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…………









Dec. 22, 1858 Adoniram Joseph Hutchison-1823 to John Benjamin-1823


Beloit

December 22, 1858

Brother Benjamin & Wife,

Sunday Eve.

Here you will find your humble friend, Dottie & Hattie, in a long little room.  Contents of room: stove, bed, rug carpet, chairs, table and in this you will find us ___ & talking of you & stars that we left behind in Hutchinson.  We reached here in safety; found folks are well and glad to see us.  Hattie was some sea sick on our way down, but not bad.  She is much pleased with the place and so am I.  Like the Beloit people much.  Think I shall stop till spring anyhow. Business is very dull here.  My brother is doing good business for the times.  I am going into trade with him or in company with him the first of January.  Don’t expect to make much this winter.  If I can pay my way, will be satisfied.  Have found your brother & family in sound health.  Have made a trade with him.  He is to have the watch.  I like him well, though he is not so much of a man as his brother (J.B.) – in size.  He seems much as you said he would , kind of boyish.  A good boy I should judge.  He has a fine baby and wife.  Mrs. B, how are the old ___?   Hope well & the little cow, ___ she holds out in milk. 

Dec 26, Sunday Eve

You will see by the date of this that I have been some days absent, and so I have.  I have been away with Judson a few days.  So will try and finish this now.  I have no news to share. We are all happy as the times will allow – times are hard.   I never saw such times in my life.  No money here, business is dull, just live & ___ is all. Your brother’s family is all well.  He is at work in his old shop, but where he is going I can’t say.  I see him most every day.  I would like to just step in and see you all.  HopweHHhh Hope you are all well.  Tell the little children that we thought of them this Christmas and would have been glad to have visited them had the distance not been so great.  Will try and come next time.  Will now close by wishing you all a Merry Christmas.

Truly yours,

A.J. H. [Adoniram Joseph Hutchison]

 

Historical Note:
Hutchinson township took the name of its village, founded November 19, 1855, by the brothers, Asa, Judson, and John Hutchinson, with others. These brothers were members of the famous family of many singers, born in Milford, N. H., who gave concerts of popular and patriotic songs throughout the United States after 1841 until the close of the civil war. Hutchinson was incorporated as a village February 9, 1881, and as a city in 1904.

Asa Burnham Hutchinson, youngest of the brothers founding Hutchinson, where he afterward lived, was born March 14, 1823, and died at his home here November 25, 1884. Adoniram Judson Joseph Hutchinson, commemorated by the name of Judson lake, recently drained, about a mile north of this city, was born March 14, 1817, and died in Lynn, Mass., January 10, 1859. John Wallace Hutchinson, born January 4, 1821, resided many years in Lynn, Mass., and was author of the "Story of the Hutchinsons," two volumes, 495 and 416 pages, published in 1896. Koniska, a village platted in 1856 on the South fork of Crow river, for utilization of its water-power, has been mainly superseded by the villages and cities on railways.



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