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…………









Sept. 7, 1868 Thomas Price to John Benjamin-1823


South Dedham, Mass

Sept. 7, 1868

Dear John,

I have received yours of 5th April last and 2 or 3 letters before that, which I am very sorry to say that I have not answered.  I ask your pardon for this apparent neglect.

Now I need to tell you how I have been situated of late.  I have been working still at Chickering & ___.  I leave South Dedham every morning in the 10 minutes before 6 o’clock train and I don’t arrive home until a quarter before 8 o’clock in the evening.  Such long days’ work make one unfit for anything but to lay down and sleep to get ready to rise the next morning at half past 4 o’clock possibly.  This kind of work so closely as I have done has made me to put off writing to any friends from time to time, and many months have passed away.

I received a letter from Mr. Gleave in February last.  I answered it today.  They were all well at that time.  He stated in his letter that he is asked a great deal that he was better. I made part of his time at home he was at ___ ___ where he ___.   He had then been absent from home about eleven days.   I stated in the letter that I wrote to him today that your little boy Frank had been sick, but that he was better at the time that you wrote to me, and that you were enquiring about him (Mr. Gleave), and that you would like to hear from some of your old friends.   We are all very sorry to hear that your little son Rob has been sick.  We hope that he is now quite well, and we hope that you are all well. 

We have had a very trying time in our family since last spring.  Our youngest daughter ____ was taken sick in February last and she has been very sick and low and all, but thanks to the Almighty she is very much better now.  Dr. Burgess of Dedham attended her.  Our grief and our anxiety has been greater than we can ever tell anyone.

I am very sorry to hear about your father & house being burned down.  It is a great loss for him.  It is luck that he is in the midst of his relatives and friends.   And I am very glad to hear that Edwin is doing well in Chicago.  I am glad you are pleased with the little papers for the children.  The Flintshire Observer is sent to you.  Sometimes it is my wife and children that sends them to you.  They talk a great deal about you.  We shall be very glad to hear from you soon.  My family unites with me in kind love to you and to Mrs. Benjamin and your dear children. 

From yours most respectfully,

Thomas G. Price



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