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 5, 1859 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823

Beloit
June 5, 1859
Dear John,
I have delayed writing to you on account of not being able to get you some money.  It is utterly impossible for me to get any at present.   I am very, very sorry to say it.  Francis said yesterday that if she had a dollar in the world she would send it to you. 
I went to Mr. Hutchinson to trade last night and he asked me if I had heard from you.  I told him that I had not and that I hadn’t written to you yet because I was expecting to have some money to send you.  He said he was coming to your place the last of this month or the beginning of the next.  I shall endeavor to sending something by him to you. 
I sold 32 sets of cottage bedsteads for $35 last week, but I don’t get any pay until the latter end of July.  I have worked for the reaper company some little time now and have not had any pay but $6 since I commenced.   I believe I told you in my last how I worked for them.  I take a reaper for pay and will sell it this harvest.  I suppose that I shall have to wait some little time for the pay.  It may be possible that by that time I can do something for you before long. 
I have taken my reaper in hand again and have made considerable improvements on it.  I showed it to two men; they are very confident that it will work better than anything else there is now in use.  It is not only the simplicity of the thing but the less power and motion in the sickle.  I haven’t the space to explain it to you at present, but will some other time.  If I can get the money this fall I will send for a patent for it.
Yours truly,
Edwin
Hattie had been cutting teeth but she is as fat as ever and calls out “dad, dad” about two thirds of the time.  She sends her little cousins some kisses.  o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
I am going to try and trade some furniture to have our likenesses taken.  If I can I shall send you some of them. 
Edwin



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