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…………









March 14, 1864 Asa Hutchinson to John Benjamin-1823

Milford, Mass
March 14, 1864
Friend Benjamin,
Your favor of the 3rd inst. was received yesterday, being forwarded from New York and was __ _ __ gratifying intelligence and we were all pleased with its contents that you sympathize with us in our trial.
Dr.  Bowdish still lives and can preach that your children remember with pleasure our Sunday school singing and that Mr. Boudish is coming to live in our town.  He must have a lot.  Those lots Mr. Summer bought for tax title really were for the church use and we must surpress, in case of the state has decided that the tax titles are null and void, that these same lots will revert to the original owners, the town company, and be deeded to Mr. Bowdish for a church and parsonage if he will only leave Sodom (Glencoe) and come dwell with those children of light and progress.  I don’t care much for them but I do love a human man and when I do find one who can so well “Shoot his rifle clear to pigeons in the skies”, and can preach too, I believe he will be skilled in shooting swindlers and help all good earnest citizens pull down the grog shops and the grog sellers if need be.  I tell you, brother Benjamin, we must build up humanity in our little settlement and rum, tobacco, swearing, gambling, lying, stealing, and defrauding must be discouraged & dethroned. 
Glad you and your wife are blessed with another son.  Long may he live to gladden your hearts and never go down in consumption as our pet parrot did.   We hear of the beautiful winter you have enjoyed.  Probably you have had rough weather before this.  We are having splendid sleighing and moon light here.  Glad that the sons of Hassan Folley are taking to themselves the fair women of the land and that we shall have  a good hotel that will not disgrace the settlement.  I hope theirs will be much improvement the coming summer. 
In regard to the logs that you have drawn off.  I could have drawn half of them at fair rate and market value.  Mr. Chisley you may employ to estimate them provided I can have them sawed early so I can have them ___ by the time I wish to ____.  Can you not see that they are drawn in, as is drawn off and stacked on the ground near ur [sic] summer house where no rogues will carry them off.  I shall first build an L part and  I believe we planned for a building , 16 by 22.  The boards and finish might be sawed out and the frame not to be till I arrive.  Seth Nichols writes me that they are ready to fill an order for me and perhaps I had better begin with them if their price is reasonable.   I will write to them, also Mr. Chisley.  I shall use my influence to send along ___ and by & by come with our family.
Yours truly,
Asa Hutchinson
N.B.  Please see James & Chenley about the church lots and not disturb Mr. Summer in his tax title until the matter is fully ___ in discussion by citizens interested.  If Mr. Summers does not yield to the request, I shall find a _________________________.

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