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…………









Nov. 30,1850 Elizabeth Garner to John Benjamin-1823

Holywell
Nov 30
My Dearest John,
It is with pain that I am now writing.  I want to indeed acquaint you of the death of my dear father.  He died on the 18 of this month and buried on the 21.  Yes, my dearest John, the only parent I had on earth is gone to his long long home, but I trust to a better, yes, place.  The last words that he was heard to say where that he was going home to his Saviour.   He was taken to say very ill all of a sudden for on Friday morning he was better than usual so I came to Holywell and I went home on the Saturday and he was dieing.  He knew us all until Sunday morning and then he was unconscious of everything until Monday morning & I lost my only parent ___ his fleeting breath.  Oh!  My dearest John, my feelings I can’t describe to you but never shall I forget his dieing looks while I live.  Oh! With what struggle for a breath & my dearest John you would never of forgot him had you seen him.  Well, well my dearest John, tis past and your Lizzy is left alone in this wide world without a parent but in God is my strength.  He will not give me more than I can bare.
My sister Margaret is at Liverpool with my brother William.  He wanted me to go there very much but I stood against it all I could so my sister has gone.  My dearest John, you will see by this that I intended posting it last week but was obliged to send it ___ for I was at Flint the week before, preparing for the funeral so last week I and my brother sometimes was packing up the things to go to Liverpool for my brother William, so you see my dear John it was not my fault in not writing sooner.  I have been very ill last week but I am better this week.  I thought I should be ill after all this but I hope the worst is over.
I have not seen your friends since the death of my poor father.  I know your mother is on pins wanting to see me for if she does not see me every week she is quite uneasy and your father, both him and I are great friends.  He has got a ___ rearing for me.  I dare not call your mother anything but mother so you see I am not without an intended mother and father.   Well well, what would I give if I had any mother and father, but tis useless now, I can’t get them back.  No no, the Friday morning before my father died he told me that he should like very much to see you, but I never shall see him in this world, no, but I would give anything to see him once more, but tell him when you write that I wish him all the success this world can afford him, that I look to him as a son.  He said a little more but it would not be prudent for me to tell you know but I dare say you shall hear it some day not far distant I hope for you see that now I have neither father nor mother to leave behind, but I hope my dearest John will not take it selfish of me in proposing to come now she has no parent to leave for I did not like to come and leave father in such a week state.  My dearest John, you see I am willing to come if you will grant me one wish, that is for your sister, Mary Ellen to accompany me for it would be lonesome by oneself.  You will look things over and write as soon as you can for me to know how to do if I can get my money by then for I shall do all I can to get there by then.   I have written to my brother, Joseph, that I wanted my money by next Spring so he sees and understands directly what I want , so he said the best way was for me to see about it directly, so you will tell me in one of your letters soon what will be most requisite for me to bring with me.  I have taken a__ to the __ and __ so you will just mention what else I shall require to take, so I shall drop it for the present  and shall write a longer letter next time for I expect to hear from you before you get this.   
I hope you have had the letter your father sent with my note inside.  My brother and I where in Flint church last Sunday morning.  We sat in next seat to Mr. Gleave.  He was looking very much at me.  Do you think he knows anything of our correspondence?  He does not dress so ___ as he didn’t show he is a married man.  Miss Gleave was there too my dear John I don’t know wether I mentioned to you in my last anything about them young men, if not, they have given up the thought of going. 
My dearest John I received a paper last week and one this so I shall send you one this week hoping you will ___ this.   My brother has ___ at Manchester this week.  I shall be going to Flint next week.  There are some of the things to come here so I am going to pack them.  The others are shipped on board the ___ so I shall ___ no use in going and coming I dare say. 
My dearest John I must draw to conclusion for the present, hoping to hear from you very soon.  My dear I was just going to tell you to give my love to Price and ___ respects ___well.   Be sure to remember me kindly to him. 
Adieu, my dearest John, and believe me ever to remain your most affectionate and faithful,
Lizzy until death



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