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…………









May 14,1856 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823


Belvedere, Illinois

May 14, 1856

Dear John,

I hasten to acknowledge receipt of your letters for fear that you already think me ___ remiss in the performance of my duty for allowing so long a time to elapse without writing to you, but you will pardon all delinquencies, I trust, when I assure you that it was not for want of inclination, but of ___ which occasioned the delay.

A young man by the name of Brady got hurt very bad in the shop week ago last Friday as a board flew back after the saw and struck him in the stomach, and he has been in bed since. He is getting better now. I sleep on the floor near by him every night as he prefers me for all others.

I sent a letter to Robert George the same day that you wrote to me.  I beg of him to wait a few weeks for his money according to your request, and mailed the letter you sent me to him at the same time. By the way, I wrote to Mr. Lambert.  I asked him to wait a few days while I should get this job done that I now have on hand, and then I should send him the money, at least some of it, if not all.  You stated that he wrote to me; I haven’t had any letters from anyone last week, only from you.  I have had three __ posts to turn and I have two more to turn tomorrow, only they are pine.  They would pay very well.  I think by and by I shall do very well down here.  I wish you could sell out in your shop and go somewhere else to start some other business for yourself which would pay better than cabinet work.  I would like to see you down here very much to see me and to see how you like the place.

I would like you to come down ____________ if you do, send a let me know what day so that I might let you know when the planer runs.

I was very glad to hear that you heard from home and that they are all well.  If James comes to New York I hope he won’t come here to me.  I suppose he’s hard enough of the sea and would like to come back to work for $2 a day instead of staying there for $2 per day (some difference out there) the same as I had to in Leconbe [?].

I shall write to Elizabeth next time as I promised to when at Rockford.  You had better not buy you a storm coat this summer.   I have one here which I shall make a present to you.  I shall send you as soon as I can get an opportunity.  Give my kind respects to Elizabeth and the children.  Here are some kisses for them.  o o o o o o o o o o o o o o  They are small but just as good.

Yours affectionately,

Edwin


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