IV. Letters Sent (10 Letters),, 1830-1835

This collection offers a glimpse into the life of a member of the Rutgers College Class of 1830 as told through correspondence between members of the Van Arsdale family of Pluckemin, New Jersey. The bulk of the letters contained in this collection were written by Jacob Van Arsdale, who enrolled at Rutgers College at the age of 17 and pursued additional studies at New Brunswick Theological Seminary after completing his work at Rutgers. All but three of the letters are addressed by Jacob to Jacob's father, Isaac Van Arsdale, and describe events and personalities at Rutgers as seen through the eyes of young Jacob. Jacob's subjects run from the very mundane routine of life in New Brunswick at that time to his own reflections on his education and on the state of religion, and his perception of the quality of the instruction he receives at Rutgers and New Brunswick Theological Seminary. The letters also cover the initial two years of his pastoral ministry, which began after his graduation from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1833.