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…………









May 29, 1864 Edwin Benjammin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823

Chicago, May 29th, 1864
Dear John,
Since I received your letter I have received two from father & mother and one for you.  It costs money to get letters now-a-days .   One of them cost 84 cts and the other 41 cts.  But still, there were four letters in one of them; two for you and two for me.  I presume you will be glad to hear from Elizabeth brother one more.  Father wrote to me bad in the spring about sending for Sharlot’s boy who is now in his 14th year, and it appears that he is a good scholar besides being a very good boy.  And now that I have made up my mind to send for him, father says that sister Harriet wants to come too.  Well, in regard to her I don’t think that I could do all this at present.  And father says she is about going wild in regard to coming out.  And now it might be that she could be of some service to you in your family.   But as for us we have but our little Hattie left us and, of course, I don’t think that it would be very good policy for me to take us here with us yet awhile.  It would be a great responsibility put on me to take care of two where we have had so much trouble for the past year.  If I was to figure up my expense for the year and give you the figures it would seem to you as almost impossible , but this place is no place at all for a family to be taken for sickness just as we was at the hotel, and finally of all to lose our fine little Rienfrew.   But for all this I would go for ten times that expense if I once thought or had the least idea that he was going to get well.  But, no, God saw fit to take him away for us, and it, all this, was to no avail .  And now I am in hopes that we may have got over the worst of our trouble under all these circumstances.  I think perhaps it would be better for me not to send for her without you could take her.  I don’t think I would like to have her work out for her living and I presume you wouldn’t .   I shall leave this to your consideration and you can let me know what you think about it.  I shall send for Richard as soon as can conveniently. 
We all unite in love to you all , hoping that this will find you all well. 
From yours truly,
Edwin


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