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…………

Feb. 18,1853 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjammin-1823

Flint
Feb 18, 1853
My dear Brother,
I received you kind letter on the 5th of this month and I was glad to hear that you are all well as I am here at present, thank you for the same I was to hear of these things that you have promis me in your letter.  I shall be very much oblige to you for them.  I haven’t had the journal yeat [sic] as I shall respect [sic]it every day, and I was sorry to hear by father’s letter was ___ me as it has put my mother of her way very bad as you could not help them for this time, and I should wishing very hard if you would help them for this time only, if I shall be able if God will give me my health to pay when I shall come over to you, as they have been good to us all as you know yourself as our wages is not but a trifle for them as we would do beter if we could .  My mind is not to be here long if you will fulfill your promis as I hope you will.  
You spoke of the wages as you are getting in your country – it is as much I do have here in a week very near.  Dear Brother, I hope you’ll not be long before send for me over to you.  I am doing my best to James as you desire for me to do and I shall as long as I shall be here.  James is goin to write a few lines in the later of this letter.
Now I must turn to conclude in love to you and Elizabeth and MAE as I was glad of the kiss of her.  Please to send an answer to us as soon as you can   Louisa and Charlotte send their kind respect to you and my sister and the child.   The time is rather short at present to write more to you at this time and so no more from your affectionate brother,
Edwin Benjamin

1 comment:

  1. UnknownSeptember 6, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    John's brother wants to come to America, but also pleads for his parents.

    ReplyDelete

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