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…………









Oct. 11,1849 Thomas Gleave to John Benjamin-1823

Pentre Mills, near Flint
North Wales, Oct 11, 1849
Dear John,
Your letter of the 4th last I rec’d on the 7th inst.  I always feel happy to hear form you as I feel a great interest in your welfare.  I receive the New York Herald regularly every week (except once when the Hibernia went ashore) and I every week send you the Albion which I hope you regularly receive.  I am glad you have sent me word about the postage of the papers I send.  I always thought the stamp should free the British postage, from this time forward I shall post them without paying and if you find they don’t reach their destination you must let me know.
I am somewhat surprised that T. Price and you do not keep up a correspondence.  I hope he still continues a total abstinence.  He will never prosper I fear without.  When you write to him tell him I have been long expecting a letter from him, as I stated to you before he told me in his first letter not to write again until he sent me another letter, which has prevented me doing so. 
I am glad to hear that you have had so little of the cholera.  I wish I could give you so good an account but I am sorry I can not, the mortality here has been great indeed.  Since I last wrote to you there has been about 40 deaths in Flint alone.  We had a day set apart   (Wednesday 3rd inst,) in this parish for prayer ____.   I hope God in his mercy has removed his chastening rod for it has been heavy here. I am truly thankful to say that none of my relatives have fallen victims and all our men have been spared, although some of them have been very ill, but they are now all at work. I will send you a list of those I know that have died since my last.
Rev D. Lewis ___ he preached here on the Wednesday night and went to ___ on Thursday to get a clergyman to preach for him there on the following Sunday as he wants to spend that Sunday in Flint before returning to ___ he did not return but died then on Friday morning.  Mr. Brown was from ___ at the time and there was no one to inter Mr. Michael Perry who had likewise died of the cholera.  Peter Bibby has also fallen a victim also Mr. Edw Hughes, ___ and his wife both buried on one grave, Jeremy the shoemaker, Sally Roberts (wife of Mr. Roberts, Michael Perry’s mom), Mrs. Emily and Mary Williams (wife of Davydd Mike Carter), Mr. Hughes Baptist, George Powell’s wife and three daughters, W, Hewlitt Pilot, old Betty Price, and ___ Mill and her daughter in law, also Lorie Carter, basket maker. Elizabeth Lewis, youngest daughter of Kitty Lewis who lives opposite my house, Harry Parry, Mr. Roberts Pen Machno and his son-in-law, Mrs. Williams and a number of children that I don’t know.
I am happy to say we have had only one case since the last day 3rd inst.  I trust it has left us and may it leave a serious impression and it or the means of leading many to God.  Our congregation in church has a mournful aspect, so many are ___ in the habiliment of woe from having lost father, mother, husbands or wives or children. It has been a time that will be long remembered here.
I think I have sent you all the news I have.  I will send this letter to Bagillt to be enclosed in your father’s letter.  He called here when he was going to Mr. Edwards. I do not know the result of his visit to him as I have not seen your father since.  If you should not receive a newspaper from me in some weeks it will be in consequence of my being from home. I was in Sheffield last week but returned in time to post the Albion.
Whenever you are writing to your father be sure to send me a slip of paper in their letter or when you write to me you can enclose one to your father as it saves postage.  Do you think you will ever return?
With most heartfelt wishes for your ___ eternal happiness ___ Dr. John.
Yours sincerely,
Thomas Gleave

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