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. 7,1856 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823

Belvidere, Ill
September 7th, 1856
Dear John,
Once more I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to you in answer to yours of last week.  I received a letter from Robert George at the same time.  He said that he hadn’t received any of my letters, but I am sorry to say that I can’t get my money for him at present.  We had to pay $600 last week on our engine and there is another note coming due the 20 of this month of $400.60.  If business hadent [sic] been so good with us this month I don’t know what we would have done. 
We have our sash doors and blinds machinery all a running and is doing good business.  We have let to a man here in town for one threed [sic] of what they make.
I received a letter from Bird last week about that trade between him and I for that watch.   I am going to write to him today about it. 
I expect to come to Rockford before long.  I would like to come next Sunday if it is convenient for me to do so. 
I have written home last week and told my father of my circumstances and how I stood in regard to money matters as I suppose you told him in your letter that you sent them when I was at Rockford.  I did try to sell out my interest here week before last, but Mr. White did not approve of it by no means.  He said that he would by and by sell out with me and go somewhere else to put up a shop ourselves.  We have a lumber yard here now and so we sell lumber very fast and so with everything we make it pay pretty well.  My time all taken up now Sundays and all.  I have not been to church for three weeks but expect to go to the episcopal church before long.  They are building one here now.   We plained [sic] all the lumber for it. 
Excuse haste.  My respects to Elizabeth and the children and except the same yourself.
Yours truly,
Edwin


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