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…………

Sept. 1,1856 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823

Belvidere
September 1, 1856
Dear John,
I expected that I should come to Rockford before writing to you, but, as I am glad to say business has been very good here for the last two weeks.  Our machinery has all come and a cargo of lumber at the same time and we have sold a good deal of it to another cargo commenced coming last Saturday, and so we expect to have a good assortment before long. 
I commenced writing to father and mother yesterday.  I was so sick that I didn’t get through, but I shall tonight.  I had a sore throught [sic] and a headache all week.  I suppose I had it by been [sic] out in the sun all the time measuring lumber.
I could not find you a turner.  I thought of coming up to stay two or three days last week but I couldn’t make it go.   I should have turned for you all the time that I was there.   We are so busy at present and so you will excuse me.
I shall write to you next Sunday if don’t come up next Saturday.
In haste.  Yours truly, 
Edwin
Write soon,

1 comment:

  1. UnknownSeptember 8, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    A couple of letters from brother Edwin who seems to have a good business in Belvidere, IL.

    ReplyDelete

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