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 28,1854 Robert Benjamin-1795 to John Benjamin-1823

Bagillt
July 28, 1854
Dear John & Elizabeth,
I once more take the pleasure of sending a few lines to you after your brother in hopes that he will have arrived safe before you will receive this, and in hopes that you are all well the same as these leaves us at present, thanks be to God for his mercy towards us at all times, and we are very glad that we got to send your brother next with the first opportunity as you desired for us so to do, and we are in great hopes he will turn out a good boy and strive his best for to please you, but we should of been very glad if you should of been with him yourself for some time, and we are in great hopes he will keep himself sturdy and sending us the money as we borrowed for to send him, for I went to William Pierce and I told him  how it was and he thought it a pity for the lad to loose such an opportunity, and he cashed me the money upon such condition that is that he should have them returned in three months time, for there is some sales when some property belonging to Mr. Maston at Flint just in those days, and he thinks if he can about buying some public houses there, for he does buy as much as he can altogether, and that’s what he was telling me when I went to him about you, that he had such use to money altogether that he could do nothing of the kind, but when I went to him about your brother he said that twenty pounds was not much and a pity for him to loose the opportunity, and if he should have him there they would be all right, and was obliged to go to Holywell for a two shillings and sixpence stamp, and Mr. Robert Hunt of Gadlys for a witness stamp.
We are in good hopes that he will keep himself sturdy and think of all these things and do his best endeavor to please his both brothers, for they tell me at the mill that he was a very good workman and that he did not get half fairplay there. Enough upon that score for the present, and we don’t know what more to say to you much, but we are in great hopes, that is if you mean to go further, that the Lord may grant you more prosperity in your undertaking, and that you won’t be long but you may be able to take your two brothers to you, for it would be of great ease to our minds, and in hopes that you will be able to get them to be comfortable together before you will have to leave them, and we shall be greatly obliged to you if you will have the kindness as to send us soon as you can for to let us know how your brother is getting on after his arrival.  You must excuse this short letter this time for I am in little haste for to write in time for the postman.
PS – I have been trying Mr. Faulks over again and he said that B. was very sorry but that he had such use for money now that he could not do anything with me at all. 
So I must conclude for the present but all your brothers and sisters sends their kind respects to you and expect the same from your dutyful father and mother,
Robert & Sarah Benjamin
PS – That is I mean by trying Mr. Faulks is about some money for you.
 
PS – I don’t know whether you can understand your mother’s handwriting of not.  If not, you must ask Edwin; he is better acquainted with it. 
 
 

1 comment:

  1. This letter is referring to James, who is now heading to America.

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