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 6,1851 William Jones to John Benjamin-1823

Alton (Illinois?)
June 6, 1851
Dear Friend,
I received your kind letter this week.  Your letter came to Alton in due time, but owing to me leaving Alton two days before it arrived I could not have the pleasure of answering your letter in proper time.  I have been up the river in different places, which kept me from Alton until this week.  I have enquired about your trade, what kind of wage they get, and as near as I can make it out, they get from one dollar & fifty cents to one dollar & seventy five cents.  This part of the country is not so very healthy.   Whe [sic] have had several cases of cholera here, this 2-3 last week.  I have been sick myself lately for two weeks with the bilious fever.  Thanks be to God I am very well at present.
Regarding my state in America, I am doing as well as any labouring man can be.  ___ to go 10th of __ and remitted 12.00£ to send my son and brother to America.  I expect them to arrive about September if God sends.  I have not received any paper which you stated you would send.  Our river (Mississippi) is rising to a great height.  It covered all levees last night.  The cellars belonging to the stores on the levee are all full of water.  Today it is rapidly making its way to ___.  Many a poor family is being driven from the Mississippi bottom to Alton to take a shelter. 
In any case I have had letter from home stating that they all enjoy good health.
Friend, I must conclude with this much, that I should like to shake hands with you and have a chat with you.
Yours affectionately,
William Jones
Write soon      

1 comment:

  1. UnknownSeptember 6, 2013 at 4:32 PM

    A letter from a fellow Englishman/Welshman who came to America.

    ReplyDelete

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