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…………









Feb. 3, 1866 Thomas Price to John Benjamin-1823

South Dedham, Mass
Feb. 3, 1866
Dear John,
I have received your kind letter of Dec. 3rd.  We are very happy to hear that you and your family are enjoying good health and we are glad to hear that your children are growing up to be such a help to you on your farm.
I have made enquiries again about Mr. Wait and I am told he is somewhere in New York but I cannot find out where.  I have heard but I do not know if it is true that his father left him money and that he goes around spending it.
I have written to Mr. Gleave.   Have said to him that when I heard from you last, you and your family were quite well and that you had not heard from Flint for a long time.  About a fortnight ago I received a letter from Isaiah Jones; he is in Leavenworth, Kansas.  He sent me his business card.  He is in company with another and carrying on the cabinet business.  He has a steam mill. 
We shall send you some papers again soon.  We are getting on here about as usual.  Business is not quite as good as it was a little time ago.  The Everetts are carrying on their business at Morse & Webb’s old shop.  I don’t hear much boasting, I guess they are not doing too well.  The talk is the Everetts will leave South Dedham altogether before long.  The have bought a steam mill in South Boston and they are carrying on some business there at present.  They have sold the land that their old factory was built upon to the railway co.
We have heard that Mrs. McLeod has been a spiritualist and that she is now in some insane hospital.  She has been living somewhere in Boston for a long time. 
I saw Robert Pike not long ago from Fitchburg.  He was enquiring about you.  I told him you was doing much in Minnesota.  He was very glad to hear it.  John Birch went to the war and died somewhere in Tennessee.  Mr. Nelson White talked about going to Minnesota again to farm for a living. 
Myself and family are in good health at present and I am still at Chickerings.  We are often speaking about you all and we shall be very happy to hear from you again soon.   We all unite in kind love to you and Mrs. Benjamin and your dear children.
From yours, most truly,
Thomas G. Price

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