of A. C. Van Raalte which detail his real estate transactions during the last years of his life.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to D. B. K. His Son
A. C. Van Raalte
A.C.V.R. is staying with his son-in-law and daughter, the William Gilmores, who are serving the RCA church in Spring Lake. He writes his son, D.B.K., that "today is mother's birthday,. .Sometimes the thought of my approaching departure gives me a quiet, joyous feeling: that complete release from sin and a perfect sphere of activity, what a soul stirring thought." A.C.V.R. speaks of his health since he continues to suffer from a cold. He also reports that he is writing sermons; the current one is on the hidden council of God regarding election.
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"Rules for Beekeeping" by A. C. Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte
Document on "Rules for Beekeeping" that was written by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte. There is no indication of any date on the document.
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A Letter of A. C .V. R. to His Son and Daughter-in-Law, Ben and Julia Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte and Erica D. Heeg
A letter of A.C.V.R. to his son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Julia Van Raalte. The letter accompanies a document on infant baptism, which A.C.V.R. is sending to his relations.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Ben and Julia Gilmore Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte and Erica D. Heeg
While Rev, Albertus C. Van Raalte was visiting Rev. William and Christine Gilmore, he wrote to Ben and Julia Gilmore Van Raalte about several personal and family matters. Van Raalte wrote in English.
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An Article, Entitled, "De Hope," by Albertus C. Van Raalte, Which Appeared in De Hope
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
An article, entitled, "De Hope," by Albertus C. Van Raalte, which appeared in De Hope, p. 1, in which he affirms the importance of this paper for promoting the unity of the Dutch immigrant community in America.
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Letter from A. C. Van Raalte to Dirk B. K. Van Raalte
A. C. Van Raalte and Nella Kennedy
In in undated letter to Dirk B. K. Van Raalte, Rev. Albertus C. Van Raatle wrote his son during his trip to Kansas. He has been sick. He also said a few things about the state.
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Article by A. C. Van Raalte in De Hope
A. C. Van Raalte and Simone Kennedy
An article published in De Hope on this date, authored by the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, and entitled, "De Hope." V.R. is promoting the value of this paper because it helps to keep Dutch immigrants keep in touch, especially since they are now in various regions of the country.
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A Letter of A. C. Van Raalte to His Son, D. B. K.
A. C. Van Raalte and William Reinsma
A copy of the Dutch version of the Albertus C. Van Raalte letter to his son, Dirk, of February 27, 1874. Van Raalte wrote from Manito, Illinois, where he was staying that winter with the Gilmores.
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A Long Letter of A. C. Van Raalte to His Son, D. B. K.
A. C. Van Raalte and Wm. Reinsma
A long letter of A. C. Van Raalte to his son, D. B. K..; Dirk had reached thirty years; A.C.V.R. reflects on life; he mentions Mrs. Van Raalte and her last days; he presses Dirk to be Christian; "Esteem the preaching of Rev. R. Pieters highly and follow it." A.C.V.R. talks about his own father's sense of gratitude; "Now, Holland is a good enough place where one can spend this brief training period for eternity." A.C.V.R. is eager for Dirk to get married. A.C.V.R. reveals his inner thoughts considerably in this letter.
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A Letter of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to Dirk Broek
A. C. Van Raalte and Henry ten Hoor
Broek, pastor of the Reformed Church in Saugatuck, Michigan, just south east of the City of Holland, V.R. is apparently writing about Broek's impending marriage. V.R. concludes a lengthy letter by advising Broek to study Calvin's commentaries for sermon preparation and advises church societies to study Calvin's Institutes!
