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…………









Jan. 2, 1870 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823

Chicago
Jan. 2, 1870
Dear Brother & Sister,
I have been so busy that I have had very little time to write to you since I received your last letter.  We all went out to Belvidere to spend Christmas and I can assure you that we had a very nice time and Jamie (Frances’s sister) was married. We got home on Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock and we found a letter here from Richard’s sister in which she says that mother died on the 5th day of December, but did not give any of the particulars and so I expect to hear from father every day, but I expect that he feels so bad that he delays writing.   Just as soon as I hear from him I will write to you again.   I am sorry that I could not go home before mother died but it can’t be helped now and I don’t suppose that father will live long now mother is gone, although I should like very much to see him before he was taken away from us.  There would be nothing in this world that would [give] me greater pleasure than to meet all my relations once more, and if God gives me health and other things permit, I shall go to see them all and I should have gone next summer only for my building a house this fall.  And it has taken all of my means to do so. 
Jamie and her husband has been here ever since last Thursday and Henry Albright’s wife & daughter they went off today.  Jamie is going home Tuesday. 
We have been living in our new house for two weeks.  We like it very much.  I have got a horse and buggy and we ride up and down to the mill every day.  My mare you ought to have.  She is very large, only 5 years old and weighs about 1,300 lbs. and is a good traveler.   I paid $150 for her but is worth $200.  I keep her in a neighbor’s barn.  I am going to build one soon.  The carpenter just has to get through with the house and I think I will make a bargain with for the barn. 
I must close for the present in love to you all, hoping this will find you all in good health as this leave us very well indeed.  Thanks for the same at all times.
Yours affectionately,
Edwin
PS – Since I wrote above I received a letter from father and I enclose it in this for you.  And so I had no object in sending Richard’s sister letter to you for there is nothing of interest in it for you.  Write soon……..
E Benjamin

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