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…………

July 31, 1865 Thomas Price to John Benjamin-1823

South Dedham, Mass
July 31st, 1865
Dear John,
My dear wife has received your kind letter of 17th inst.  This makes two letters we have received from you since I wrote to you last.   I feel ashamed of myself because I have not written to you long ago.  I hope you will excuse any procrastination this time.    
We are often talking about you.  We have sent you several newspapers. We hope you have received them.  We shall send you two more with this letter and in the future I will try to be more punctual in my correspondence with you. 
I am still at Mass Chickering & Sand Plaine Forte Manufacturing and I like to be there very much, but I still live in South Dedham.   I have a season ticket and I go to Boston daily in the car.  Tis the best shop I ever had; I never was in a shop I liked better. There is some three persons in the company with David Baker and he makes the fourth and they are doing some little business in the old shop.  I have heard that Mr. Russell is doing well.  He has a factory in Charleston machining chamber furniture and has a ware room in Boston. 
The Everetts Mill was burned to the ground about two months ago and they are not going to build again.  They were insured to a large amount.  I think it is to about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and it is rumored they will leave South Dedham.  Most people think the building was set on fire.  Haly Mouse & Boyden have removed their business to Boston and the Everetts are now filling up their old shop to carry on business on a small scale.  The talk is that they will not be there long.
I have not heard from Mr. Gleave since I talked to you last, but we got papers from there and I send some to him.  My health has not been good for a long while and I did not feel as though I had a word to say to anyone, but I feel better at the present time and I think I shall write there soon.
We are always very glad to receive a letter from you and we shall be very glad to hear from you again soon.  We are very happy to hear that you are well.  My dear wife’s health is better at present than it has been for some time.  The children are all well and we all unite in kind love to you and your dear family.
From yours truly,
T.G. Price

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