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. 28, 1877 Mary Anne Benjamin-1852 to John Benjamin-1823

765 Wabash Ave.
Chicago, Ill
Dec. 28, 1877
Dear Father,
Your letter with the two dollars in came which I am very thankful for.   I can tell you I have not been to Uncle Edwin since I left but I am going Saturday night or Sunday if he is at home.  Aunt C [Charlotte] is going to Mr. Pease tomorrow.  She will know from them if he is at home or not. If not, I won’t go until he is.   I will tell him how disappointed you are in not hearing from him.  It may be that Uncle never got the letter that you wrote about his business so he will not be to blame.  I know that is very mean to think that of Aunt F.  but I can’t help it after hearing what she had done. 
I got a letter from you yesterday & Louise & Olive.  I believe this has been the longest I have been without writing.  I thought would wait until after Christmas.  Sarah’s husband got a Christmas tree and Aunt C dress it.  Aunt C folks were all here.  Lizzie & Martha are working out.  Richard, Lizzie, Martha & I took dinner with Sarah & husband & Aunt C.  Uncle Emely Stanly took dinner with Mary & her husband.  Sarah & Mary had each a turkey for dinner & I cleaned them, the first I ever did & they had an English plum pudding & in the evening Richard had a magic lantern and showed us all some pictures & after we all danced & then the tree was stripped of the presents and Richard had two persons come to play on guitar and violin.   So we had a good time until twelve o’clock.  Then we all retired and I commenced this letter before dinner.  But William came to dinner & said that there was to be a Christmas tree at four o’clock in one of the churches nearby & he wanted Sarah and me to go so we got ready & went.  He is a clerk in a grocery store so he couldn’t go.   I never saw anything so grand.   They had a shape of a ship with about two or three thousand candles all lit up on it & they had the presents around it.  There were thirty five classes of the Sunday school & each class had a banner they paraded up & down the church while singing with the banners.  It was perfectly beautiful.  I want to write to Ma so I must close. 
From your affectionate,
Daughter [Mary Anne]

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