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…………

July 23,1857 John Benjamin-1823 to Elizabeth Benjamin

Hutchinson
July 23, 1857
My dear Elizabeth,
As a young man from here is going to Saint Paul today, I thought I would drop you a line to inform you of my prospects here so far, which I am sorry to say are not very encouraging so far.  However, I hope to be better suited by & by as the Hutchinson’s are off & will not be at home for two or three days. 
The mill here is rented out since the thirteenth of this month.   However I am going to take a claim of one hundred & sixty acres of land before I leave & then perhaps I shall come home to stay this winter & stay until the spring.  I have been lazing this last two days rather have work.   For a green horn I did not rush here as soon as I expected for I did not get here until Monday night after a very tedious journey on the Minnesota River & then by land for 4 miles by foot from Henderson following an ox team over a most beautiful prairie.  I like the look & location of this town very much. 
Tell Edwin to have his eye open for something for me to do for the winter, although I may not want any better than to stay here.  I shall have to live on my claim a few weeks in some kind of a cabin which I shall have to build.
As I have but a few minutes to write and the mosquitoes are as thick as bees about my head & hands all the time, a most infernal plague I do assure you.  Hoping that this may find you and my dear little ones in the full enjoyment of health as it leaves me quite well, only very tired.  Give my love to Edwin & his wife & to Robert.  Shall write you again soon.  Don’t write to me until you hear from me again.
Yours most affectionately,
John
In haste……..


1 comment:

  1. UnknownSeptember 9, 2013 at 6:07 AM

    Now we're getting somewhere! John makes his way toward Hutchinson!

    ReplyDelete

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