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 30,1850 John Benjamin-1823 to Elizabeth Garner

Dedham, Mass
United States, America
June 30th, 1850
My Dearest Elizabeth,
 
Since writing the forgoing I have to inform you of my moving from Milton 6 ½ miles to Dedham, which is a most beautiful place indeed.  I have got into a very good shop since one of the men was turned off on Saturday night & I came here and got his place as soon as I heard it.  It is very large furniture manufacturing and can turn all kinds of fancy wood work here and I have taken it all piece work and I think that I shall do well after I have been here a little while.  It is the largest shop kind in the country and the __ are very nice gentlemen to work for.  They are very agreeable men and indeed I must needs say that this is the nicest part of the country that I have visited since I have been here, although I have seen a great many places since my landing in the country but the scenery here surpasses anything I have seen before in this wide world.  It is only 10 miles from Boston city. I am going there on the 4th July as that day is a general holiday all through this country.  There is going to be a great do in this city on that day and there will be fireworks at night.
I have to inform you that I was at a church of England near in this place this morning, the first of the kind that I have been to since I left home and I also assure you that never felt so much at home as I did while I was in church.  This minister preached a most excellent sermon for the first Peter 3 chapter 13 verse. There is first ___ singing at this church.  There are four or five more churches here but I have not learned of what denomination.  There is a protestant church about 2 miles from here in the ___ part of the village.
I hope that all is well with you and that you are enjoying good health.  I am quite well myself, thanks be to God for it.  I know that you will prepare yourself to come out here soon.  Give my kind love to your father, hoping he is well, and also your brother and sister, hoping that they are all well and staying well.  I hope to post this note for father at Holywell.  I don’t think you will be able to read this for I have got a horrid bad pen and am writing in a hurry for to go to church again if I can get it done soon enough.
Believe me my dearest Elizabeth to remain yours most faithfully and affectionately,
John   

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