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 Thomas Price to John Benjamin-1823


 
South Dedham, Mass
March 14, 1864
Dear John,
I have received your letter of Feb. 15.  We are very glad to hear that you and your family are all well.  I am also very happy to inform you that my dear wife is much better, but not able to go outdoors yet.  There has been much sickness in this locality this winter and an unusual number of deaths.  Lung fever has been very prevalent.  There has been 3 to 6 deaths from it in and around So. Dedham. 
I sent you a couple of Flintshire Observers a few days ago and one of them contains the sad news that Pentre Mills has been burned down.  You will read the particulars in the Jan. copy.  We did not receive it until after we had received the February one.  When it came to us it was wet and I suppose it must have gone down with the Bohemian Steamer which was wrecked off the eastern coast a short time ago. That was startling news to me as I know it must be to you.  I expect to get a letter from Mr. Gleave before long.  I should like to know what they are going to do there, if they will build up again or not.
With regards to the letters you sent to your father and Mr. Gleave, it is perfectly right that you should hold direct correspondence with them if possible.  Nothing would please me better than to know that you held regular correspondence with you relatives and friends at home.  If your letters do fail to reach them or theirs fail to reach you, I am willing at any time to forward a letter for you with the greatest pleasure. 
I am very grateful to you for sending me the western papers.  I take pleasure in reading them.  I do forward some occasionally to Mr. Gleave and I have no doubt he sends them to your father. 
I have enquired about Macbeth l I am informed that he is still at Bridgewater.  I hear that Russell is not in partnership with Mr. Baker now, but some man that is a carver is in company with Mr. Baker.  Now they are doing some little business in bedsteads and bureaus.  Mr. Russell keeps a furniture ware room in Boston and is also in the lumber trade.  Frank Baker is turning in a shop in Boston.  The Everett has the best business around here, and business in general holds very good.
We are very pleased to hear that you are settled again and we hope your stock will increase and that you will be prospered, and you must look to God for his blessing to rest upon yourself and your family.
We shall be happy to hear from you again soon.  My family unites with me in kind love to yourself and to Mrs. Benjamin and your dear children. 
From yours most respectfully,
Thomas G. Price  





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