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 19,1857 Elizabeth Benjamin to John Benjamin-1823

Belvidere
May 19, 1857
Dear John,
I received your welcome letter yesterday.  I was glad to hear from you, but I should much rather of seen you, but I hope we shall not be separated but a few days longer, for this being away from you is all but killing.  I would rather live on bread and water than be in the way I am now.  You don’t know how __ lonesome the time does seem to me, every hour seems a day.  I was disappointed again last night for I expected you home. 
Mrs. Howard wants to go home tomorrow.  So she will have been here five weeks.  She asked me if I thought five shillings a week too much for the three weeks before I was sick, and 4 dollars a week after.  It will make 11 dollars and a half, so I think 4 dollars a week too much to pay her since I was sick, for she has not earned it, far from it.  But I did not say anything to her.  She said if I thought it too much I might let her hear what I thought was enough.  So I will leave it to you; you know what an easy time she has had here. 
You will have to let ___ know if she is to come here, for I have no way of sending for her here.   The neighbors said they have found out that we are going away, don’t seem to call in atall, for old Mrs. Smedley has not been in but once, and then she just looked in at the ___, but I don’t care much. 
I felt quite provoked at Edwin for staying up to Albright’s instead of coming to take your dear things up, for I know you must of been dreadful lonesome there alone, dear John. I got your things ready to send on Friday night but he did not come.  I was surprised at him staying.   So did he tell you he was going to be married in three weeks?  Well, well, he thinks he knows all I suppose.  I almost thought by the way she spoke when she was down here, but I did not think it would be so soon.  What do you think about it?
___________ the wood is getting quite low and I don’t want to get any more here.  If it holds so cold we shant have enough for to last two days, but Mrs. Howard would rather have the money than a draft she says. Come home before she goes, now be sure no snow.
The children are well except with the exception of Anne.  She coughs at night very bad.  On Friday night I thought she would suffocate, and she had such flem in her throat.  The baby was not very well yesterday morning, but he’s better now.   He grows and is quite good. 
Be sure to come home now – do in haste.  I remain your ever fond wife,
Elizabeth
Bobby is in a great way to see you.  He has not seen you for this six days he says.  E.

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