John Benjamin was born in England in 1823. In 1849, at the age of 26, he immigrated to America with the goal of seeking opportunities in the new world and improving the life of his family. During his immigration and eventual settlement in Hutchinson, Minnesota, John saved many personal letters that were written by and to him. These letters, the subject of this web site, bring to life his immigration and the life of others during this courageous adventure. The most recent letters posted on this sight are on this front page. To see all the earlier letters, keep pressing the “Older Posts” button on the bottom of this page. The earliest letter recorded here is June 20, 1849. The letters…………

June 26,1855 George Macbeth to John Benjamin

Dedham
June 26th, 1855
Dear John,
I intended to write last Sunday but did not because we had not decided where to send James.  You will be glad to hear that he is on his way home.  I hope and trust this will be a lesson to him and that for the future he will so conduct himself as to wipe out the stain.  I am glad his going coincides with your views.  We, after consultation, came to the same conclusion: that you had trouble enough and the story might get out through John McAlister, and that it might be prejudicial to you. 
Edwin is to go with me if he can get ready.   I have sent my boxes (five in all) this morning and will follow as soon as I can.  I have directed them to the firm and will send the receipt to you, and if they get there before me, be kind enough to put them in a place of safety.  In my bench box you will find the fret work for those What Nots.  Baker sent in the large pine box in four reams of Flint paper of which I’ve got the bill & ripe & verniers in the small box, all of which is paid for.   I got your letter so late I had not much time for selection or for packing them nice.  Tim can take off the tops and get at them, and if any of the goods are wet please take some of them out as they may mould.  I will pay you for all your trouble. 
I thought you knew when I was to be married; it is tonight.   The time was set before we had concluded to go west, or else I should have been there pre this.  Myra has had all to do herself and could not get ready any sooner.  I think now of starting next Monday, but may remain over that week and it may be more dangerous travelling, at all events more troublesome, especially with the children (as Mrs. Conden goes with us).  You must not think me negligent, John, for I really have done the best I could.  If you recollect, I thought when you went away I could not get away till the first of September, but I crawled off going home and I am afraid disappointed them very much.  Mr. McIntosh wrote me I must come home but I told him I could not possibly.   My intentions were to go Wednesday of this week, but Myra’s friends all say it would be running off in too great a hurry and they would not like it.  I wish to make things as agreeable as possible.  Myra is making a sacrifice in going of her feelings, and I can’t urge too much.  So if I don’t get there next week don’t feel cuss.
I have not found a varnishing & upholsterer yet.   It is hard to find the two combined.  Seth wants to go for nine dollars a week.  He can varnish and polish as well as anyone, but can’t upholster.  I did not give him any encouragement.  I will try further.  Tell Conden to be on the lookout for his goods, which I sent the same time with mine. 
I feel grateful to you for your offer of boarding with you till I can suit myself.  I am afraid it will be too much for your wife as Mr. & Mrs. Bird board there.  If you can get me a house I should like it, but I will accept your offer and make things as light and easy for you as we can, and then look up one for myself.   
I have engaged three sets gigs from Baker to be sent after the other desk goes. Sawer is to cut them.  They are b. walnut as I thought you would not want any maple.  If you want any more I can get them.  Those veneers I sent, I’m not sure will suit you but I had very little time to get them, and if you will tell me what you want them for particularly, whether desk falls tables or other work, I will send any quantity you want.  I thought you could make those black walnut do for table rims as they are pretty good.  Can’t you get black walnut veneers cut out there?  That __ of small cord is for sacking ___.  If it doesn’t suit for that you can use it for something. It only cost 50 cents for sand paper.  You had better send direct to New York to the manufacturer.  I get this at Allen & Noble at the same price they charged R.B. & Co. – 2.75 per ream. The ___ cost 12 cents per pound.  If you want sacking or tubing I can get it at Manning Glivers & Co. and also Palm Teap, but there is an article much better in the market – it is called “Excelsior”, made I believe of basswood shavings and much softer.  It comes in 200 pound bales.  The ticking in rolls.  I can send as much of either as you want.  I’ve got the “stains’ in my pocket.  It is very simple.  It is all proportioned by guesswork, made dark or light to suit the wood.  In staining they don’t fill the wood first, only in polishing.  I will learn how to mix it. 
You will excuse me today if I write a little incoherent and wandering as - you know.   I must end this scrawl as I must to go to Boston and I want to mail this.  My love to your wife and little ones and accept the same yourself.  Has your little boy got well yet? I hope so.
Yours as ever,
G.W. Macbeth

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